Offseason player acquisition thread

[DaBruinz]

Sign Alaric Jackson, LT. Sign Trey Smith OG. Sign Azeez Ojulari Edge. Sign Milton Williams DT.

Trade 2nd Rd pick for AJ Brown

Trade Back from #4 for 2nd and 3rd rd picks. Take Ty Warren TE, then trade 2nd and 3rd round picks to move back into the 1st and take Josh Conerly OT Oregon.

* I wanted to add either Zach Baun or Javon Holland, but I wanted to keep it somewhat realistic, and I think they could get this done if the players hit free agency.

I didn’t think the AJ Brown talk was realistic, then I heard that he was reading a book on the sidelines during a playoff game. That’s as big a FU to the Eagles as it gets, and a 2nd round pick is good trade value to the Eagles for him, especially the Patriots 2nd round pick. And I believe Vrabel wants him, and he would want to play for Vrabel again, The Eagles would also be trading him out of the conference, so I think think this is actually doable.

What makes you think that Smith, a RG, can move to LG?

 

[Real fan 02]

Realistically what would be better use of that money? If the pats aren’t willing to offer top of the market contracts no one is signing with them. If they only look for team friendly/value contracts this free agency will go just like last years.

Pats need to spend money in free agency and the cap will be rising each year until the league stops growing. What might seem like a ridiculous contract today could be seen as good value in a few years.

Drawing the line on a FA target at lower than the market will bear is getting “too cute”. We went through this last year with Ridley and look how our receiver room ended up last year.

I want to see them target the best free agents they can and offer them top of the market deals.

Highly agree! The organization had gotten so use to doing business as business is done over the year. Going with value over talent in the draft and in FA. The draft is a large reason why we are where we Fe right now. As you said they have the $$$ and need to target Premier players at the skill positions that are impactful on a team. Nothing wrong with adding depth guys however after the main positions are solidified.. LT,WR, DE, DT, LB

 

[DaBruinz]

Jake Majors or Jared Wilson are Centers I would draft. They both could start on Day 1, or if not needed to, will be there if injury occurs.

Who are you keeping out of Cole Strange, Dave Andrews, Jake Andrews, Lecitius Smith and Ben Brown? They are 5 of the 13 OL currently on the Pats roster.

 

[JohnJH]

O-Line: Alaric Jackson OT; Cam Robinson OT; Teven Jenkins OT&G; Will Fries G; Drew Dalman C --> sign at least two of them
WR: Higgings / Godwin / Cooper / Diggs

I am not so thrilled with the idea of trey smith as i view him as a RG only where we already have onwenu. Don't know how he has LG flexibility or experience. Teven Jenkins has played OT and LG for the bears.

Defense:
DT_ Williams, Onwuzurike
DE: Chase Young, Odeyinbgo, Sweat -> 2 starters needed
LB: Nick Bolton --> replace tavai

Draft:
Mason Graham
trade up for Josh Conerly

Well thought-out. Nice.

 

[JohnJH]

Who are you keeping out of Cole Strange, Dave Andrews, Jake Andrews, Lecitius Smith and Ben Brown? They are 5 of the 10 OL currently on the Pats roster.

Dave Andrews might retire, if not before camp, he could do so during camp. He's too much of an unknown and at best (if he makes it through an entire season healthy), we still need his replacement. Strange needs to prove he can be solid at Center. Jake Andrews is not someone (or any of the others), that will prevent me from taking a legit young center in this draft. Ben Brown doesn't instill confidence. Perhaps with better OL coaching (which is a must anyway), the OL will get better. But Center is still a NEED. We need to stop ****ing around with patchwork/maybe's/JAGS on the OL. Maye's health and success depends on it. I would keep Strange, as strange as that may seem. Just given his age and if he can stay healthy and improve at Center, might be viable.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

Dave Andrews might retire, if not before camp, he could do so during camp. He's too much of an unknown and at best (if he makes it through an entire season healthy), we still need his replacement. Strange needs to prove he can be solid at Center. Jake Andrews is not someone (or any of the others), that will prevent me from taking a legit young center in this draft. Ben Brown doesn't instill confidence. Perhaps with better OL coaching (which is a must anyway), the OL will get better. But Center is still a NEED. We need to stop ****ing around with patchwork/maybe's/JAGS on the OL. Maye's health and success depends on it. I would keep Strange, as strange as that may seem. Just given his age and if he can stay healthy and improve at Center, might be viable.

exactly, C is the second most important position on the O-Line if not the most in terms of protection shifts etc. Jake Andrews has shown exactly nothing. Drew Dalman is young and available in FA, i doubt the falcons resign him. He is a stellar run blocker, if the pats want to run more zone he is the guy. The draft isn't loaded with great centers but if no center is signed they should look at the draft, they can be guard backups too since the guard backups are **** too

 

[dliverey44]

Yeah, you are right on that count. Perry thinking the Pats could pry Tom away seems a bit of a head scratcher. Granted Green Bay has a high value low cost guy in Travis Glover pushing him on the depth chart but Tom is only $3M against the cap for a Packers team that has enough space. Tom is going to make bank after next season so his comp pick value will most likely be a 3rd rounder, certainly no lower than a 4th.

Not only is it hard to see Green Bay parting with him, it's not at all realistic to think they'd do it before the 2025 trade deadline. And that's just from the Packers side of the equation. From a Pats standpoint how would we all feel about giving up our high 3rd for one year of an affordable RT we'd then have to back up the money truck to keep? Just doesn't seem like a likely trade target

He is a free agent in 2026 and is probably headed for a significant pay day. He had over 1000 snaps and only 7 penalties while allowing 3 sacks and 25 pressures. I am not sure how GB looks with the cap, but I think they have a good amount of good free agents coming up. He is a RT and he will be paid toward the top of OT salaries.

 

[dliverey44]

Tom has been primarily used at LG.

He had over 1000 snaps at RT

 

[maust]

So... you essentially agree with what I posted... is what I'm getting there... I guess

 

[JohnJH]

exactly, C is the second most important position on the O-Line if not the most in terms of protection shifts etc. Jake Andrews has shown exactly nothing. Drew Dalman is young and available in FA, i doubt the falcons resign him. He is a stellar run blocker, if the pats want to run more zone he is the guy. The draft isn't loaded with great centers but if no center is signed they should look at the draft, they can be guard backups too since the guard backups are **** too

Jake Majors (6'3-315) Texas, and Jared Wilson (6'3-310) Georgia, are two true Centers (from major programs) who will probably be there in the 3rd and 4th Rounds. It's criminal that we've essentially been just relying on David Andrews for several seasons now, with no solid Center behind him. I recall that during the first 4 SB's we had at least two solid Centers on the team.

 

[DaBruinz]

A lot of free agency is going to depend on whether or not Wolf still has the ridiculous mantra of not signing a player who is 30+. I'm going with the idea that he will still be following it. ..

What I'm curious to find out is what defense Vrabel is going to run. Will it be a Nickel variant (4/2 or 3/3) or will it be a Traditional base (4/3 or 3/4)? That will go a long way to determining the players to focus on in regards to the defense.


Here are the players I'd look at:

O-Line:
Alaric Jackson
Matt Peart
Jake Driscoll
Robert Hainsey
Teven Jenkins


WR: (note- I do NOT believe the Pats should bring in an outside WR unless they believe that both Polk and Baker are complete busts)

Elijah Moore
Dyami Brown
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Josh Palmer


D-Line: (DT / 3-4 DE)
Bobby Brown
Naquan Jones


DE/OLB:
Josh Sweat
Michael Hoecht
Joseph Ossai
James Smith-Williams
Jesse Luketa *(currently RFA, may be viable if he doesn't receive tender) .

CB:
Brandon Stephens
Kristian Fulton
Carlton Davis
DJ Reed
Eric Stokes
Brandin Echols - Special Teams Ace

S:
Justin Reid


Players to potentially avoid:
Dan Moore - Gave up league leading sacks at LT
Cam Robinson (Something happened week 15, because from then on, he got worse. Including the WC game where he gave up 11 hurries).
Talanoa Hufanga - He's a lesser Dugger/Peppers type safety.


I expect the Pats to bring back guys like Hooper, Elliss (RFA), Austin (ERFA), and Pharms (ERFA).

 

[DaBruinz]

Jake Majors (6'3-315) Texas, and Jared Wilson (6'3-310) Georgia, are two true Centers (from major programs) who will probably be there in the 3rd and 4th Rounds. It's criminal that we've essentially been just relying on David Andrews for several seasons now, with no solid Center behind him. I recall that during the first 4 SB's we had at least two solid Centers on the team.

You're not remembering accurately.

2001:
Woody, Grey Reugamer, Mike Compton (starting LG)

2003:
Dan Koppen, Russ Hochstein, Damian Woody (Starting LG)

2004:
Koppen, Hochstein, Gene Mruzkowski

2014:
Bryan Stork, Ryan Wendell, Dan Connolloy.



Hochstein, Wendell, and Connolly weren't considered to be "solid" at the time. They were no different than James Ferentz. So it's a fantasy that you're pushing that they had 2 solid centers on the team in 2001, 2003 or 2004. Especially since Woody was anything but solid.

 

[n1997y]

A trade wastes a draft pick. I am hoping Vrabel and staff can draft well and I don't want to waste picks when we need players. Trade for Garrett and AJ Brown and we lose half our good draft picks.

Using a draft pick to draft a prospect risks them not living up to expectations.

Using a draft pick to trade for an established player eliminates that risk,

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Using a draft pick to draft a prospect risks them not living up to expectations.

Using a draft pick to trade for an established player eliminates that risk,

Agreed but you have to pay that established player which eliminates another FA we could have signed.

You are guaranteed to lose a FA signing, you are not guaranteed to make a bad draft pick.

 

[dliverey44]

Washington brought signed 26 players external and their own FAs. 11 of those were starters. I think that we need to take that approach rather than blowing our load on 5 superstars. They raised the level of their starters and depth. We have several players that could be upgraded.

 

[PowerRunRevival]

A lot of free agency is going to depend on whether or not Wolf still has the ridiculous mantra of not signing a player who is 30+. I'm going with the idea that he will still be following it. ..

What I'm curious to find out is what defense Vrabel is going to run. Will it be a Nickel variant (4/2 or 3/3) or will it be a Traditional base (4/3 or 3/4)? That will go a long way to determining the players to focus on in regards to the defense.


Here are the players I'd look at:

O-Line:
Alaric Jackson
Matt Peart
Jake Driscoll
Robert Hainsey
Teven Jenkins


WR: (note- I do NOT believe the Pats should bring in an outside WR unless they believe that both Polk and Baker are complete busts)

Elijah Moore
Dyami Brown
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Josh Palmer


D-Line: (DT / 3-4 DE)
Bobby Brown
Naquan Jones


DE/OLB:
Josh Sweat
Michael Hoecht
Joseph Ossai
James Smith-Williams
Jesse Luketa *(currently RFA, may be viable if he doesn't receive tender) .

CB:
Brandon Stephens
Kristian Fulton
Carlton Davis
DJ Reed
Eric Stokes
Brandin Echols - Special Teams Ace

S:
Justin Reid


Players to potentially avoid:
Dan Moore - Gave up league leading sacks at LT
Cam Robinson (Something happened week 15, because from then on, he got worse. Including the WC game where he gave up 11 hurries).
Talanoa Hufanga - He's a lesser Dugger/Peppers type safety.


I expect the Pats to bring back guys like Hooper, Elliss (RFA), Austin (ERFA), and Pharms (ERFA).

With the way the league is id prefer that they play a big nickel (2 cb, 3 safeties) I think I read during the season that Mayo and Covington had the Pats playing much more out of a base personnel set than in previous years.

I agree with you about the receivers unless they are signing Tee Higgins, or trading for Aj Brown/DK. Outside of Higgins I’m not really interested in any of the free agent receivers. I’d rather have them continue to invest in receivers in the draft (bringing in at least one more).

Completely agree about the defensive positions to target in free agency. I think some combination of boundary corner, deep safety, dt and an edge rushers are realistic positions the Pats could fill in free agency based on what’s available.

I’d love to see them address tackle in free agency but I’m not optimistic the supply will be there in free agency.

 

[JohnJH]

You're not remembering accurately.

2001:
Woody, Grey Reugamer, Mike Compton (starting LG)

2003:
Dan Koppen, Russ Hochstein, Damian Woody (Starting LG)

2004:
Koppen, Hochstein, Gene Mruzkowski

2014:
Bryan Stork, Ryan Wendell, Dan Connolloy.



Hochstein, Wendell, and Connolly weren't considered to be "solid" at the time. They were no different than James Ferentz. So it's a fantasy that you're pushing that they had 2 solid centers on the team in 2001, 2003 or 2004. Especially since Woody was anything but solid.

I apologize. You're just too brilliant for the rest of us imperfect mere mortals. I bow to your superior intellect. Even so, the gist of what I was inferring was correct. Center has been neglected for the last several years.

 

[n1997y]

Agreed but you have to pay that established player which eliminates another FA we could have signed.

You are guaranteed to lose a FA signing, you are not guaranteed to make a bad draft pick.

I don’t expect the team will run out of cap before the FA pool dries up, even if we also use some cap on trades. TBH I’ll be shocked if we sign enough FAs for it to even be a remote possibility. Especially based on recent past FA signings by this FO. Very much doubt Kraft will loosen the purse strings that much. Plus contracts can be structured or restructured to alleviate such constraints if needed. So I’m still inclined to value the risk reduction from trading for established NFL players enough to make it a preference. Don’t really expect there will be all that many attractive trade opportunities anyway, but if they are there we should take maximum advantage of those opportunities.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Realistically what would be better use of that money? If the pats aren’t willing to offer top of the market contracts no one is signing with them. If they only look for team friendly/value contracts this free agency will go just like last years.

Pats need to spend money in free agency and the cap will be rising each year until the league stops growing. What might seem like a ridiculous contract today could be seen as good value in a few years.

Drawing the line on a FA target at lower than the market will bear is getting “too cute”. We went through this last year with Ridley and look how our receiver room ended up last year.

I want to see them target the best free agents they can and offer them top of the market deals.

Spending that kind of money on a #2 receiver, when both lines need to be upgraded doesn’t make sense to me. My heaviest investment would come on the Oline, and the Dline would be second. They should trade for and draft the receivers,

 

[upstater1]

Highly agree! The organization had gotten so use to doing business as business is done over the year. Going with value over talent in the draft and in FA. The draft is a large reason why we are where we Fe right now. As you said they have the $$$ and need to target Premier players at the skill positions that are impactful on a team. Nothing wrong with adding depth guys however after the main positions are solidified.. LT,WR, DE, DT, LB

Having a deep team is just as important as having a star-studded team. There is no evidence that having stars is the way to win in the NFL, since plenty of teams with depth have won a lot of games. The old Patriots, current Chiefs and Bills won with depth. KC is not a star studded team. Neither are the Bills.

One philosophy puts value in not having any weak spots across the field while the other believes you need force multipliers at key positions.