I suspect that 12 positions are truly up for grabs.

[Water Boy]

We hope, but many 6th rounders end up useless.

I'm not ready to crown Crownover. He's a mixed bag. From what I heard from the Senior Bowl he had some nice reps but a number of brutally bad ones too.

 

[Toofy]

Ponder is a Lock. You thinking otherwise is just foolishness.
Crownover is a lock. Just like Marcus Cannon was a lock.

Hollins is not 33 yet. You'd have a point about 4 teams in 4 years if he'd been cut from ANY of those teams. You also ignore the fact that Hollins was a binky for McDaniels in Vegas. Which is why he was brought to the Pats. Not to mention that Hollins has had 50+ targets in 3 of the 4 stops. The only one he didn't was Atlanta. Where he wasn't used properly.

Hollins more than proved himself last year and showed no signs of slowing down and his contract is team friendly.

Hollins was the leading wide receiver I. Super bowl. Just in case people were not aware and hollins had more than 4 TDs I believe. He is WR2 on this team now.. I donno how anyone can consider hollins not a lock

 

[DaBruinz]

Hollins was the leading wide receiver I. Super bowl. Just in case people were not aware and hollins had more than 4 TDs I believe. He is WR2 on this team now.. I donno how anyone can consider hollins not a lock

I agree with you. I wouldn't be surprised to see Hollins eclipse the 65 targets, though I would prefer Boutte to get more. With the number of snaps Boutte took last year, Maye should have targeted him more than 46 times. That's on Maye and McDaniels.

I know that the Pats seemed to have Maye on a "Pitch Count" and he averaged 29 pass attempts per game during the regular season. The only game that the Pats lost where Maye made fewer than 30 pass attempts was that screw job against Buffalo. I don't know if Vrabel/McDaniels will have Maye on a similar "pitch count" or not this season.

I figure that Doubs, Boutte, Hollins, Williams and Henry should see at least 4 targets each per game (20 targets). I know that Henderson was targeted 42 times, but I could see that climbing to 51 pretty easily. I can also see Stevenson getting 2-3 targets a game.. I would expect Hill and Gilliam to pick up the other 3 targets per game between them.. That would get Maye to the 29 he averaged last year. Anything beyond that would be icing, though I don't know that they'll go that route since they've sent a clear signal they intend to be more smash mouth which usually translates into more running with the RBs.. I have no doubt that Vrabel wants to reduce the number of runs by Maye while increasing the ones by Henderson, Stevenson, and whomever fills the #3 RB role. Be it Larison, Miller, Jennings, or Montgomery.

 

[Family]

Crownover has to beat out Marcus Bryant, it’s not just going to be handed to him.

This.

The tea leaves say that Bryant is in trouble, but if he shows up and beats out Crownover, Bryant wins the job.

They gave Hollins bonus money that he didn't earn last year because of injury. You don't do that with someone you plan to cut.

With WR candidates unknown, it's difficult to predict what happens with that position. Really Dobbs and Williams are the only locks. Who knows who else is even here?

 

[Real fan 02]

VERY LIKELY TO MAKE THE 53 (41)

OFFENSE (20)
QB (2) Maye, DiVito
RB (3) Stevenson, Henderson, Gilliam
TE (3) Henry, Hill, Raridon
WR (4) Doubs, Hollins, Boutte, Williams
OT (4) Campbell, Moses, Lomu, Crownover
IOL (4) AVT, Onwenu, Wilson, Brown

DEFENSE (17)
DT (3) Williams, Barmore, Durden
EDGE (4) Jones, Landry, Jacas, Ponder
ILB (3) Spillane, Elliss, Britt
CB (4) Gonzalez, Davis, Jones, Woods
S (3) Byard, Woodson, Pettus

SPECIAL TEAMS (4)

Who are the back ups at DT/NT?
Are we sure crownover makes the active roster? As Hudson was signed and Bryant and Wallace will all compete.

At WR, FIFY AJ, Doubs, Williams, Hollins, Boutte, Douglas

 

[Real fan 02]

Top 5 positions up for grabs are:

RB: Henderson really should be the main guy. Rham did a fine job in the playoffs doing the dirty work, but he's not a chuck play guy. Also, his paranoia of fumbling has resulting in him playing just to protect the ball rather than making plays.
WR: Assuming no AJ Brown trade, Doubs is the favorite as the lead guy. However, Kyle Williams has the opportunity to leapfrog the inconsistent Boutte who gives you a big play then calls it a day.
C: Wilson is by no means a lock to be the starter (nor should he be). Ben Brown will have his shot to beat out "Reggie Ray" Wilson.
RT: Moses is old and didn't play well in 2025. Lomu will have every chance to win the job. At worst, Lomu is going to rotate in.
Edge: Posters are lying if they claim they've heard of Jones prior to him signing in NE. If not, bring the receipts. Jacas is in the same position as Keion White. He will have his shot to beat out Jones or get significant playing time due to Landry's health.

Speaking for myself I only remember Jones in name only when we played the titans and he had a good game when we played ravens.. other than that I had to youtube him when we signed to educate myself on him more. However he was signed to be a starter. He seems to have a relationship with Vrabel so I'm good with it.

Jacas IMO has a much higher ceiling, better attitude, and better fit than white. Whites attitude and ego held him back from really becoming a better player when in NE.

But you're post as usual is on point!

 

[Real fan 02]

I could see the special teams coach pounding the table to keep Del Pettus.

They could trade Boutte or even Hollins to a contender if they see a roster squeeze at WR after preseason.

Crownover has to beat out Marcus Bryant, it’s not just going to be handed to him.

Durden is a nice story, but they could cut him and he’d probably still make it to their practice squad.

Britt is not a lock, we have UDFA’s who got roughly as much guaranteed money as he did.

They wouldn’t have brought in what, 4-6 new CB prospects this offseason if they thought highly of Woods. They need to improve the speed and athleticism behind the top three.

I'd also keep on eye on the Ownenu situation read something about him wanting a new contract. He could be a suprise trade candidate as well.

 

[Raccoonsuit]

I'd also keep on eye on the Ownenu situation read something about him wanting a new contract. He could be a suprise trade candidate as well.

Looked at his contract again and it's insane. $21 and $25 million last year and this year.

Trey Smith is averaging $24 million and hes one of the top guards. Owenu got that tackle money. If he asks for more money...he needs a big time salary hair cut. Hope his agent is being honest with him

 

[Real fan 02]

Looked at his contract again and it's insane. $21 and $25 million last year and this year.

Trey Smith is averaging $24 million and hes one of the top guards. Owenu got that tackle money. If he asks for more money...he needs a big time salary hair cut. Hope his agent is being honest with him

Yes! This was the Mayo contract. Remember? He's a good player but definitely overpaid in comparison as you just mentioned to others that play OT.. because he's such an Important piece on the OL for stability and he's still a solid player I can see Vrabel doing something for him at least for this season.. can guaranteed OG will be taken in the draft next year for sure.

 

[Wozzy]

This.

The tea leaves say that Bryant is in trouble, but if he shows up and beats out Crownover, Bryant wins the job.

I don’t even think he’s in trouble, it’s an open competition… let the best man win.

They gave Hollins bonus money that he didn't earn last year because of injury. You don't do that with someone you plan to cut.

I doubt he’ll be cut, traded maybe, but I doubt it. Josh loves him. Boutte, Douglas and Hollins are entering the last year of their contract.

With WR candidates unknown, it's difficult to predict what happens with that position. Really Dobbs and Williams are the only locks. Who knows who else is even here?

Agreed.

 

[Family]

I don’t even think he’s in trouble, it’s an open competition… let the best man win.

Yes it's an open competition, but drafting two OT's is a sign of lack of faith.

I think they were dressing players off the street before him at the end of the season.

 

[Real fan 02]

I don’t even think he’s in trouble, it’s an open competition… let the best man win.

I doubt he’ll be cut, traded maybe, but I doubt it. Josh loves him. Boutte, Douglas and Hollins are entering the last year of their contract.

Agreed.

Hollins is under contract this season. It wasn't bonus money it was a roster incentive (guarantee) that was part of his original contract. Vrabel did this for Henry, diggs& Chaisson as well last season.

 

[Wozzy]

Yes it's an open competition, but drafting two OT's is a sign of lack of faith.

I think they were dressing players off the street before him at the end of the season.

Nah, Moses is 35, Campbell is an unknown… you keep throwing resources at it until you have two stone cold starters and a solid swing backup.

 

[Family]

Nah, Moses is 35, Campbell is an unknown… you keep throwing resources at it until you have two stone cold starters and a solid swing backup.

They need a young guard far more than a 4th tackle on a rookie contract.

Wallace is that only answer now, and he's really no different than Bryant.

 

[Real fan 02]

Nah, Moses is 35, Campbell is an unknown… you keep throwing resources at it until you have two stone cold starters and a solid swing backup.

You're starting LT is a healthy W. Campbell. Recency bias has some questioning. However a 4th overall pick was spent on the position. He's the LT until further notice.

 

[Wozzy]

They need a young guard far more than a 4th tackle on a rookie contract.

They aren’t looking at it that way. If they have to cut Bryant or Crownover they will, and can probably slide him to the PS. They cut Swinson and kept Ponder, late round draft picks aren’t gold. The only outcome you definitely want is a good player on your roster, you have to break some eggs to make an omelette.

Wallace is that only answer now, and he's really no different than Bryant.

They’ve brought in two UDFA guards, I think they’re looking for that guy. If they can’t find him that way, there’s always some value vet available on cutdown day or still sitting out there on the street.

 

[Wozzy]

You're starting LT is a healthy W. Campbell. Recency bias has some questioning. However a 4th overall pick was spent on the position. He's the LT until further notice.

Yeah, we’ve already beaten this horse to death.

He’s the left tackle… unless he struggles with speed rushers off the edge. Then magically he’s a guard.

 

[Real fan 02]

Yeah, we’ve already beaten this horse to death.

He’s the left tackle… unless he struggles with speed rushers off the edge. Then magically he’s a guard.

Agreed here. We shored up RT in the draft. Now if Wallace or Bryant shows anything worth keeping a roster space then that's only a great thing.

 

[Wozzy]

Agreed here. We shored up RT in the draft. Now if Wallace or Bryant shows anything worth keeping a roster space then that's only a great thing.

They shored up tackle potentially, doesn’t matter left or right.

Now it’s a competition.

 

[Real fan 02]

They shored up tackle potentially, doesn’t matter left or right.

Now it’s a competition.

Some chose to ignore the solid play at LT prior to the Bengals game injury. Those are just pessimist wanting to be right going back to the draft about arm length ect.. he's the LT and will be better, healthy, motivated. Every position on the teams competition that's what gets the best out of everyone.