The Difficulties in Hitting Our Three Biggest Needs: OT, EDGE, and X WR

[mayoclinic]

I sure hope that doesn't happen.

 

[Clonamery]

True.
Maybe we do make 11 picks, but I think a trade up or 2 and making 8-9 picks is more likely.

Maybe but UFDAs.

 

[dliverey44]

I sure hope that doesn't happen.

I also do not want them to trade for Brown, but do think that he will help the offense tremendously well. I do not think Brown is a necessity and would prefer them to use the picks on rooks.

 

[mayoclinic]

Exploring three different paths for Patriots' first three picks in NFL Draft

Phil Perry and Mike Renner map out three different scenarios for the Patriots in the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

 

[DaBruinz]

Y not? 1 TE, 1 WR, 2 OL, 3 DL & EDGE, 1 CB, 1 S, 1 LB, 1 RB.

Sure we could trade for AJ B or move a pick forward or use 1 to move up. But I wouldn't be surprised after last year.

For certain:
1TE, 2 OL, 1 Edge, 1 LB, 1 CB, 1 S, 1 RB.

Beyond that, who knows. My druthers would be another TE, LB, and Edge. But we could see a WR or DT.

 

[scott99]

I would add TE to the needs list. If a guy like Eli Stowers is available at 31 (I highly doubt it), it would be a huge mistake to pass him up. He’s a true game changer at TE. He’d be like a big WR considering his measurables. 6’4” 240, ran a 4.51 and had a 45.5 vertical (you read that right). Won the John Mackey Award for best NCAA tight end, so he’s not just a physical freak, I’m not just ranking him on just his measurables.

 

[mayoclinic]

Everyone has their own favorites and slant.

Personally, I like Stowers. Former QB, has only been playing TE for 3 years, insane athleticism. He offers some unique traits. I gave him as my #2 TE on my short board, after Sam Roush (a completely different type of TE).

But Stowers is a really just a glorified big slot receiver only. He operates almost completely from the slot, doesn't offer much in the way of blocking, and has little ST experience.

I could be wrong, but I don't see him likely to go 1st round. Day 2, definitely. Harold Fannin - who had a great rookie season - dropped to the 3rd round.

 

[scott99]

Everyone has their own favorites and slant.

Personally, I like Stowers. Former QB, has only been playing TE for 3 years, insane athleticism. He offers some unique traits. I gave him as my #2 TE on my short board, after Sam Roush (a completely different type of TE).

But Stowers is a really just a glorified big slot receiver only. He operates almost completely from the slot, doesn't offer much in the way of blocking, and has little ST experience.

I could be wrong, but I don't see him likely to go 1st round. Day 2, definitely. Harold Fannin - who had a great rookie season - dropped to the 3rd round.

I don’t think he lasts until round two. Certainly not where we pick round 2. I would guess that most teams have him as TE2, and I would be shocked if Kenyon Sadiq was the ONLY TE drafted in the first round.

We signed a blocking TE in free agency, I don’t care if Stowers isn’t known as a good blocker. He is known as a willing blocker. What I care about is getting an explosive receiving TE, and that’s what Stowers is. I take a glorified big slot receiver. Henry will be gone in 2027, we need his successor.

But we need more weapons for Maye, plain & simple.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I don’t think he lasts until round two. Certainly not where we pick round 2. I would guess that most teams have him as TE2, and I would be shocked if Kenyon Sadiq was the ONLY TE drafted in the first round.

We signed a blocking TE in free agency, I don’t care if Stowers isn’t known as a good blocker. He is known as a willing blocker. What I care about is getting an explosive receiving TE, and that’s what Stowers is. I take a glorified big slot receiver. Henry will be gone in 2027, we need his successor.

But we need more weapons for Maye, plain & simple.

There are a lot of real good pass catching TEs in the draft with really good athletic testing numbers. Stowers shouldn't go in the 1st, and definitely not for us.
We can go with someone like Delp or Roush rds 2-4. I still like Gyllenborg, Villari and Koziol, and all those goes might be available in rd 5 or later.

 

[uknepatsfan]

I like TJ Parker if he’s there at 31.

 

[mgteich]

I like TJ Parker if he’s there at 31.

Curiously, Parker is the consensus BPA and Jeremiah's BPA. Jeremuiah thinks that we will ignore BPA and draft CB Johnson.

Also, McDonald is a consensus #33 and a Jeremiah #28 (ahead of Johnson's #35 rating on both the consensus and Jeremiah lists).

So much for BPA!
===========
Obviously, Jeremiah thinks that Johnson is higher on Vrabel's board than Parker and McDonald. It can't be very close or I would think that the team would favor the EDGE player and NT over selecting a CB.

 

[PatsFan2]

Mayo!!

 

[Wozzy]

TE is probably their next biggest remaining need.

WR isn’t a need at all if they already know AJ Brown is coming here.

There might be two truly impact EDGE players left on the board, and they probably won’t be at the back of the round. But you can grab an impact TE, LB,OG or CB. Don’t reach….

 

[Rdforty2]

TE is probably their next biggest remaining need.

WR isn’t a need at all if they already know AJ Brown is coming here.

There might be two truly impact EDGE players left on the board, and they probably won’t be at the back of the round. But you can grab an impact TE, LB,OG or CB. Don’t reach….

Id say edge is the clear top need left.

I think Howell, Thomas, Jacas, Crawford, and Barham would provide impact speed rush off the edge as rookies. Parker, Young, DDS, and Moore bring a more physical profile but still impactful. Maybe Barham isnt the best value, but i think hes still worth it at 63.

Even Golday or Hill could help the pass rush without being true edges.

 

[bakes781]

Raridon can play the X no?

 

[captain stone]

I think it's becoming established here on this forum that OT, EDGE and X-WR are our three biggest needs. Yes, there's other possibilities - just going BPA for example or hitting a TE, RB, DB or LB as another - but I think OT, EDGE and X-WR are where we're at by and large. The Pats missed out on Alec Pierce and only swapped K'Lavon Chaisson for Dre'Mont Jones, apparently not making a serious run at any of the top pass rushers. While a trade could still be an option, the draft is still the most likely place to build foundational young talent.

However there are difficulties. Most of the best prospects, even at the second level, are likely gone by pick 63, much less 95. Looking at the 3 different positions:

1. OT. "Protect the Drake" is my personal top priority. Will Campbell is coming off a knee injury, and Morgan Moses could retire at any time, and will almost certainly last past 2026. There are 7 players - Monroe Freeling, Francis Mauigoa, Max Iheanachor, Caleb Lomu, Blake Miller, Spencer Fano, and Kadyn Proctor - who will go in the top 40, all could be off the board by 31. After that there is nothing. I have Dametrious Crownover as a 3rd round prospect, then Travis Burke, currently 345 on PFFs big board. I am not a fan of Caleb Tiernan, Gennings Dunker, Jude Bowry, or Austin Barber. Keagan Trost and JC Davis have some swing tackle potential, though I think both are better suited at RG.

2. EDGE. Everyone wants to be able to pressure the opposing QB. Harold Landry is coming off a knee injury. After that it's Jones, Elijah Ponder, and Bradyn Swinson. Clearly not enough. The EDGE class is very deep, with as many as 16 top-100 prospects, plus a lot of day 3 developmental talent. Arvell Reese, David Bailey and Rueben Bain will all be long gone. The chances of Keldric Faulk or Akheem Mesidor lasting to 31 are remote. Unless that happens, I think EDGE at 31 is a reach. TJ Parker, Zion Young, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Malachi Lawrence, Gabe Jacas, and Derrick Moore are all good options in the second round, but all could be gone by 63. Keyron Crawford and Jonathan Joseph are good 3rd round options. I am not personally a fan of the sub rusher types - Cashius Howell, R Mason Thomas, and Romello Height.

3. X WR. Stretching the field is priority #2 on offense. Missing out on Alec Pierce hurt. I do not see an X WR worth taking at 31 unless Jordyn Tyson goes into free fall. Chris Bell, Ted Hurst and Denzel Boston are all worthy 2nd round picks, but may not last until 63. The other day 3 possibilities - Chris Brazzell, Ja'Kobi Lane, Malachi Fields and Bryce Lance - all scare me. After that it is a bunch of day 3 developmental guys with upside.

So what would you do?

My preference:

31. I probably take any of the top OL if available. If Faulk, Mesidor or Tyson Jordan are available then they should also get serious consideration. Otherwise, either take BPA at another position uf a top talent slips (Caleb Banks, Jermod McCoy, Dillon Thieneman, Kenyon Sadiq) or trade back from 31 and target one of the EDGE or X WR prospects.

63. If we went OT at 31, hope one of the 2nd tier EDGEs or the 3 X WRs slips. Possibly trade up if a specific guy is highly coveted. Don't over-reach, especially if a really good player at another position slips (Banks, Lee Hunter, Treydan Stukes, Jake Golday, Jacob Rodriguez, Eli Stowers, Mike Washington). If OT was not taken at 31, I see no one worth taking here, unless someone slips and we trade up. Trading back may also be an option, as 70-75 looks like a possible "sweet spot".

95. If OT was not taken, Dametrious Crownover is the only tackle I would even consider. Anyone previously mentioned who slips. I don't like the other X WRs, would wait till day 3. Kyle Louis, Devin Moore, Sam Roush, Max Klare are all possible BPAs. Trading up may be needed.

Because these three needs are where most of this discussion is, I just wanted to lay out, as starkly as possible where things currently stand and what the options currently are. It may well end up that these needs are not well aligned with the values available when we pick.

So what are your favourite options?

Could've filled the WR need at 125 too, if Eliot The **** were an actual Man and called Barfalo's (& KC's) bluff and waited until 31 for Lomu, because Nobody was going to take him at Either 28, 29 Or 30.