Top needs. Edge, Safety, CB, LB. I think Landry, Byard, Davis and Elliss are not being brought back.
CB -Maybe Punty can be a surprise and be ready to take that CB2 spot and that be amazing. (Gonzo isn't going anywhere no matter what happens with his contract this year). So there is a chance depending on how this year goes CB becomes less of a need.
LB - Elliss has simply not been worth the contract. They can easily bring in a vet for relatively cheap money (9M-11M) and get good production if they don't feel like drafting. LBs are undervalued in the market right now and I support taking advantage of that.
Safety - IDK Maybe they bring Byard back another year if he looks good this year? All depends.. but they probably want to draft there anyway. I am hesitant to take a safety in round 1 unless they are very special.
Edge - Unless Jacas turns into an absolute terror they will need to address this again. This is very possibly pick 1 for the Pats.
The interesting thing is all the need spots are on D. Usually teams don't just go pure offense or defense the first 3 rounds. But the Pats showed they were willing to do that in 2025. Their first 4 picks were all offense. I could absolutely see the reverse happening here. Seeing as we already used a 2028 first rounder on a WR.
My ideal draft is something like...
32 - Trade down (I don't see the edge who falls at 32 worth taking.. so i take a trade down to recoup a pick for 2028.
46 - Clev Lubin - Edge - A guy i really liked last year. I thought he was an all around better version of Mason Thomas who went 40th overall in a much weaker draft. It wouldn't surprise me if he finds his way into round 1... but i would hesitate a bit to take him at 32 without more tape.
64 - Suntarine Perkins - LB/Edge Hybrid - He kind of split time between these roles... some ED... some OLB some MLB. I just think he is a good player. If he gets a full year at MLB this year which i think he might, he will be a good pick.
4th rounder? John Henry Daley - Edge - He has everything you want outside of a noticeable lack of bend. This keeps him from being a first round talent to me. But looking as his spin move which is already elite for college, his hand eye, fast reflexes, power and ability to use good hand technique, i think he can be a good starting edge,
I haven't even looked at anyone else to have the slightly opinion on Safety or CB.
