The Tight End Dilemma

[OldEngland]

Per a Wolf press conference, they had a debate when selecting Raridon because they had more than one player with the same rating. In the end went with the need position.

So in the same vein, who was the other player(s)?

The Pats didn't pick again until 171 after Raridon 95, so it makes narrowing it down a bit harder than normal. If you take the prospects the Pats had contact with (which is far from infallible, but a good frame of reference), the following prospects went in that range:

102 Jude Bowry OT, 104 Kaleb Proctor DT, 107 Gracen Halton DT, 109 Jadon Canady CB, 113 Jalen Farmer IOL, 116 Kionte Scott CB, 117 Travis Burke OT, 118 Jimmy Rolder LB, 120 Dani Dennis Sutton DE, 122 Michael Washington RB, 132 Jeremiah Wright IOL, 151 Zakee Wheatley S, 156 George Gumbs DE, 157 Keith Abney.

If they had a similar ranked player as Raridon taken at 95, you could assume there would be a point they would consider trading up from 171 for them. 171+191 gets you to roughly 137 on the trade chart, and there were also rumours of the Pats trying to trade up to get DE Trey Moore, who went to the Dolphins at 130. If you were to have a guess, I'd probably start with those players, but there were also some good WRs, CBs and LBs not on the contact list.

 

[Huckleberry1]

There were question marks about Simmons’ maturity.

Which turned out to be completely untrue, as the steal of the draft ended up never missing a practice or a game, and could be counted upon to always be there for his teammates. He even became the only rookie to be featured on a milk carton.

 

[manxman2601]

Which turned out to be completely untrue, as the steal of the draft ended up never missing a practice or a game, and could be counted upon to always be there for his teammates. He even became the only rookie to be featured on a milk carton.

You had me until the bolded. I was going to go full keyboard warrior on your ass!

 

[mayoclinic]

Good read:

How the Rams taught the entire NFL to count to 13

Sean McVay has set the tone for another NFL offensive trend, and this time, it’s all about the tight ends. The 2026 NFL draft told the whole story.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[manxman2601]

Good read:

How the Rams taught the entire NFL to count to 13

Sean McVay has set the tone for another NFL offensive trend, and this time, it’s all about the tight ends. The 2026 NFL draft told the whole story.

sports.yahoo.com

I watched this a week or so ago and wondered about posting it. In light of your post, I will. It's very good.



I think the more interesting question from a Patriots prospective about the 13 personnel dilemma is less how you implement it and more about how you defend it. Basically bigger safeties or more athletic linebackers who can defend the run when the 13 personnel offense goes big on the LoS, or can drop into coverage when the offense spreads out.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think the more interesting question from a Patriots prospective about the 13 personnel dilemma is less how you implement it and more about how you defend it. Basically bigger safeties or more athletic linebackers who can defend the run when the 13 personnel offense goes big on the LoS, or can drop into coverage when the offense spreads out.

Athletic and versatile LBs and safeties are key. Also big CBs.

Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Jacob Rodriguez, Josiah Trotter, Jake Golday and CJ Allen all went top 2 rounds in 2026. For 2027 you potentially have Sammy Brown, KVA, Chris Cole and Ben Roberts to start, plus Rasheem Biles, Ray Coney, Sammy Ososighbo, Tony Rojas and Arion Carter.

Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman, Treydan Stukes, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Bud Clark all went top 2 rounds in 2026. For 2027 you potentially have KJ Bolden, Tae Johnson, Jelani McDonald, Koi Perich, Ty Benefield, Zach Lutmer and Daeshawn Spears, plus Amare Ferrell and Tao Johnson.

I think 2027 should reload these positions.

Chess match game on.

 

[manxman2601]

Athletic and versatile LBs and safeties are key. Also big CBs.

Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Jacob Rodriguez, Josiah Trotter, Jake Golday and CJ Allen all went top 2 rounds in 2026. For 2027 you potentially have Sammy Brown, KVA, Chris Cole and Ben Roberts to start, plus Rasheem Biles, Ray Coney, Sammy Ososighbo, Tony Rojas and Arion Carter.

Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman, Treydan Stukes, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Bud Clark all went top 2 rounds in 2026. For 2027 you potentially have KJ Bolden, Tae Johnson, Jelani McDonald, Koi Perich, Ty Benefield, Zach Lutmer and Daeshawn Spears, plus Amare Ferrell and Tao Johnson.

I think 2027 should reload these positions.

Chess match game on.

If you're defending against TEs in coverage, height would also be important - 6'2, 6'3 at least. So big enough to take on extra blockers in the run game, tall enough to match up with TEs in coverage. That way you defend the 13 set whether it's playing big on the LoS or spread out.

So basically, Ben Roberts (6'3", 235) over Rasheem Biles (6'1", 220). Benefield/Spears are both 6'3" and 200lbs plus. KJ Bolden might be the better pure safety but he's only listed at 6'.

 

[mayoclinic]

I agree height and length matter. Prefer rangy safeties around 6'2 200# (Treydan Stukes the prototype). Prefer CB's >= 6'0". Kelley Jones at 6'4" with movement skills is very intriguing.

For LBs, I don't see any Jake Golday types, but KVA, Chris Cole and Ben Roberts are all 6'3", Sammy Brown, Tony Rojas and Ray Coney are 6'2", Arion Carter, Rasheem Biles and Sammy Omosighbo 6'1". Arm length and vertical can also factor in.

 

[mayoclinic]

The Rise of 12 and 13 Personnel: Sam Roush Will Be the Most Impactful Bears Rookie

The Rise of 12 and 13 Personnel: Why @iamcogs thinks rookie TE Sam Roush will pay dividends for the 2026 Bears.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

Didn't know where to put this, but it's relevant to covering multiple TE sets:

'Star' power: Cooper DeJean, Derwin James headline NFL's top five players at an increasingly vital position

In this edition of the Scout's Notebook, Bucky Brooks explores an increasingly vital position on NFL defenses. Who are the top five 'star' defenders in 2026? Freshly paid Pro Bowler Derwin James makes the list, but he's not No. 1.

www.nfl.com

Damn Wolf for passing on Cooper DeJean. All-time f*uck up.

 

[mayoclinic]

Cooper DeJean lands ahead of Derwin James on a list of 'STAR' defenders

Bucky Brooks recently identified Cooper DeJean as the NFL's premier "STAR" defender, placing him ahead of some of the league's biggest names.

theeagleswire.usatoday.com

 

[mayoclinic]

Julian Hill will be missed this year.

 

[captain stone]

...Damn Wolf for passing on Cooper DeJean. All-time f*uck up.

Ahead of McConkey?

I do admit though, if you're gonna trade backwards, you don't do it to draft Another WR...

 

[mayoclinic]

Easily. Not close.

 

[captain stone]

The Rise of 12 and 13 Personnel: Sam Roush Will Be the Most Impactful Bears Rookie

The Rise of 12 and 13 Personnel: Why @iamcogs thinks rookie TE Sam Roush will pay dividends for the 2026 Bears.

sports.yahoo.com

So little chance then of a Booty - Kmet trade...?

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mgteich]

Ahead of McConkey?

I do admit though, if you're gonna trade backwards, you don't do it to draft Another WR...

There many here who wanted McConkey.

DeJean was the BPA at the time and still is as we look back with hindsight.

 

[mayoclinic]

NFL.com | Official Site of the National Football League

The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more.

www.nfl.com

 

[mayoclinic]

TEs getting paid.

NFL Network: Jaguars, TE Brenton Strange agree to terms on 3-year extension worth up to $48 million

Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange has agreed to terms on a three-year extension worth up to $48 million, per NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero.

www.nfl.com