2026 UDFA Thread - aka Best Thread Of The Year

[n1997y]

Mods, could one of you please edit the title to remove the aka now that the quality has deteriorated so badly that it’s no longer a true description of the thread?

 

[mgteich]

Miller?

To be clear, I think that the #3 and #4 KR should be on the Practice Squad rather than being a #6 WR or an extra RB.

I really like the drafting of Miller and Merton. I think that we would have tried to sign them as UDFA's if we didn't draft them.

And I do expect Miller to beat our Jennings and Larison, but that should be a good competition.

 

[rkarp1]

To be clear, I think that the #3 and #4 KR should be on the Practice Squad rather than being a #6 WR or an extra RB.

I really like the drafting of Miller and Merton. I think that we would have tried to sign them as UDFA's if we didn't draft them.

And I do expect Miller to beat our Jennings and Larison, but that should be a good competition.

you on the one hand say a 7th round pick is the teams 3rd RB, is on the 53 man roster, and is the teams primary KR. you also really like Miller.
yet you say on the other hand do not draft him and wait for UDFA period and hope he is willing to sign here?

I find that those late round picks are priority udfa's that you firmly secure, rather risk another team offering more, or a preferred location to play for that player.

 

[DaBruinz]

To be clear, I think that the #3 and #4 KR should be on the Practice Squad rather than being a #6 WR or an extra RB.

I really like the drafting of Miller and Merton. I think that we would have tried to sign them as UDFA's if we didn't draft them.

And I do expect Miller to beat our Jennings and Larison, but that should be a good competition.

PS players only have 3 elevation games before they have to be signed to the Pro roster if the team wants to use them in games further. The only reason that Johnson was put back on the PS was because those elevations are reset for the play-offs.

So, what do you do for the Other games????

 

[Wozzy]

yeah. he didn't give up catches, yards and TD's. that was someone else

The Patriots zone defense was terrible, that was a function of execution and poor alignment. This is the real reason Kevin Byard was brought in here, to QB the defensive backfield.

In man coverage the backfield was among the best in the NFL… including Marcus Jones.

 

[Wozzy]

To be clear, I think that the #3 and #4 KR should be on the Practice Squad rather than being a #6 WR or an extra RB.

I really like the drafting of Miller and Merton. I think that we would have tried to sign them as UDFA's if we didn't draft them.

And I do expect Miller to beat our Jennings and Larison, but that should be a good competition.

Jennings is a non factor. He has reverted to the PS numerous times and nobody tried to poach him. No offense to him but there’s nothing special there.

Myles Montgomery is more competition for that third RB/KR spot. I’ll give the edge to Jam because he probably understands advanced pass blocking schemes better, but maybe not. Myles is talented.

 

[rkarp1]

The Patriots zone defense was terrible, that was a function of execution and poor alignment. This is the real reason Kevin Byard was brought in here, to QB the defensive backfield.

In man coverage the backfield was among the best in the NFL… including Marcus Jones.

Jennings is a non factor. He has reverted to the PS numerous times and nobody tried to poach him. No offense to him but there’s nothing special there.

Myles Montgomery is more competition for that third RB/KR spot. I’ll give the edge to Jam because he probably understands advanced pass blocking schemes better, but maybe not. Myles is talented.

interesting salary comp here

 

[Wozzy]

interesting salary comp here

If you’re a good prospect getting drafted in the last few rounds you’re getting screwed.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

If you’re a good prospect getting drafted in the last few rounds you’re getting screwed.

Not exactly. All of the rookies NE drafted last year who made the 53 out of camp have earned more than Chism did.

 

[mgteich]

PS players only have 3 elevation games before they have to be signed to the Pro roster if the team wants to use them in games further. The only reason that Johnson was put back on the PS was because those elevations are reset for the play-offs.

So, what do you do for the Other games????

I don't think that we need to have 3 dedicated KR's on the 53-man roster, do you?

I do NOT expect to need to elevate a KR every game. I do believe the #3 RB should be a kick returner.

 

[mgteich]

you on the one hand say a 7th round pick is the teams 3rd RB, is on the 53 man roster, and is the teams primary KR. you also really like Miller.
yet you say on the other hand do not draft him and wait for UDFA period and hope he is willing to sign here?

I find that those late round picks are priority udfa's that you firmly secure, rather risk another team offering more, or a preferred location to play for that player.

I don't think that I ever said that we shouldn't have drafted Miller. I really liked the pick.

I'll try to be more clear. I think that the primary uses of 6th and 7th round picks is to choose UDFA level players for two reasons: as special teamers and to lock in our favorite UDFA's to a contract so we don't have to compete for them as UDFA's.
=============
THAT BEING SAID,
sometimes a player is available who has fallen from earlier rounds that could have a future as a backup or even starter. Example here are Boutte, Douglas and Crownover.

 

[DaBruinz]

I don't think that we need dedicated 3 KR's on the 53-man roster, do you?

I do NOT expect to need to elevate a KR every game. I do believe the #3 Rb should be a kick returner.

You did not say #3KR and #4KR. You said that you prefer the KR to be RBs and #3 and #4 to be on the PS. It was clear you were referring to the RBs.

 

[Wozzy]

Not exactly. All of the rookies NE drafted last year (except Swinson) have earned more than Chism did.

Earnings in 2025:

Kobee Minor: $514,491
Marcus Bryant: $993,480
Efton Chism: $870,152

The top two guys were drafted. Marcus Bryant was on the 53 all season, Chism didn’t join until midseason.

 

[DaBruinz]

Earnings in 2025:

Kobee Minor: $514,491
Marcus Bryant: $993,480
Efton Chism: $870,152

The top two guys were drafted. Marcus Bryant was on the 53 all season, Chism didn’t join until midseason.

Not exactly. All of the rookies NE drafted last year (except Swinson) have earned more than Chism did.

Chism made the team out of camp. He didn't see his 1st Game Day Activation until week 6.

Kobee Minor was originally cut at the end of camp and assigned to the PS. The Pats signed him to the 53 on 1/1/2026 for the play-offs. Minor saw 3 Game Day elevations during the season. Sept 13th, Sept 21st, and Dec 27th.

Bradyn Swinson was also cut at the end of camp. Swinson did not see any game day elevations prior to the Pats signing him to the 53 on November 15th.

Neither Minor nor Swinson earned more than Chism.

 

[mgteich]

You did not say #3KR and #4KR. You said that you prefer the KR to be RBs and #3 and #4 to be on the PS. It was clear you were referring to the RBs.

back to normal dabruinz. Oh well back to ignore.

I have even posted Miller as the 3rd RB. I've posted for many many years. I have never suggested that we shouldn't have a 3rd RB. on the 53-man roster.

But you can believe what you want. Hurray. You win. bye

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Chism made the team out of camp. He didn't see his 1st Game Day Activation until week 6.

Kobee Minor was originally cut at the end of camp and assigned to the PS. The Pats signed him to the 53 on 1/1/2026 for the play-offs. Minor saw 3 Game Day elevations during the season. Sept 13th, Sept 21st, and Dec 27th.

Bradyn Swinson was also cut at the end of camp. Swinson did not see any game day elevations prior to the Pats signing him to the 53 on November 15th.

Neither Minor nor Swinson earned more than Chism.

I forgot Minor didn't make the roster. In any case, my point is that even late-round rookies who make the 53 are better off than the highest-guarantee UDFAs.

 

[rkarp1]

back to normal dabruinz. Oh well back to ignore.

I have even posted Miller as the 3rd RB. I've posted for many many years. I have never suggested that we shouldn't a 3rd RB.

But you can believe what you want. Hurray. You win . bye

DAB takes a lot of L's
go easy on him

 

[DaBruinz]

back to normal dabruinz. Oh well back to ignore.

I have even posted Miller as the 3rd RB. I've posted for many many years. I have never suggested that we shouldn't have a 3rd RB. on the 53-man roster.

But you can believe what you want. Hurray. You win. bye

WTF does you posting for many years have to do with you not saying what you mean and then blathering stupidly?

If by "back to normal " you mean holding you accountable for the blathering posts, you make, then Yes.

Your posts did not say a 3rd RB on the main roster. You said the 3rd and 4th RBs on the PS. It's above. Not that reality matters to you, MG.

OH. I'm so hurt that you've blocked me. Whatever will I do. *SMH*

 

[DaBruinz]

DAB takes a lot of L's
go easy on him

*ROFLMAO* You have no clue WTF you're talking about. Yet again. But then, you've never owned up to being wrong in your life. Kinda like my ***** Ex-Wife. She could do no wrong and nothing was ever her fault. Even when other people told her she was talking out her arse.

You really should follow the old adage: "It's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt".

 

[rkarp1]

*ROFLMAO* You have no clue WTF you're talking about. Yet again. But then, you've never owned up to being wrong in your life. Kinda like my ***** Ex-Wife. She could do no wrong and nothing was ever her fault. Even when other people told her she was talking out her arse.

You really should follow the old adage: "It's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt".

of course I have a clue
you are wrong more than you are right
you are still a fun read on a chat board, but wrong is wrong, and thats you