2026 UDFA Thread - aka Best Thread Of The Year

[Wozzy]

I have always thought the udfa interest was over blown. typically a development project, that the team does not want to expose.
I thought Ponder showed some promise. imo, Chism was an emergency KR when others injured, and was reliable, if not very effective.
certainly year 2 offers the hope for improvement, but nothing is certain, especially a roster spot.

I honestly see no shot at an udfa WR on the 53 man this year, unless 3 other roster moves are made first (trade, release, IR).

The hype for an UDFA isn’t much different than the hype for a 5th, 6th or 7th rounder. The expectations are lower than early round picks, but if you like a prospect it doesn’t matter what round he was taken in.

I was pounding the table last offseason for them to draft CJ Dippre in the late rounds, they got him in free agency. I still think he’s the best chance at a dominant blocking TE on the roster now.

Also Ponder and Chism didn’t get lucky, they earned their snaps.

 

[Toofy]

The hype for an UDFA isn’t much different than the hype for a 5th, 6th or 7th rounder. The expectations are lower than early round picks, but if you like a prospect it doesn’t matter what round he was taken in.

I was pounding the table last offseason for them to draft CJ Dippre in the late rounds, they got him in free agency. I still think he’s the best chance at a dominant blocking TE on the roster now.

Also Ponder and Chism didn’t get lucky, they earned their snaps.

I think our cupboard was barren. So lots of rookies got play time and I believe Vrabel was planning for 2026 though he did not voice it out explicitly.

We had a easy schedule and lots of things around league fell our way . This year chances of UDFA making team will be remote maybe 1 at max. Last year close to 4-6 folks I believe . That just talks about lack of contribution from other draft picks .

Since we have 10 contributors from prior class and possibly 4-6 from this years class , UDFA options are pretty limited.

 

[Wozzy]

I think our cupboard was barren. So lots of rookies got play time and I believe Vrabel was planning for 2026 though he did not voice it out explicitly.

We had a easy schedule and lots of things around league fell our way . This year chances of UDFA making team will be remote maybe 1 at max. Last year close to 4-6 folks I believe . That just talks about lack of contribution from other draft picks .

Since we have 10 contributors from prior class and possibly 4-6 from this years class , UDFA options are pretty limited.

Nah… these rookies played well. It wasn’t just a case of the warm body gets a job.

Schedule be damned, they beat good teams as well as bad. You don’t fall backwards into the best record in the NFL and a Super Bowl appearance. The Dolphins and Jets played the same schedule the Pats did.

The front office did a great job with the team build, they signed smart free agents and drafted well. The polar opposite of the year prior.

 

[DaBruinz]

I think our cupboard was barren. So lots of rookies got play time and I believe Vrabel was planning for 2026 though he did not voice it out explicitly.

We had a easy schedule and lots of things around league fell our way . This year chances of UDFA making team will be remote maybe 1 at max. Last year close to 4-6 folks I believe . That just talks about lack of contribution from other draft picks .

Since we have 10 contributors from prior class and possibly 4-6 from this years class , UDFA options are pretty limited.

Vrabel said it wasn't a 1 year rebuild. He's stuck to his plan despite the success the Pats had in 2025. Which is the right thing to do.

With having read up that Rizy has played every position on the O-line, he's got a shot to stick as a back-up guard behind Brown. His ability to play center will make him a likely PS candidate if he doesn't make the 53.

The Pats have 8 IOL on the Roster now.
Wilson, AVT, Onwenu, Brown, Rupcich, Wallace, Butler, Rizy. The 5th IOL spot is wide open. Rupcich (OG/OT), Wallace (OG/OT) and Rizy (OC/OG/OT) have a lot of versatility. Butler is an OG only as far as I know.

The Pats clearly saw something in Butler to bring him back after nearly 3 months to the PS and then re-sign him with a Future's Contract.

Khalil Jacobs has a shot at the team. The fact that the team is lacking in LB depth will help with that. Neither Muma nor Britt are guaranteed spots.

Myles Montgomery has an outside shot at the 3rd/4th RB spot. Yes, it means beating out Terrell Jennings and Jam Miller, but given a fair shake, he could surprise.

The Pats clearly think they need to improve the depth behind Gonzalez, Davis, and Jones. That's why they signed Vildor, drafted Prunty, and signed Canada and Harris. Woods and Minor clearly need to up their games because there are 4 hungry guys looking to take their jobs..

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Also Ponder and Chism didn’t get lucky, they earned their snaps.

Exactly. Both of them looked like they belonged on the field (though, in Chism's case, that was as a WR not a KR).

 

[Toofy]

Exactly. Both of them looked like they belonged on the field (though, in Chism's case, that was as a WR not a KR).

I feel Chism might get cut this year unless he blows socks out of everyone in tc and otas

 

[mgteich]

I feel Chism might get cut this year unless he blows socks out of everyone in tc and otas

Even then, he might get traded.

 

[Wozzy]

Exactly. Both of them looked like they belonged on the field (though, in Chism's case, that was as a WR not a KR).

Versatility and the ability to help the team anywhere you can gets you on the field. I don’t understand how people seem to have flipped on Chism in one season. He played well for them going all the way back to preseason. When his number was called he answered.

I’d prefer a RB return kickoffs, but Chism is a tough hard runner with the ball in his hands and he gets open as a receiver. I’d like to see more of him in the slot. It will be a tough battle among the WR’s this preseason, there is a lot of good talent there.

 

[rkarp1]

Even then, he might get traded.

yeah I agree. or more likely, refuse a PS spot and try his hand on the open market
I see Chism currently as a 6th to 8th option at WR pending Brown coming in, and perhaps Dixon showing he should not be exposed to the PS

 

[n1997y]

There was nothing argumentative about my response. The only one playing an EGO game is you. Which is why you attempted to shift focus from Dixon's actions to the QBs throws.

If you go back and look, most of the plays "hit Dixon in stride". My comments were referring to how he reacts to the ball when it's getting near him. Such as several of the End zone ones his hands are down low and close to his body when he finally catches the ball. He lets the ball come to him instead of getting his arms out to snatch the ball out of the air.

Sorry, if it wasn’t your intent that’s still how it came off to me. You seemed more concerned with refuting my point than understanding it.

My question had nothing to do with shifting the focus away from your point. You have studied the prospects much more than I have, and I was wondering about Dixon’s style. Does he tend to run to a spot and stop, and if he does would be benefit from getting the ball on the move? I know that would be a pretty basic flaw, but we know he’s rough and needs development so I was trying to ask if better utilization would help compensate for it.

Your last parargraph gave a really good explanation of what’s going on to shape your evaluation. Thanks. That was very helpful. It would’ve been even more helpful in your first reply to me so we could’ve not had this misunderstanding. It seems to me that coaching would be able to help, and should make it a point of emphasis. Keeping his hands low and closer to his body seems like it will give NFL quality CBs a much better chance at PBUs, so I would hope coaches will see it and correct it. Do you think there’s any chance of that, or is he so rough they’ll wash him out before investing that much in him? How is his overall attitude? Will he be receptive and a quick learner? Do you think we will see him on the PS, or is he too far on the wrong sidebar the bubble?

 

[n1997y]

Myles Montgomery has an outside shot at the 3rd/4th RB spot. Yes, it means beating out Terrell Jennings and Jam Miller, but given a fair shake, he could surprise.

How about Larison at RB? I know that losing rookie year on IR is often the kiss of death because of lost development time, I’m still wondering if he’ll be able to compete for the roster after essentially a redshirt year.

 

[n1997y]

The Pats clearly think they need to improve the depth behind Gonzalez, Davis, and Jones. That's why they signed Vildor, drafted Prunty, and signed Canada and Harris. Woods and Minor clearly need to up their games because there are 4 hungry guys looking to take their jobs..

How do you think Dial stacks up? He’s another one that seemed to flash some potential after he was drafted, and then got hurt so he lost a year on IR. IIRC his RAS was good. Will he be good enough to compete if he didn’t lose anything physically to injury?

 

[n1997y]

What is Culver Stockton?

Fair play to the regional scout. I bet that school was low on his visit list.

Fun fact. If Dixon makes the roster he will be the second Culver-Stockton alum on it.

I just noticed that Andrew Rupcich is from Culver-Stockton.

 

[rkarp1]

How about Larison at RB? I know that losing rookie year on IR is often the kiss of death because of lost development time, I’m still wondering if he’ll be able to compete for the roster after essentially a redshirt year.

I think Larison is firmly in the mix, and will need to show his blocking has improved, he can catch out of the backfield (supposedly a strength) and play ST

 

[rkarp1]

How do you think Dial stacks up? He’s another one that seemed to flash some potential after he was drafted, and then got hurt so he lost a year on IR. IIRC his RAS was good. Will he be good enough to compete if he didn’t lose anything physically to injury?

I think if he is 100% the same physically as prior to injury, he is a roster lock at arguably the 2nd thinnest position group on the team

 

[mgteich]

How about Larison at RB? I know that losing rookie year on IR is often the kiss of death because of lost development time, I’m still wondering if he’ll be able to compete for the roster after essentially a redshirt year.

Larison will be given every opportunity to become the first patriot this century to come back from a rookie IR year and become a contributor.

 

[rkarp1]

Larison will be given every opportunity to become the first patriot this century to come back from a rookie IR year and become a contributor.

honestly, I thought the udfa class from last year, including Larison, Lampe, Ponder, Chism, Dippre was stronger than this years (I was also high on Gee Scott and J Conley last year)

 

[n1997y]

Larison will be given every opportunity to become the first patriot this century to come back from a rookie IR year and become a contributor.

I was going to add Dial too, but I think Dial made it through his rookie season and hit IR in camp for his sophomore year IIRC.

Would still be great if both of them can bounce back from injury to become solid roster members.

 

[DaBruinz]

How about Larison at RB? I know that losing rookie year on IR is often the kiss of death because of lost development time, I’m still wondering if he’ll be able to compete for the roster after essentially a redshirt year.

I didn't mean to leave him out. I've mentioned him in other posts.

 

[DaBruinz]

How do you think Dial stacks up? He’s another one that seemed to flash some potential after he was drafted, and then got hurt so he lost a year on IR. IIRC his RAS was good. Will he be good enough to compete if he didn’t lose anything physically to injury?

I think that Dial is behind the 8-ball. He's coming off a ruptured ACL. He should be to the point where he's running and cutting. The good thing for him is that he's likely to clear waivers if he cuts cut at camp. It will be interesting to see how he does.