I like the way you think. This is very strategic.
You are too kind.
"Protect the Drake" is priority #1 for me. I would like to build out the strongest deepest, most athletic OL in the NFL. I would like it in place by 2027. It is even more important than DL/EDGE. IMO, the Pats lost SBs in 2007, 2011, 2017 and 2025 primarily due to OL breakdowns.
I think we are 60% of the way there, at least for starters. Will Campbell, AVT and Jared Wilson are all young, athletic, and under contract through at least 2028. Ben Brown is a solid depth piece.
Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses are not long term solutions, IMO. That means we need to add starting RG and RT in the next 2 years, along with depth at both tackle and guard. Of those, RT is the more critical position, both in terms of value and priority, with Morgan Moses very unlikely beyond 2026.
RT:
2026 players capable of being immediate starters include Monroe Freeling, Francis Mauigoa, Max Iheanachor, Caleb Lomu, and Blake Miller. Spencer Fano and Kadyn Proctor are also possibilities, but project better inside, IMO. All 7 will go top 40, all could be gone before 31. There is a big dropoff after that.
2026 developmental prospects include Dametrious Crownover, Austin Barber, and Travis Burke. I am not convinced they will become starters, but they have a chance and should provide depth. JC Davis and Fa'alili Fa'amoe are also options, but I think they project better inside.
2027 prospects would need to be ready to start immediately. That, and the importance of the position, makes me favor taking a starting RT at 31 if one of the top prospects is available. If none lasts, the alternative would be to draft a developmental RT day 2-3 and/or address the position in 2027.
2027 options include Trevor Goosby, Jordan Sutton, Jacarius Peak, Niki Prongos, and PJ Williams. All capable of becoming quality RTs. Goosby will likely go top 10. Peak is coming off sn ACL tear.
RG:
This could be any IOL position, as AVT (or even Jared Wilson) could move to RG, but RG is most likely, as I like AVT at LG and Wilson at C, and we have Mike Onwenu signed through 2026.
Extending Mike Onwenu is an option, but I do not feel he has the athleticism to match the left side of the line.
Alternatives include adding a starter in 2026, adding depth in 2026, and adding a starter in 2027. My preference would be to add depth this year, and a starting caliber IOL in 2027 unless Onwenu is extended, or a FA option is found.
2026 starters include Spencer Fano, Francis Mauigoa, Kadyn Proctor, Olaivavega Ioane, Chase Bisontis, Emmanuel Pregnon, Gennings Dunker and possibly Keylon Rutledge. The first 4 would probably cost a day 1 pick.
2026 depth IOL include Jalen Farmer, Billy Schrauth, and Micah Morris. JC Davis and Fa'alili Fa'amoe are also tackle conversions options.
2027 options include Austin Siereveld, Carter Smith, Cayden Green and Kade Pieper. These were all very high on my 2026 list until they chose to return to school. They are all very versatile and athletic.
My plan:
1. Take any of Freeling, Mauigoa, Iheanachor, Lomu or Miller (probably in that order) at 31 if they are available. Having dominant bookend tackles and quality tackle depth is that important, and they are all worth the pick.
2. Consider Fano or Proctor at 31 if the coaching staff believes they could be dominant at either RT or IOL.
3. If RT is addressed at 31, add a day 3 IOL such as Farmer, Schrauth, Morris, Davis or Fa'amoe. Make IOL a day 2 priority in 2027 (Siereveld. Smith, Green, Pieper).
4. If RT is not addressed early, consider developmental options day 2-3, and make it a priority on day 1-2 in 2027.
5. If RT is not addressed day 1-2 in 2026, consider starting RG options day 2 (Bisontis, Pregnon, Dunker).
I think it is essential to get a starting RT through the draft in 2026 or 2027. Moses will be lucky to last through 2026, and finding a quality tackle in FA is nearly impossible.
RG/IOL is important, but not nearly as critical. The Pats have AVT, Wilson, Onwenu and Brown. RG is usually the easiest position to fill and the least critical; if a quality long-term starter cannot be found in the 2026 or 2027 drafts, then a FA stopgap is an alternative, though I hope to build a dominant OL through the draft.
