DRAFT DAY DISCUSSION 2026 NFL Draft Day 3

[upstater1]

With the NCAA getting sued left and right, McCoy would make a ton more money if he sued them and returned to college. He should back out of the draft right now.

 

[Real fan 02]

Ha!

Jacas game is similar to Dremont Jones a big, physical, strong, tough player who plays all 3 downs had 11 sacks last year.. he's projecting to be a day 1 starter.. with the current depth at edge he clearly is probably our best edge defender outside of Jones right now. I can see him starting opposite Jones.

 

[Real fan 02]

Who are the FA LB's still out there? I'm thinking that any LB we pick today is like closing our eyes and throwing a dart at the target. Why not go after a guy who has at least NFL experience to fill in and maybe he can become the next Ninkovich and just take the BPA and look to next year's draft for LB help.

Devin white LB would be the pick of the remaining FAs still out there. Championship pedigree and has played at a high level. Once the draft is over Vrabel should be inquiring.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

As far as Boutte goes, there are no WR's left that are close to what Boutte is. I think teams will come calling with 4th round offers.
But the Pats need to be 100% sure AJ Brown is in the bag.

We trade Boutte today for a 26 4th and we lose leverage with Philly in a potential trade.

If we’re gonna move him I’d rather do it after the AJB trade is complete for a 27 pick.

 

[manxman2601]

An athletic 3-tech - a rotational piece/backup for Milton Williams - is another good possibility. Almost all their DT pre-draft contacts at DT are for this style of tackle.

 

[Uptown]

 

[borisman]

We trade Boutte today for a 26 4th and we lose leverage with Philly in a potential trade.

If we’re gonna move him I’d rather do it after the AJB trade is complete for a 27 pick.

I said in my post that "the Pats need to be 100% sure AJ Brown is in the bag" before trading Boutte. There has to be an agreed upon deal already. I know that Baltimore pissed on such a deal already but I trust Howie to be a man of his word. Brown is goner. That much is clear with all the WR's Philly added.

 

[patsinthesnow]

•The pats aren’t paying a 3rd WR $15M+ APY so Boutte is gone next year
•Kyle Williams was just drafted 69th overall & complements Brown/Doubs better with his speed to open up more of the field as a WR3
•McDaniels loves Hollins. Even though he’ll be playing less I still expect him to get snaps as WR4.

I think it makes sense to deal Boutte. They could keep him for a year but he’d be a part-time player especially with them fielding 3 capable TEs and a FB now.

 

[reflexblue]

There's been no more talk about a Boutte trade. Maybe there isn't good value to be had there.

I never understood the booty bashing

 

[Rob0729]

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

So far we’ve taken 3 players on the younger side who have only played for 1 college their entire career.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[farn]

By the time we pick in r5 if he’s on the board the potential reward is worth the draft capital.

I could be wrong, but ppl think he’s good to go for 2026 and the problem is long term help ? I remember C Stork and WR Malcolm being bottom half picks who helped NE win a SB.

If we can get one really good year out of a 5th rounder : I’m very much in. My gut ? Another team will feel the same way in the 4th.

This team was in the SB. A talented defender is totally worth it. I’d consider it a one year price it FA type deal.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

I said in my post that "the Pats need to be 100% sure AJ Brown is in the bag" before trading Boutte. There has to be an agreed upon deal already. I know that Baltimore pissed on such a deal already but I trust Howie to be a man of his word. Brown is goner. That much is clear with all the WR's Philly added.

I wouldn’t trust him at all. His job is to improve the eagles by any means necessary. If we give away leverage he’ll pounce.

 

[manxman2601]

The Raiders already have two of my binkies. It's going to be Keionte Scott isn't it?

 

[patfanken]

Ok, so you don't trust our scouts and evaluation. While I agree that any player chosen today is like throwing a dart at a target, I don't agree that we shouldn't draft a LB if he is BPA on our board. In fact, I think that it is (and should be) likely that we trade up yet again.

I favor trying to find a trade partner in the mid or late fourth. The cost would be our 5th and a couple of 6ths. This player would make the team and be developed into a player who would contribute in Vrabel's system.

My bottom line is that I believe that our staff can find a LB who will likely help the team. Perhaps, this contribution won't be much as a rookie, but that's OK. As an aside, drafting a LB in the 4th or 5th is a very low-cost, low-risk option.
----------------
Finally, drafting a LB does NOT preclude signing one in free agency. Certainly, Vrabel is looking and could sign one before camp, during camp or even the day after the final cut.

2026 Linebacker Free Agents

Tracking the status and signings of all 2026 Linebacker free agents, including total value, average and guarantees.

www.spotrac.com

While I admit to a bit of hyperbole in my comment, it comes from a strong belief that by and large those picks in rounds 5-7 ARE largely developmental picks and you RARELY find anyone who will help you beyond ST's in their rookie season. That is why those 2 picks in the 4th were important to me. I see the need at LB for immediate help for THIS season.

Now I understand that those picks filled a use getting us our current 3 draftees, well that is not going to happen now and I don't want us picking a random developmental LB at the bottom of the draft just to "fill a need" when there might be a better prospect available. At this point it really should be all about BPA because its hard to figure out "needs" when you are talking 2 or 3 years down the road.

That being said, that list you provided (thanks) looks like there are several targets that could be used for a short term fix for this need. Names like Matt Milano, Logan Wilson, Devon Bush, or Bobby Okereke are just some of the names that popped off the list. Not the biggest names there but I wasn't looking for anyone over 32 for this short term job.

Thanks again for the list, it was a better group than I thought it would be.

 

[upstater1]

Have no idea why we're trying to get rid of our second most productive WR last year.

He has broken out.

He may give us MORE than Doubs this coming year.

 

[BobDigital]

Bad move. Just pick the guy you want. Especailly when there is 1 clear best player. Which i think there is.

 

[varjao]

We have no 4th round picks, and I love 4th round for value BUTTTT...high chances we don't draft the guys we drafted in the 1st and 2nd round without those trade ups. This front office is smart and know the business. So much better than the old Belichick method, no disrespect but I don't miss any of that.

We got 3 potential starters from now on they can do whatever they want.

If Nussmeier slids to the later rounds I wouldn't mind, guy was a gunslinger in LSU.