Evaluating 25 FA signings at midseason mark:

[One-If-By-Sea]

Browner proved his entire worth in one play where he told Matt Patricia "I'm gonna choke the **** out of this guy" when he went for the block that cleared the way for Malcolm. Physical CB play is a great thing to have.

Browner did actually choke the guy too. Amazing play that illustrated the difference between the regular season and playoffs.

 

[n1997y]

Yeah, really they may benefit more from a couple big "splash" signings instead of a lot of smaller middle market signings. A big receiving threat, a premier guard, a top edge rusher, etc. Pair that with drafting in 2026 close to as well as they drafted in 2025 and they will have a pretty good roster.

I’m not sure I agree. I’m thinking the best opportunities next year may not be the big ticket high profile FAs, instead the best values may be the solid middle market backups and solid players coming off their rookie deals. I think we’d be better off spending draft capital on a good rookie guard instead of paying the premium they command in free agency. See who is available in the WR and TE marketplace, same for everything on the D side of the ball, but don’t spend wildly. Build through the draft.

 

[n1997y]

Moses has actually generally been kind of an iron man health-wise most years. Not a guy that gets hurt a lot. Hard to expect that to hold up into his late 30s though, but he will probably be here next year based on his contract structure. I am guessing they will give Marcus Bryant first crack at being the heir apparent.

Both guard spots also are future needs. Onwenu is a likely cut in 2026 because he’s only been so-so and they save $18M with no dead money by cutting him. They may be able to find a free agent replacement who is an upgrade for similar money. At left guard, Wilson probably stays there in ‘26 but eventually they’ll want to move him to center and get someone else at left guard.

Agree re RT.

Would you consider keeping Onwenu on an incentive based extension that reduces his cost and has weigh-in bonuses or penalties? I’m thinking I would, but it would have to be structured so the team can get out of it easily. That would mean it has to have lucrative incentives for the player, but Onwenu has shown the ability to play at a high enough level to merit them IMO.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I’m not sure what you’re even arguing about in this thread. You seem like you’d argue about the sky being blue.

Reason he's Ignored,
Fkn ignoramus.

 

[TomPatriot]

Felt like it would be a good exercise to do a midseason report on this class. There hasn't been a single move so far that feels like a complete whiff. Nearly everyone has contributed decently in some way. Just to varying degrees

Moves that look great, A tier signings:

Milton Williams
Harold Landry
Stefon Diggs
Khyriris Tonga
K'Lavon Chaisson

Williams is looking like the dominant force we paid for. Landry and Diggs are both playing at a borderline Pro Bowl level. Chaisson and Tonga are playing much better than their contract values indicate. Both really good chess pieces. These so far are looking like great moves, although the Diggs contract will be interesting after this year.

Solid moves with reasonable production:

Robert Spillane
Garrett Bradbury
Morgan Moses
Jack Gibbens
Mack Hollins

Spillane has really picked up from his poor start and has become a steady presence in the middle. Just needs someone better beside him at LB to compliment his strengths better. Gibbens and Hollins both appear to be nice depth pieces that have been useful in rotational roles. Moses and Bradbury may be seen as debatable. But ultimately, they've at least been competent enough as starters to keep the house from burning down. For the somewhat modest contracts they are playing on, it's still a massive improvement from last year. They've created a sense of stability on the line that was badly needed.

The one questionable move so far would be the Carlton Davis contract. It has been pretty inconsistent play out of him so far. Make no mistake, he's still much better than playing Alex Austin. But with the money we're paying, you'd expect a high end CB2. We're more getting an average/slightly below average CB2 that gets injured frequently, which was probably something that should have been expected, given his history. Still time for him to improve, though. He's been a streaky CB over his career. It just hasn't appeared worth the money for the guy so far.

Total midseason grade is somewhere between a B+ and A-. Plenty of hits, no major whiffs so far out of this group. Really just one move that's looking questionable.

Thoughts?

Great thread. I’d move Spillane to Tier A. It just goes to show you the difference between a football vision and a corporate vision. A really productive signing season orchestrated by Mike Vrabel and his team.

 

[Huckleberry1]

That was the best offseason I have ever seen.

 

[patfanken]

When you are considering another one of the differences between this year and last, think about this one. Last year we didn't start the same OL for consecutive games until around this time of the year. THIS year we have lost just ONE man for one game.

Think about all the game reps and practice reps this OL has been taking together. They can't help but be better. THIS week is going to be somewhat of a graduation test to see how they fair against one of the best DL's in the league. I am really looking forward to this game.

 

[rkarp1]

it's interesting, because the 2025 draft has been called great, but not the free agency signings
Draft:
Campbell-has played great. is still improving towards pro bowl level
Henderson-incomplete
Williams-incomplete
Wilson-has played poorly but strong upside
Woodson-his play has been mixed
Farmer-good depth contributor
Swinson-PS
Borregales-has been very good
Bryant-incomplete
Ashbee-has been good
Minor-incomplete

Free agency:
Milton Williams
Harold Landry
Stefon Diggs
Khyriris Tonga
K'Lavon Chaisson
Robert Spillane
Garrett Bradbury
Morgan Moses
Jack Gibbens
Mack Hollins

all have been very solid contributors with Williams, Landry, Diggs, Tonga, Chaisson, Spillane and Moses having turns as top 3 stars of games this season.

isn't the free agency class even better than the draft class?

 

[Joey007]

Great thread. I’d move Spillane to Tier A. It just goes to show you the difference between a football vision and a corporate vision. A really productive signing season orchestrated by Mike Vrabel and his team.

He definitely can move there. I just have to weigh the total grade with his first few games, which were not very good.

 

[Real fan 02]

Can't really argue with that in the slightest. I might sneak Bradbury and Hollins into the upper tier for other reasons, but Bradbury's been too inconsistent to do it really, and Hollins is Hollins.

Four of those five are absolute home runs. Tonga and Chiasson have just been great signings in terms of value.

Also I don't think Davis has been as bad as he's being portrayed on the board. To me, he's worth the money, because if it's not him, who else would it be? He's an expensive stop-gap, until they can get someone else in here, in my opinion.

The thinking would have been had Austin or dial (on ir) if either had been able to solidify the CB2 position Vrabel would not had to go out and find a guy.. Davis is serviceable vet who's a champion and played at a high level. Injury was always a concern with him. Coach T jad a lot to do with him coming here...I have been underwhelmed with both he and gonzo thus far. However as you mentioned who's a better option right now. A poster on here laughed when I said the Tonga signing was a sneakily good move earlier during camp.

 

[rkarp1]

The thinking would have been had Austin or dial (on ir) if either had been able to solidify the CB2 position Vrabel would not had to go out and find a guy.. Davis is serviceable vet who's a champion and played at a high level. Injury was always a concern with him. Coach T jad a lot to do with him coming here...I have been underwhelmed with both he and gonzo thus far. However as you mentioned who's a better option right now. A poster on here laughed when I said the Tonga signing was a sneakily good move earlier during camp.

I did not laugh, but did question if Tonga was a summer body/roster bubble type player
he has far exceeded my expectations. getting strong interior play from Tonga, Farmer and Durden, who all have exceeded my expectations, is the key to keeping B-More and Williams healthy and fresh, and playing at a high level. they have also saved the team from having to depend on under performing K White.
I am a huge advocate of a 5 man interior DL rotation

 

[Real fan 02]

I did not laugh, but did question if Tonga was a summer body/roster bubble type player
he has far exceeded my expectations. getting strong interior play from Tonga, Farmer and Durden, who all have exceeded my expectations, is the key to keeping B-More and Williams healthy and fresh, and playing at a high level. they have also saved the team from having to depend on under performing K White.
I am a huge advocate of a 5 man interior DL rotation

Absolutely correct the Defensive line is the strength of the defense. Barmore has one of highest pressure rates in the NFL even though he hasn't gotten the sack numbers those Will come. He often gets doubled. Tonga has been manhandling Centers all season even Vrabel was saying he's been surprising with his rush ability. As he's known for his run play.

The most important element of a Defensive front is to stop the run. We are an elite run Defense it's what you can always hang your hat on making teams 1 dimensional.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

it's interesting, because the 2025 draft has been called great, but not the free agency signings
Draft:
Campbell-has played great. is still improving towards pro bowl level
Henderson-incomplete
Williams-incomplete
Wilson-has played poorly but strong upside
Woodson-his play has been mixed
Farmer-good depth contributor
Swinson-PS
Borregales-has been very good
Bryant-incomplete
Ashbee-has been good
Minor-incomplete

Free agency:
Milton Williams
Harold Landry
Stefon Diggs
Khyriris Tonga
K'Lavon Chaisson
Robert Spillane
Garrett Bradbury
Morgan Moses
Jack Gibbens
Mack Hollins

all have been very solid contributors with Williams, Landry, Diggs, Tonga, Chaisson, Spillane and Moses having turns as top 3 stars of games this season.

isn't the free agency class even better than the draft class?

You left out the UDFAs. FA was definitely better.

 

[Real fan 02]

I'd say anytime your first round pick is being regarded as on of the best young OTs in the league it was a good draft. Wilson has also been good. They have not looked overmatched.

You left out the UDFAs. FA was definitely better.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I'd say anytime your first round pick is being regarded as on of the best young OTs in the league it was a good draft. Wilson has also been good. They have not looked overmatched.

Wilson has not looked great.

 

[rkarp1]

You left out the UDFAs. FA was definitely better.

which udfa's have been solid contributors?

 

[patchick]

54% of all snaps on offense this year are players who were not Patriots last year.
57% of all snaps on D are players who were not here last year.

Which is also a reason why this team started slowly but is improving rapidly and could continue to do so….

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

which udfa's have been solid contributors?

Ponder, Chism is starting to play.

Rookies will always take longer to gain playing time. Very hard to compare FA to Rookie playing time, FAs almost always win that comparison.

Compare who will still be on the roster in 4 years, Pats 2025 rookies versus FAs.

 

[rkarp1]

Ponder, Chism is starting to play.

Rookies will always take longer to gain playing time. Very hard to compare FA to Rookie playing time, FAs almost always win that comparison.

Compare who will still be on the roster in 4 years, Pats 2025 rookies versus FAs.

ok, but at this point I would have both of those players in the "incomplete" category.

 

[n1997y]

Wilson has not looked great.

Recency bias. He’s had one rough game, happens it was the most recent. Otherwise he has done very well for a rookie, just not as well as the short armed stud playing next to him.