Instant Defense Rebuild

[Boomer B]

On D we need:

- impact DT (maybe more then 1)
- impact DE
- impact LB (maybe 2)
- Free Safety
- CB 2

Might be a bit much for one off-season

 

[PWRxWLF]

It's been reported on a few outlets that because of other concerns, they don't want to pay his 5th Year Option (and they also have an even younger and cheaper option(s) on their roster, although those players are not yet at his level (Quay is only 24 or 25 I think).

What other concerns? Is he still a headcase?

 

[JohnJH]

Bentley gets after the QB better than Quay Walker... Im not opposed to the move, but its all relative to the cost...

and Bentley is a good player... home grown, a guy who grew into a leadership role here... I don't like casting off guys like that for players who are "marginally" better on a stat sheet...

Bentley gets after the QB better than Quay Walker... Im not opposed to the move, but its all relative to the cost...

and Bentley is a good player... home grown, a guy who grew into a leadership role here... I don't like casting off guys like that for players who are "marginally" better on a stat sheet...

Bentley is what he is. Walker is young enough and has to potential to be better. Besides, if they get Abdul Carter or Jalon Walker or Jihaad Campbell, they could all start ahead of Bentley. Carter can play ILB/OLB/EDGE (he was a LB and didn't move to EDGE until this season. Sadly, he probably won't be there at #4. If that's the case, I'd trade back (pick up a still high 1st Rounder this draft and an additional 2nd Rounder, and a 1st next year), and snag Jalon Walker. I wouldn't take Will Campbell at #4, but would take him in a trade back, but not if we address OT in FA. Then I'd go with Graham or Walker.

 

[Pape]

Bentley is what he is. Walker is young enough and has to potential to be better. Besides, if they get Abdul Carter or Jalon Walker or Jihaad Campbell, they could all start ahead of Bentley. Carter can play ILB/OLB/EDGE (he was a LB and didn't move to EDGE until this season. Sadly, he probably won't be there at #4. If that's the case, I'd trade back (pick up a still high 1st Rounder this draft and an additional 2nd Rounder, and a 1st next year), and snag Jalon Walker. I wouldn't take Will Campbell at #4, but would take him in a trade back, but not if we address OT in FA. Then I'd go with Graham or Walker.

i hope to god we don't draft Carter. Id rather get walker if it prevents the Patriots from making that boneheaded mistake.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Barmore's health is the X factor. If he can return and the blood clots won't be an issue going forward, it will allow the Pats to build around him. If it turns out he has to retire, it will really set the Pats defense back.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Agreed Josh sweat is a beneficiary of having Carter and Williams on the DL.. both those guys command double teams..

You forgot Jordan Davis too. Drafting Graham and having Barmore back does not equal an instant fix. Its nowhere close. The BB Defense is now dead and the Pats will go to a four man alignment. Having Graham and Barmore is just half of the equation. They are not equivalent to Davis and Carter, which are a mountain range in the middle. There would still need to be a few more DL in the rotation. Godchaux doesn't have a good contract to cut in 2025 so he will stay. He needs replacement next year. Pharms just signed, but that deal is disposable. IMO, a 6'6" 350 run stopper and then an additional DL who can penetrate are still needed by next season.

 

[JohnJH]

i hope to god we don't draft Carter. Id rather get walker if it prevents the Patriots from making that boneheaded mistake.

I really like Jalon Walker. He has all the tools to be a beast, and could be one of those players that teams will look back on and realize that he should have been taken in the Top 3.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Bentley gets after the QB better than Quay Walker... Im not opposed to the move, but its all relative to the cost...

and Bentley is a good player... home grown, a guy who grew into a leadership role here... I don't like casting off guys like that for players who are "marginally" better on a stat sheet...

I'd be pretty surprised if we get rid of Bentley this year. There's simply no need to. He's currently the only starting caliber LB on the roster, and that's a position you need two starters at. So even if we made one HUGE addition at LB via the draft or free agency... you still need a strter next to him. And even if you get two starting LBs, not sure a team with $120M in cap room is going to need to save $5M to cut a player like Bentley and leave themselves no depth.

I think the most likely concern would be if they add another two starting caliber LBs better than Bentley but with coverage concerns because then it gets really redundant. In that case, it might be best to do a mutual parting of ways.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

I’m just saying Hunter and Gonzalez as 2 WAY under 25 cornerbacks is sexy as hell

 

[Toofy]

Rome was not built in a day . So let's pump the brakes and take one step at a time. The goal is 2027. So let's build towards it rather than do it half baked like what was done in 2021. We need to salvage 2024 drafts through coaching, motivation , training and upskillinh. Need to unearth 3 or 4 diamonds in rough from low- mid tier free agents and low draft picks. After that hit on first 3 draft picks and also eliminate some of the potential weakness on team - CB2 , OLB, DE, DT which are easier through FA. OT and WR we can try but will be difficult to replace this year if Higgins or Alaric Jackson are not available. Get conerly Jr in late first round as a backup LT .

 

[Huckleberry1]

Draft Mason Graham
Sign Josh Sweat as UFA
Christian Barmore comes back
Christian Gonzalez takes next step

Competent DC and Vrabel

Boom

It would definitely be an improvement, but I’m not sold on Sweat. Signing Zac Baun would greatly improve the front 7.

 

[dliverey44]

I read that Harold Landry could be a Salary cap casualty. If that happens I am 100% on board with signing him. He is 29 and his cap hit is 24M. He is coming off a 9 sack/38 run stops/15 TFLs and knows the defense. I think we could extend him 2-3 years and should be cheaper than Sweat. I think Sweat is very good but he is probably going to get 18M+ and I don't think he is that good.

 

[borg]

Rome was not built in a day . So let's pump the brakes and take one step at a time. The goal is 2027.

Which will be..........................

Year 8 of the post-Brady rebuild

Year 4 of the post-Belichick rebuild

Year 3 of the Vrabel rebuild

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I'm extremely hopeful we'd be decent before 2027...like **** that noise.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I'm extremely hopeful we'd be decent before 2027...like **** that noise.

I expect them to be decent next season. I expect them to be good in 26’. And I expect them to be legitimate Lombardi Contenders by 27’.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I really like Jalon Walker. He has all the tools to be a beast, and could be one of those players that teams will look back on and realize that he should have been taken in the Top 3.

You could be right and this draft has a ton of DTs if we skip Graham.

I still think Hunter is a huge difference maker with Gonzo. M Jones and J Jones on the opposing WR #3 and #4, plus Mapu on the TE and no-one is open.

But we do need a LB, DT, DE, and FS too. LB and FS in FA with DE in R2 and DT with the Falcons pick.

That is 2 defenders in FA. Add LT, RT, and WR in FA for a total of 5, plus some mid-level guys.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

PHI EDGE Josh Sweat
KC LB Nick Bolton
MIN FS Camryn Bynum
DET CB Carlton Davis

I'd be over the moon to add those 4 guys in free agency. All in their primes for the next 3-4 years. 3 of the 4 (besides Bynum) have won super bowls so they bring good experience.

It'd be a really poor LB coverage unit with Bolton and Bentley, they still need more juice in the pass rush off the edge (White should play inside vs. the pass). Could use more beef inside against the run since Barmore is more rusher and so is White when he goes inside so it's just Godchaux for run stuffers who is "meh". But hey, it's a solid start.

 

[farn]

While it’s not been pretty overall, the last two ‘first picks’ have been VG. In the early years, when NE was dominating, their first pick was almost always a hit. I’d like to see them keep it going. If Graham is a stud, and is indeed the selection, that gets foundational pieces in place.

I’d love to see a draft with two impact players and several key cogs.

 

[JohnJH]

You could be right and this draft has a ton of DTs if we skip Graham.

I still think Hunter is a huge difference maker with Gonzo. M Jones and J Jones on the opposing WR #3 and #4, plus Mapu on the TE and no-one is open.

But we do need a LB, DT, DE, and FS too. LB and FS in FA with DE in R2 and DT with the Falcons pick.

That is 2 defenders in FA. Add LT, RT, and WR in FA for a total of 5, plus some mid-level guys.

I wouldn't keep J. Jones as he's too old and we need to see if M. Jones can be our Slot CB. I'd get Josh Sweat for EDGE/OLB, Bryce Huff on the other EDGE/OLB (or trade for Rashan Gary), trade for Quay Walker ILB/OLB (he can be had for mid-round pick(s) like Gary). Jevon Holland at FS, Alaric Jackson at LT (Rams don't have the money to tag him) and he's still young (or Ronnie Stanley as long as we come up with his replacement within 2 years). We might be able to pry Metcalf away for a 2nd rounder and another pick in next year's draft. If Godwin checks out medically, he's alongside Metcalf. I wouldn't say no to Carlton Davis II next to Gonzo), or Paulson Adebo if he clears medically. Just spitballing here.

 

[PWRxWLF]

I wouldn't keep J. Jones as he's too old and we need to see if M. Jones can be our Slot CB. I'd get Josh Sweat for EDGE/OLB, Bryce Huff on the other EDGE/OLB (or trade for Rashan Gary), trade for Quay Walker ILB/OLB (he can be had for mid-round pick(s) like Gary). Jevon Holland at FS, Alaric Jackson at LT (Rams don't have the money to tag him) and he's still young (or Ronnie Stanley as long as we come up with his replacement within 2 years). We might be able to pry Metcalf away for a 2nd rounder and another pick in next year's draft. If Godwin checks out medically, he's alongside Metcalf. I wouldn't say no to Carlton Davis II next to Gonzo), or Paulson Adebo if he clears medically. Just spitballing here.

Not sure if you’ve heard, but Metcalf made it clear he doesn’t want to play in New England.