My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

[Clonamery]

Add a FB too.

Only as UDFA. Get a knows how to block TE3 who can learn to catch better. We have the promise of Lambe on IR.

 

[mayoclinic]

10 NFL veterans who could unexpectedly be on the move this offseason: Surprise cut, trade candidates

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www.espn.com

There are exactly 2 players on this list who would interest me.

 

[manxman2601]

I feel like there are four potential directions/philosophies that can be taken this off-season and while, in reality, the FO and Vrabel will attack them together, it's worth separating them for discussions sake.

Not in order of priority.

1. Maximise help for Drake Maye. Add another WR, get a future TE replacement for Hunter Henry.

2. Sort out the run game. It seems to be the forums favourite option currently. Understandably.

3. Create an elite defense. Defensive BPA and depth please. Tied with option 2 as my personal favourite.

4. Develop for the future. A future Morgan Moses replacement. A future Carlton Davis replacement. A future Hunter Henry replacement.

Again, I'm sure off-season business will be an amalgam of all of the above but it would be nice to see a particular direction given some level of priority.

Actually I'll add another related to free agency only, not the draft.

5. Keep team cohesion - Re-sign as many of the current FA's as possible. The cohesion of this team is great. Let's keep that going.

 

[mayoclinic]

#1 should include the OL first and foremost, far above any "weapon".

Protect the Drake.

Overlaps with #2, ideally since OL improvements should ideally improve both pass protection and the running game.

 

[Clonamery]

I feel like there are four potential directions/philosophies that can be taken this off-season and while, in reality, the FO and Vrabel will attack them together, it's worth separating them for discussions sake.

Not in order of priority.

1. Maximise help for Drake Maye. Add another WR, get a future TE replacement for Hunter Henry.

2. Sort out the run game. It seems to be the forums favourite option currently. Understandably.

3. Create an elite defense. Defensive BPA and depth please. Tied with option 2 as my personal favourite.

4. Develop for the future. A future Morgan Moses replacement. A future Carlton Davis replacement. A future Hunter Henry replacement.

Again, I'm sure off-season business will be an amalgam of all of the above but it would be nice to see a particular direction given some level of priority.

Actually I'll add another related to free agency only, not the draft.

5. Keep team cohesion - Re-sign as many of the current FA's as possible. The cohesion of this team is great. Let's keep that going.

This is #1 in terms of process timeline.

 

[manxman2601]

#1 should include the OL first and foremost, far above any "weapon".

Protect the Drake.

Overlaps with #2, ideally since OL improvements should ideally improve both pass protection and the running game.

As I said, I see the OL and the defense as a joint priority. I want to see us building towards an elite defense. We’re part way there but need to add an edge rusher and defensive depth. The elite edge rusher might not be realistic in this draft class although I’d willingly trade our first round pick for the right one. Improving the defensive depth is absolutely viable however.

 

[mayoclinic]

My priorities are the OL (covering 1 and 2), then creating an elite defense. Adding offensive "weapons" well down the last.

#4 and 5 are always factors, but to a slightly lesser degree.

Keep as much as what works as fiscally reasonable, build for the future. But above all, continue to build an elite OL and defense. Succeed at those, and the team will be virtually unstoppable.

 

[manxman2601]

This is #1 in terms of process timeline.

Agreed. My question is this. Is the team cohesion and leadership currently enough to absorb more questionable, but higher upside characters or should they continue to add character, perhaps at the expense of talent and upside?

 

[mayoclinic]

Keep to the blueprint. Cohesion, character, and toughness matter. Vrabel can recognize his kind of guys.

Character comes in many forms. I wouldn't have tabbed Stephon Diggs as a character signing, but he has provided it in spades.

 

[stelfans]

#1 should include the OL first and foremost, far above any "weapon".

Protect the Drake.

Overlaps with #2, ideally since OL improvements should ideally improve both pass protection and the running game.

Agree with this.
There's only so many spots for WR and it seems our core is pretty much set. We all wanted Chism and Williams to have a chance and even with injuries they are having a really hard time finding a spot.
There are certainly guys worth upgrading but its far from a priority for me.
OL and #2 are my #1 priority. I think just like last year, the defense will sort itself out between FA and middle round picks.

 

[manxman2601]

If Terrell Williams' health issues are such that he can't go next year either, hire Shiel Wood, the Texas Tech DC. I woud love to see that attacking defense at this team.

 

[manxman2601]

I think i'm solidifying my thinking at this moment.

1. TJ Parker in the first if he's available.
2. Zachariah Branch in that day 2-3 swing.
3. A guard and RT in rounds 2-4. Carter Smith and PJ Williams would suit me.
4. Keionte Scott, Treydan Stukes and Devin Moore where possible.
5. Jake Golday, Bray Hubbard and Zakee Wheatley definitely in consideration if BPA.
6. Mesidor and Jacob Rodriguez obviously.
7. A blocking TE/FB on day 3.
8. Oscar Delp and Eli Raridon are probably my favourite future Hunter Henry replacements.

Some combination of the above would be my very drilled down draft strategy. Yes there are others I like but if the draft was tomorrow, those would be my main targets.

 

[Clonamery]

I think i'm solidifying my thinking at this moment.

1. TJ Parker in the first if he's available.
2. Zachariah Branch in that day 2-3 swing.
3. A guard and RT in rounds 2-4. Carter Smith and PJ Williams would suit me.
4. Keionte Scott, Treydan Stukes and Devin Moore where possible.
5. Jake Golday, Bray Hubbard and Zakee Wheatley definitely in consideration if BPA.
6. Mesidor and Jacob Rodriguez obviously.
7. A blocking TE/FB on day 3.
8. Oscar Delp and Eli Raridon are probably my favourite future Hunter Henry replacements.

Some combination of the above would be my very drilled down draft strategy. Yes there are others I like but if the draft was tomorrow, those would be my main targets.

What would teams who rely on the Combine for their draft strategy do?

 

[manxman2601]

What would teams who rely on the Combine for their draft strategy do?

I can get enamoured with combine results with the best of them. The theory is that teams don't rely on the combine but we've all seen Al Davies drafts.

In answer to your question though. Give their scouting departments the winter off.

 

[stelfans]

I think i'm solidifying my thinking at this moment.

1. TJ Parker in the first if he's available.
2. Zachariah Branch in that day 2-3 swing.
3. A guard and RT in rounds 2-4. Carter Smith and PJ Williams would suit me.
4. Keionte Scott, Treydan Stukes and Devin Moore where possible.
5. Jake Golday, Bray Hubbard and Zakee Wheatley definitely in consideration if BPA.
6. Mesidor and Jacob Rodriguez obviously.
7. A blocking TE/FB on day 3.
8. Oscar Delp and Eli Raridon are probably my favourite future Hunter Henry replacements.

Some combination of the above would be my very drilled down draft strategy. Yes there are others I like but if the draft was tomorrow, those would be my main targets.

Thats a nice plan. I would just emphasize the need for at least 2 new LB to replace Mapu and Tavai, who just werent good enough last game without Spillane. Trotter, Jefferson, Biles.
But thats something they can also do in FA probably.

 

[manxman2601]

Thats a nice plan. I would just emphasize the need for at least 2 new LB to replace Mapu and Tavai, who just werent good enough last game without Spillane. Trotter, Jefferson, Biles.
But thats something they can also do in FA probably.

I mean I'm putting on my usual TTU hat here but I quite like Cole Wisniewski for that Mapu role. Plays safety but hits like a linebacker. You could probably find a Tavai replacement on day 3, or as you say, FA.

 

[manxman2601]

I just saw an interesting trade proposal on X. It's just a hypothetical, not a rumour.

Gonzo to Detroit for 2 firsts.

1. I have no idea as to whether Detroit would do that, what their CB position is or their financial position.

2. From a Patriots standpoint I'm torn.

a) Would love two firsts although one of them would have to be used to replace him so it's effectively just one first.

b) Gonzo would likely command the highest CB salary in the NFL when we negotiate his extension. The financial flexibility from not extending him would be welcome.

c) Gonzo has been good to very good this year. I don't think, however, he has been completely shut down.

d) OTOH, he has the skills and athleticism to be better than he has been this year. He is built like, and is athletically, the perfect CB. He can be better than '25 Gonzo.

e). On the one hand, Vrabel hasn't shown much loyalty to inherited players. On the other, Gonzo fits the philosophy of good young players that could be here for years.


Ultimately I don't think I'd take the trade, although I would be tempted. I think I'd want an additional 2nd rounder too.

I just thought it interesting.

 

[stelfans]

Thats an easy no for me. Not nearly enough.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Agree with this.
There's only so many spots for WR and it seems our core is pretty much set. We all wanted Chism and Williams to have a chance and even with injuries they are having a really hard time finding a spot.
There are certainly guys worth upgrading but its far from a priority for me.
OL and #2 are my #1 priority. I think just like last year, the defense will sort itself out between FA and middle round picks.

Part of that is McDaniels uses 12 and 21 personnel more than almost anyone in the league.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think i'm solidifying my thinking at this moment.

1. TJ Parker in the first if he's available.
2. Zachariah Branch in that day 2-3 swing.
3. A guard and RT in rounds 2-4. Carter Smith and PJ Williams would suit me.
4. Keionte Scott, Treydan Stukes and Devin Moore where possible.
5. Jake Golday, Bray Hubbard and Zakee Wheatley definitely in consideration if BPA.
6. Mesidor and Jacob Rodriguez obviously.
7. A blocking TE/FB on day 3.
8. Oscar Delp and Eli Raridon are probably my favourite future Hunter Henry replacements.

Some combination of the above would be my very drilled down draft strategy. Yes there are others I like but if the draft was tomorrow, those would be my main targets.

Mike Renner has TJ Parker at 19 and David Bailey at 20 on his latest big board. Either should get consideration if available. So should Yhonzae Pierre, if he declares. Renner also Malachi Lawrence at 46, Akheem Mesidor at 49, and Kenyatta Jackson at 58.

Those are some attractive EDGE options, especially if one of the day 2 prospects skips.