My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

[captain stone]

My 96 year old mother could average 4 ypc rushing behind Will Campbell at LT and Kadyn Procter at LG.

Procter is NOT a Left Guard. He's a RG/RT Only.

 

[mayoclinic]

I prefer him at RT, myself. Guard has been suggested. At 340#, Proctor is a much different beast.

I'm personally really warming to Monroe Freeling as my favorite RT with upside.

 

[mayoclinic]

BTW, I'm with Manx now: of all the players that could conceivably slip into the 20s, I think David Bailey would have the biggest immediate impact. I just doubt he'll be available.

 

[manxman2601]

BTW, I'm with Manx now: of all the players that could conceivably slip into the 20s, I think David Bailey would have the biggest immediate impact. I just doubt he'll be available.

I'm still clinging to hope, perhaps forlorn, that he'll be there for us. My late first tier is getting pretty clear.

In order:

1. David Bailey
2. Sonny Styles
3. Vega Ioane (Guaranteed day one starter which is what you want from a 1st round pick)
4. Kadyn Proctor

Not in order

Austin Siereveld
Avieon Terrell
Quincy Rhodes
Chris Johnson (not sure about this but I can see him climbing into the late first if he tests well.)

- I'm not including WRs like Bell or Brazzell because I don't feel we need them but I'm not going to object if we draft one.

- I'm not sure where Faulk, Mauigoa or Fano fit if they fall. I would probably take McCoy first if he fell.

 

[mayoclinic]

This OT class is so deep, it may not make as much sense to take one in the first, if (1) there is no really great player, and (2) you can get a multi-contract starter on day 2 or even 3, as Brandon Thorn suggests.

So if a Bailey or Styles is available, I think it's pretty easy. Go that route in the 1st, then OL.

I will say that some of Jelani McDonald's tape is reminiscent of 2024 Caleb Downs, I could see him shooting up boards. He's my mid-season Arvell Reese candidate. There is just too much there, need to watch some recent game clips.

 

[mayoclinic]

Guys like Reese and McDonald are interesting to me. Big time recruits by top programs, great athletes, position changes affecting their development, stuck behind other NFL caliber players until they get a shot to emerge, then meteoric trajectory. The film too good. Overlooked by the media until they become too obvious to ignore.

I expect McDonald to become a common name on the media discussions from now through December, if not longer.

I think Monroe Freeling is a lesser example, with leg injuries also factoring into the mix.

 

[manxman2601]

This OT class is so deep, it may not make as much sense to take one in the first, if (1) there is no really great player, and (2) you can get a multi-contract starter on day 2 or even 3, as Brandon Thorn suggests.

So if a Bailey or Styles is available, I think it's pretty easy. Go that route in the 1st, then OL.

I will say that some of Jelani McDonald's tape is reminiscent of 2024 Caleb Downs, I could see him shooting up boards. He's my mid-season Arvell Reese candidate. There is just too much there, need to watch some recent game clips.

I think if you can get the best player at a position in the draft like Ioane, that's a no-brainer to me hence why I have him 3rd and there's no need for a position change.

 

[manxman2601]

Guys like Reese and McDonald are interesting to me. Big time recruits by top programs, great athletes, position changes affecting their development, stuck behind other NFL caliber players until they get a shot to emerge, then meteoric trajectory. The film too good. Overlooked by the media until they become too obvious to ignore.

I expect McDonald to become a common name on the media discussions from now through December, if not longer.

I think Monroe Freeling is a lesser example, with leg injuries also factoring into the mix.

Yup. I have McDonald ahead of Wheatley and Taaffe. That vertical leap left quite the impression on me.

 

[mayoclinic]

What about the following, just as a hypothetical:

1. Re-signings and extensions as above.

2. Pats sign RB Kenneth Walker or Breece Hall in FA.

3. Pats trade EDGE Keion White and their 2026 2nd round and 2027 3rd round picks to Tennessee for DL Jeffery Simmons.

Draft:

- Unless a stud player falls to the late 1st, Pats trade back to the early 2nd round and pick up an extra 4th or 3rd (depending on the extent of the trade back) in a deep draft. Then they add 2 OLs, 2 DBs, LB, WR and EDGE on days 2 and 3. Lots of potential names already discussed.

The Pats would have a DL comparable to Philly, with a top 5 QB. Add some talent and depth through the draft and they should be contenders while Maye is still on his rookie deal.

 

[manxman2601]

What about the following, just as a hypothetical:

1. Re-signings and extensions as above.

2. Pats sign RB Kenneth Walker or Breece Hall in FA.

3. Pats trade EDGE Keion White and their 2026 2nd round and 2027 3rd round picks to Tennessee for DL Jeffery Simmons.

Draft:

- Unless a stud player falls to the late 1st, Pats trade back to the early 2nd round and pick up an extra 4th or 3rd (depending on the extent of the trade back) in a deep draft. Then they add 2 OLs, 2 DBs, LB, WR and EDGE on days 2 and 3. Lots of potential names already discussed.

The Pats would have a DL comparable to Philly, with a top 5 QB. Add some talent and depth through the draft and they should be contenders while Maye is still on his rookie deal.

That would be quite the three man front :

Williams - Barmore - Simmons

I’d suggest a TE instead of a WR. 2 picks is a lot though for a team dedicated to rebuilding through the draft. I think I’d rather trade the first and get a 3rd or 4th back in return.

 

[mayoclinic]

Just an exercise for sh*ts and giggles. IDK if it would be enough. The 2 picks were in different drafts.

I think you could use Milt Williams like Rueben Bain. 6'3". Short arms, but wins with leverage and power. 4.63 speed at 284# coming out in 2021.

 

[mayoclinic]

Regarding FA, I found the following of interest:

Drake Maye is already giving the Patriots a huge offseason advantage

The Patriots appear to be back in a position to have free agents wanting to play for them again because of the rise of Drake Maye.

musketfire.com

Besides $$$$ and location, FAs generally prefer coming to a winning team. Having a well-regarded HC who is a former player and who relates eell to players is a big plus. Now, having a young top-5 QB will be another plus.

 

[mayoclinic]

I don't expect any big moves before the 11/4 trade deadline. Right now the 2 moonshots (< 1% probability of either happening) would be to get either Jeffery Simmons or Brian Thomas Jr. Either would be more than a short-term fix, they would be foundational players who would improve the roster for the long-term:

- A DL of Simmons/Barmore/Williams/Tonga/Farmer, with Williams, Landry, Chaison, maybe Swinson and a rookie would be up there with the 2007/2011 Giants and 2024 Eagles. Upgrade the LB and safety positions and add a depth player at CB, you you would have an elite defense to go with an elite QB.

- Add BTJ and a WR room of Diggs/Thomas/Boutte/Williams/Hollins along with Hunter Henry at TE and TreVeyon Henderson would give Drake Maye one of the best and most diverse offensive skill groups in the NFL. Keep building bout the OL, and this would be an offense to potentially rival the best of the Brady years.

Both very long shots, but worth going after if the opportunity arises.

 

[manxman2601]

Tick one off your list

 

[mayoclinic]

Great news. Can't wait to see terms.

 

[manxman2601]

Great news. Can't wait to see terms.

3 years 36m I believe.

 

[mayoclinic]

With escalators to $40.5M, per Field Yates:



My projection was 3 years / $40M.

 

[mayoclinic]

Keion White's failure to develop a huge disappointment, I would move on barring a miraculous turnaround

White and a 2026 7th traded to SF for a 2026 6th.

 

[mayoclinic]

Way too early, but some thoughts:

Cut or Trade:

- S Kyle Duggar
- EDGE Anfernee Jennings
- LB Christian Ellids

Duggar and a 2026 7th traded to Pittsburgh for a 2026 6th.

More importantly, I believes that frees up $8M in 2026 cap space.

 

[mayoclinic]

Around $10M in 2026 cap space created by trading Duggar and White.