My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

[mayoclinic]

Was thinking about my favorite OL of the dynasty era. Would have to give my vote to 2011:

LT Light - LG Mankins - OC Koppen - RG Waters - RT Vollmer

That OL took the Pats to almost another Lombardi.

 

[mayoclinic]

Here's why I don't believe in PFF grades:

https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/the-top-10-wr-rankings-for-the-2026-nfl-draft-hint-at-another-loaded-class-that-will-reshape-several-offenses-across-the-league/

They gave Jabrill Peppers listed as their #4 FA, and Tyler Linderbaum at #15.

 

[captain stone]

Was thinking about my favorite OL of the dynasty era. Would have to give my vote to 2011:

LT Light - LG Mankins - OC Koppen - RG Waters - RT Vollmer

That OL took the Pats to almost another Lombardi.

Wasn't that the season in which Dan Koppen played his last game as a Patriot when he broke his leg or something on Opening Night in Miami, an unfortunately rare Brady win down there? Dan Connelly, the KOR hero the previous year, replaced Koppen for the rest of the season and never looked back...

 

[mayoclinic]

Good memory.

 

[captain stone]

Good memory.

And I do agree that 2011's OL was pretty damn good... Nate Solder was the SwingT/occasional TE... Fellow rookie Marcus Cannon was eased into the lineup after his health scare... And they even received a productive season at Guard from Connecticut's own Donald Thomas...

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Here's why I don't believe in PFF grades:

https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/the-top-10-wr-rankings-for-the-2026-nfl-draft-hint-at-another-loaded-class-that-will-reshape-several-offenses-across-the-league/

They gave Jabrill Peppers listed as their #4 FA, and Tyler Linderbaum at #15.

Yeah I think they have DeAndre Hopkins as a top 10 WR this year too lol.

I don't think the problem is PFF itself. It's just data. The problem is how it somehow became ok to just throw up those rankings like they're authoritative and absolute. Anytime you attempt to quantify and objectively rank something so inherently abstract and subjective as football, there's going to be some oddities and outliers. A guy like Peppers ranking oddly high or someone like Lindebaum ranking oddly low isn't anything crazy if we're being honest. It's just that there is some fan out there who when their team signs Peppers will go ga-ga just regurgitating that ranking like they signed an elite player. Or some fan whose team misses out on Lindebaum after rumored interest will point to this an say that his team dodged a bullet because he's overrated anyway.

 

[mayoclinic]

The past few games are suggesting that the narrative that the Pats have no quality depth may be a tad over-stated. There is still plenty of room to upgrade the roster and build for the future, but Elliss, Hawkins, Lowe, Brown, Ponder and Durden are showing they have something to contribute, especially with good coaching.

 

[mayoclinic]

I feel like Elliss and Hawkins belong in a rotation. Both have significantly improved over the beginning of the season, a testament for good coaching.

BPA.

 

[Clonamery]

I feel like Elliss and Hawkins belong in a rotation. Both have significantly improved over the beginning of the season, a testament for good coaching.

BPA.

And by BPA, you mean: Binkie Player Available.

 

[mayoclinic]

You got it.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

The past few games are suggesting that the narrative that the Pats have no quality depth may be a tad over-stated. There is still plenty of room to upgrade the roster and build for the future, but Elliss, Hawkins, Lowe, Brown, Ponder and Durden are showing they have something to contribute, especially with good coaching.

Yeah, I was dead wrong here — I thought our front line talent was good, but we’d be hit with the inevitable injuries that would expose our backups, so my “realistic” scenario at the beginning of the season was 8-9 or 9-8 which also assumed normal growth from Maye and not immediate superstardom. And here we are, sitting 11-2 with Maye as MVP candidate and with all those guys you mentioned now playing and looking like actual NFL-capable players. Just another reminder of how important having a good QB is and having real coaching is.

And we didn’t have a bust in free agency. And we didn’t have a bust in the draft, with this being the best class since 2013 at least.

We might really be able to go best player available who fits the team’s scheme and culture in next year’s draft.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Question for Cap and contract knowing people: Can they redo Diggs deal to free up some money?

Without an extension (real or void years), they can reduce his 2026 salary to the minimum and convert the rest into a signing bonus, pushing $9.65M into 2027.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

And by BPA, you mean: Binkie Player Available.

That must mean 100 BPAs for Mayoclinic.

 

[captain stone]

When you'll be picking around 28th in each round, you wait your turn then re-evaluate... Also depends on our success or lack thereof during the first month of free agency... So as of right now our more immediate needs, in no particular order, are:

Offense: Starting C/LG, Starting RG, PowerBack (both Onemenu & The Fumbler & their bloated contracts can hit the ****ing bricks after this year. Thanks Eliot!)

Defense: Starting DE/Pass-RusherS, backup Outside CB, backup Slot CB (our CB "depth" is THE WORST in ALL of football. Inexcusable, really.)

Centers, Guards & PowerBacks are some of the cheapest positions in football. No excuse whatsoever, especially with all of our cap space, not to have established starters/young studs ready to go by May OTAs.

DE//Pass-Rushers are Much more expensive; but our needs to Upgrayedd from Landry, Chaisson et al are so great that I would both sign a starting-caliber free agent AND use a top-100 pick on one... CB depth - REAL ****ING DEPTH, not this pile of never-will-be Crap - should Easily be had via free agency, Day 3 of the draft, and even post-draft.

 

[BobDigital]

Not much to add here except the following. At this point I am all in on Elliss. He's looked good for over 6 weeks now (the ones he's played and just continues to trend up. Keep in mind he is only 26 and has worked his butt off to get to where he is as an UDFA... he has shown steady improvement and he is playing now the best he has ever played.

Gibbens is a guy I've really grown to like too and he has shown he can be trusted with the green dot. The defense didn't miss a beat when Elliss was out. So i'd really like to see him resigned and it shouldn't cost too much. He won't demand play maker money, just 'not blow the play' money. Which is all you want from him. Call it right, be in the right spot, make the tackle. What else do you want in a solid back up really?

The problem is Tavai and Mapu. Both are here in 2026. I know they may say you can never have too much depth... but 5 deep is a lot. And we will need to pay people. I am thinking maybe they should look to move someone. Tavai probably makes the most sense contract wise and unlike other guys he has played well here so it shouldn't be hard. If we go player for player we could maybe get something back for him that is pretty good.

If we could trade him for say... a 5th or even him and a 5th for a 4th, isn't that something to consider? I know we have a lot of draft picks. But we could then package some of those together as well. Or maybe do a player for player trade. Trade Tavai for an back up edge guy or back up CB. Where ever you could use some extra depth.

I think this is something the Pats should consider.

 

[manxman2601]

Not much to add here except the following. At this point I am all in on Elliss. He's looked good for over 6 weeks now (the ones he's played and just continues to trend up. Keep in mind he is only 26 and has worked his butt off to get to where he is as an UDFA... he has shown steady improvement and he is playing now the best he has ever played.

Gibbens is a guy I've really grown to like too and he has shown he can be trusted with the green dot. The defense didn't miss a beat when Elliss was out. So i'd really like to see him resigned and it shouldn't cost too much. He won't demand play maker money, just 'not blow the play' money. Which is all you want from him. Call it right, be in the right spot, make the tackle. What else do you want in a solid back up really?

The problem is Tavai and Mapu. Both are here in 2026. I know they may say you can never have too much depth... but 5 deep is a lot. And we will need to pay people. I am thinking maybe they should look to move someone. Tavai probably makes the most sense contract wise and unlike other guys he has played well here so it shouldn't be hard. If we go player for player we could maybe get something back for him that is pretty good.

If we could trade him for say... a 5th or even him and a 5th for a 4th, isn't that something to consider? I know we have a lot of draft picks. But we could then package some of those together as well. Or maybe do a player for player trade. Trade Tavai for an back up edge guy or back up CB. Where ever you could use some extra depth.

I think this is something the Pats should consider.

I agree Tavai is the most expendable but considering his lack of reps, I don’t think his trade value will be very much at all.

 

[mayoclinic]

Yes, please.

Hunter Henry and Isaiah Likely at TE in 2026.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Yes, please.

Hunter Henry and Isaiah Likely at TE in 2026.

C Otton is a FA too.

 

[mayoclinic]

Either a major upgrade over Austin Hooper.

2026 is deep at TE, draft a developmental one day 3.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Either a major upgrade over Austin Hooper.

2026 is deep at TE, draft a developmental one day 3.

Add a FB too.