Dane Brugler 2026 The Beast

[mayoclinic]

In that scenario, best case for me:

- Iheanachor at 31
- Trade up from 63 to grab Rutledge or Pregnon
- Trade 95 to Giants for Kayvon Thibodeaux
- Grab Will Kacmarek at 131

You would have a monster OL with Campbell-AVT-Wilson-Rutledge/Pregnon-Moses/Iheanachor, plus Kacmarek, Hill and Gilliam. The offense would pound opponents.

EDGE would be set.

Add LB, S, DT, RB and WR depth from 171 on.

We won't get everyone, or fill all needs. But that draft would transform the identity of the team.

Rob Staton on building around the lines:

 

[DaBruinz]

In that scenario, best case for me:

- Iheanachor at 31
- Trade up from 63 to grab Rutledge or Pregnon
- Trade 95 to Giants for Kayvon Thibodeaux
- Grab Will Kacmarek at 131

You would have a monster OL with Campbell-AVT-Wilson-Rutledge/Pregnon-Moses/Iheanachor, plus Kacmarek, Hill and Gilliam. The offense would pound opponents.

EDGE would be set.

Add LB, S, DT, RB and WR depth from 171 on.

We won't get everyone, or fill all needs. But that draft would transform the identity of the team.

Rob Staton on building around the lines:

I'm not certain that Edge would be set with Thibodeaux. He's had 2 consecutive years of injuries. He's not been remotely close to the force he was in 2023.. In fact, his sack totals have tanked and his missed tackles have skyrocketed to almost 30%. I think that a 3rd round pick would be seriously over-paying for the player he is now..

 

[zimmy]

In a scenario where all our top choice are gone who are people selecting out of :

The IOL - Bisontis. Rutledge, Pregnon
The Edge group - Parker, Young, Thomas, Howell
CB - Hood, Cisse
DT - Miller, Banks, Woods, Hunter
LB - Rodriguez, Allen

These are just indicative but assume the OTs, WRs, safeties, plus Mesidor and Lawrence are gone.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Some notables from Dane Brugler's latest 7 round mock. See the pundits mock draft (fail) thread for the Patriots picks.

1. Bisontis, Lawrence and Chris Johnson make it into the back end of the first. It should be noted that Johnson is Brugler's favourite player on defense though so some bias.

2. Blake Miller and Iheanachor make it to the Pats pick. all other OTs are off the board.

3. The only leading edge rushers to make it to pick 63 are Keyron Crawford and Derrick Moore but only just. Moore goes off the board at 70.

4. Guard might be a push at 63. Rutledge goes 53, Pregnon 55, Dunker 56.

5. CJ Allen falls to 62.

6. Travis Burke goes 83, Wheatley falls to 98.

7. Roush, Klare and Delp are gone by 95. Kacmarek goes top of the 5th.

Full 2026 NFL mock draft: Dane Brugler predicts all 7 rounds and 257 picks

How will this year's NFL Draft play out? Our expert takes his best shot at predicting every pick.

www.nytimes.com

It makes a big difference picking so low in the round.

 

[manxman2601]

It makes a big difference picking so low in the round.

Yup. It means you need to pick a round ahead basically.

 

[mayoclinic]

In a scenario where all our top choice are gone who are people selecting out of :

The IOL - Bisontis. Rutledge, Pregnon
The Edge group - Parker, Young, Thomas, Howell
CB - Hood, Cisse
DT - Miller, Banks, Woods, Hunter
LB - Rodriguez, Allen

These are just indicative but assume the OTs, WRs, safeties, plus Mesidor and Lawrence are gone.

You left McDonald out of the DTs, not sure if that was on purpose, Also Golday out of the LBs, and McNeil-Warren from the S.

My preference:

1. McDonald
2. Rutledge
3. Golday
4. McNeil-Warren
5. Rodriguez
6. Jacas
7. Parker

 

[zimmy]

Yes I was working on the basis McDonald was gone.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Mesidor getting a lot of live from SF draftniks:

Top 2026 edge rusher prospects compared to 49ers greats

The 49ers could see shades of their best players in the 2026 edge rusher draft class.

ninerswire.usatoday.com

You could use those same arguments for us.
We are in win now mode too, so drafting a guy to sit on the bench isn’t ideal.
I am not in the “don’t draft a RT in the 1st group”, but it is something to consider.
If we can still land an impact edge I’m fine with OT in the first, but we really need to find a guy to get after the QB.

 

[DaBruinz]

You could use those same arguments for us.
We are in win now mode too, so drafting a guy to sit on the bench isn’t ideal.
I am not in the “don’t draft a RT in the 1st group”, but it is something to consider.
If we can still land an impact edge I’m fine with OT in the first, but we really need to find a guy to get after the QB.

I don't think that the Pats are in a "Win Now" mode.. Not in the 3rd year of Drake Maye's career. I think that Vrabel is in the "I'm still building this team" mode.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I don't think that the Pats are in a "Win Now" mode.. Not in the 3rd year of Drake Maye's career. I think that Vrabel is in the "I'm still building this team" mode.

It’s always a balance.
But there is literally zero chance Vrabel is not trying to compete for a SB this year. Of course it’s about the outyears too.
He’s a smart guy, he knows we need to improve our pass rush. If we can do that while still taking an OT at 31 then that’s fine, but Edge needs serious attention.

 

[DaBruinz]

It’s always a balance.
But there is literally zero chance Vrabel is not trying to compete for a SB this year. Of course it’s about the outyears too.
He’s a smart guy, he knows we need to improve our pass rush. If we can do that while still taking an OT at 31 then that’s fine, but Edge needs serious attention.

Hold on there. Who said anything about not trying to compete?? I said he wasn't in "Win Now" mode. I think you and I have different understandings of what "Win Now" means. To me, it means that you're stacking your team with High Priced vets at key positions and trading draft capital to bolster the team for a run this year. I do not see Vrabel being in that mode at all. I see him in the mode of "We're building this team for the long haul". What happened the previous year has no bearing going forward, but it is a sign of good things.

Having the mentality of getting younger, cheaper talent that fits his violent and aggressive model on offense and defense while adding available Free Agent pieces that the team was missing (Hill/Gilliam) fits the "I'm still building my team" model. It doesn't fit the "Win Now" model.

 

[Rdforty2]

In that scenario, best case for me:

- Iheanachor at 31
- Trade up from 63 to grab Rutledge or Pregnon
- Trade 95 to Giants for Kayvon Thibodeaux
- Grab Will Kacmarek at 131

You would have a monster OL with Campbell-AVT-Wilson-Rutledge/Pregnon-Moses/Iheanachor, plus Kacmarek, Hill and Gilliam. The offense would pound opponents.

EDGE would be set.

Add LB, S, DT, RB and WR depth from 171 on.

We won't get everyone, or fill all needs. But that draft would transform the identity of the team.

Rob Staton on building around the lines:

Seems like overkill on the OL. I understand the importance of the OL but youre placing more emphasis on '27 needs than '26. This team can compete this year. They need an impact on the field from their early picks. They cant take 2 guys who could potentially redshirt all year with their 1st 2 picks.

I can understand an OT early because at the moment, theres no stable backup at either spot. Also because of the value of OT.

But a guard should not be taken until day 3. We have a top IOL backup already. A day 3 guard is totally fine to be the 4th IOL and potential Onwenu replacement.

Also, if Iheanachor is the pick at 31, he could possibly provide you depth inside as well.

Im fine with the trade for Thibodeaux. Its taking a big hack for a home run, but its a late 3, almost a 4. I think its worth the risk.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

You could use those same arguments for us.
We are in win now mode too, so drafting a guy to sit on the bench isn’t ideal.
I am not in the “don’t draft a RT in the 1st group”, but it is something to consider.
If we can still land an impact edge I’m fine with OT in the first, but we really need to find a guy to get after the QB.

There is an argument that we should draft replacements for Moses, Onwenu, and Barmore so we don't have to resign them at high dollars in 2027. Use the Cap in 2027 for other younger FAs. But it is not ideal drafting a guy to sit on the bench, but in 2027 we would be very happy to have the 3 strong second year guys plus younger FAs. I think about these things, who knows why.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

There is an argument that we should draft replacements for Moses, Onwenu, and Barmore so we don't have to resign them at high dollars in 2027. Use the Cap in 2027 for other younger FAs. But it is not ideal drafting a guy to sit on the bench, but in 2027 we would be very happy to have the 3 strong second year guys plus younger FAs. I think about these things, who knows why.

I do too, and I have said many times you don't draft for one year.
That said we are absolutely in win now mode, and I don't see Vrabs sacrificing the now for the future.
It's a very fine line to walk, but we are absolutely good enough to compete for a SB this year. Not all teams can say that and those chances don't always come along so easily.
Who knows what will happen with injuries...etc. You have to take advantage of the now.

 

[Clonamery]

I do too, and I have said many times you don't draft for one year.
That said we are absolutely in win now mode, and I don't see Vrabs sacrificing the now for the future.
It's a very fine line to walk, but we are absolutely good enough to compete for a SB this year. Not all teams can say that and those chances don't always come along so easily.
Who knows what will happen with injuries...etc. You have to take advantage of the now.

We are ALWAYS in win now mode whether we are 4-13 or 13-4 or 1-15. We never tank. We aren't the Colts or Jets , etc.

 

[DaBruinz]

Seems like overkill on the OL. I understand the importance of the OL but youre placing more emphasis on '27 needs than '26. This team can compete this year. They need an impact on the field from their early picks. They cant take 2 guys who could potentially redshirt all year with their 1st 2 picks.

I can understand an OT early because at the moment, theres no stable backup at either spot. Also because of the value of OT.

But a guard should not be taken until day 3. We have a top IOL backup already. A day 3 guard is totally fine to be the 4th IOL and potential Onwenu replacement.

Also, if Iheanachor is the pick at 31, he could possibly provide you depth inside as well.

Im fine with the trade for Thibodeaux. Its taking a big hack for a home run, but its a late 3, almost a 4. I think its worth the risk.

In the draft scenario Mayo mentioned, he's likely trading Onwenu so that Rutledge could start and to help off-set whatever contract the Pats would have to give Thibodeaux.

 

[Rdforty2]

In the draft scenario Mayo mentioned, he's likely trading Onwenu so that Rutledge could start and to help off-set whatever contract the Pats would have to give Thibodeaux.

Theres no need to offset anything. They have plenty of cap space to absorb Thobodeaux. They could acquire Thibodeaux, keep Onwenu, and still have plenty of cash left over to still make moves.

Trading Onwenu just doesnt make sense. Its at best a lateral move. Probably a downgrade. Onwenu was our best OL last year. Even if it is lateral, it comes at the cost of a prime draft pick, which makes it a net negative.

Also, it leaves the team dangerously young on the OL. If youre replacing him with a rookie, you still have clear depth issues(and one less high draft pick). You now have 2 2nd year OL, 2 rookie OL(with Iheanachor), and depth issues. That depth either comes in the form of bottom feeder veteran FA or day 3 picks. More rookies.

I understand not planning long term with Onwenu and letting him walk in a year. But there arent many scenarios where the team is better in '26 without Onwenu. The team has cap space to spend still, even with him on-board.

This doesnt even count on what youd be getting back for Onwenu, which likely isnt much. Another '26 6th? A '27 5th? None of those are impacting the '26 team much.

The starting OL should be set. It makes some sense to draft an OT early to develop, and it makes sense to take a day 3 IOL for depth and to possibly replace Onwenu a year from now. But keeping Onwenu for '26 and using the 2nd round pick to improve the team in '26 makes the team better now. Thats important.

 

[mgteich]

Theres no need to offset anything. They have plenty of cap space to absorb Thobodeaux. They could acquire Thibodeaux, keep Onwenu, and still have plenty of cash left over to still make moves.

Trading Onwenu just doesnt make sense. Its at best a lateral move. Probably a downgrade. Onwenu was our best OL last year. Even if it is lateral, it comes at the cost of a prime draft pick, which makes it a net negative.

Also, it leaves the team dangerously young on the OL. If youre replacing him with a rookie, you still have clear depth issues(and one less high draft pick). You now have 2 2nd year OL, 2 rookie OL(with Iheanachor), and depth issues. That depth either comes in the form of bottom feeder veteran FA or day 3 picks. More rookies.

I understand not planning long term with Onwenu and letting him walk in a year. But there arent many scenarios where the team is better in '26 without Onwenu. The team has cap space to spend still, even with him on-board.

This doesnt even count on what youd be getting back for Onwenu, which likely isnt much. Another '26 6th? A '27 5th? None of those are impacting the '26 team much.

The starting OL should be set. It makes some sense to draft an OT early to develop, and it makes sense to take a day 3 IOL for depth and to possibly replace Onwenu a year from now. But keeping Onwenu for '26 and using the 2nd round pick to improve the team in '26 makes the team better now. Thats important.

To be clear, we have AVT, Onwenu, Brown and Wallace as our 2026 OG's.

1) AVT and Brown will hopefully be a solid starter and backup for 2026-2028. That is a bit to count on, but OK.

2) We are paying Onwenu $17M as a 2026 transition, similar to paying Moses.
===========================
Why isn't an OG a high priority on Day 2, and even on Day 1 if the 7 OT's and Mesidor are gone?

There are about 16 EDGE rushers rated in the top 100 (likely to drafted on the first two days). We'll get one, perhaps using a 4th to trade up from 95.

 

[Rdforty2]

To be clear, we have AVT, Onwenu, Brown and Wallace as our 2026 OG's.

1) AVT and Brown will hopefully be a solid starter and backup for 2026-2028. That is a bit to count on, but OK.

2) We are paying Onwenu $17M as a 2026 transition, similar to paying Moses.
===========================
Why isn't an OG a high priority on Day 2, and even on Day 1 if the 7 OT's and Mesidor are gone?

There are about 16 EDGE rushers rated in the top 100 (likely to drafted on the first two days). We'll get one, perhaps using a 4th to trade up from 95.

Because we have 2 starters and a good backup. A day 3 guy can fill the #4 spot. Onwenu himself was a day 3 pick that started right away. You can find immediate depth on day 3 for a guard spot.

I dont even factor Wallace into the discussion.

Why would you use a Rd 1 or Rd 2 pick on a 4th guard? You can certainly debate Rutledge(or others) would be an upgrade from Brown, but we have Brown on the roster, so we have a 3rd guard.

Under this thinking, we could consider a 1st or 2nd round center to be the backup.

Not every roster spot can be filled with a 1st or 2nd round pick. You need to fill depth roles(and potentially developmental starter roles) with day 3 picks. Guard is a prime spot for that.

Further, my comments here are based on going OT AND OG in the 1st 2 rounds. You've left the first 2 rounds of the draft without a starter. Its only an injury replacement. They may not see the field all year. Of course injuries pop up, but were not clamoring for a QB in case of injury. This team can win now and has holes now. They should use at least one of their most valuable resources left to get someone they plan on seeing the field immediately.

 

[manxman2601]

This is great. Dane Brugler and Josh Norris discussing Brugler's day 2/3 draft gems at each position.



TLDR

It's a good list for me.

WR - De'Zhaun Stribling
TE - Will Kacmarek
EDGE - Keyron Crawford
DL - Tyler Onyedim
LB - Keyshaun Elliott/Jimmie Rolder/Jaden Dugger
RB - Kaelon Black
DB - Julian Neal
No OL sadly.

Also confirms what DJ is saying about Treydan Stukes. He's a top 40 player which is sad. I was hoping he'd be there at 63.

They discuss other stuff too so well worth watching if you have 50 mins or so.