What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Draft

[captain stone]

What positions are the Patriots set at? I have QB, RB, CB 1, kicker, and TE (this is debatable because Henry is getting up there in age and miles).

They're also set at whatever position Campbell plays... and at 3-Tech DT... and at Slot CB... and at SS. That's about it though.

 

[captain stone]

I would also try to sign the best available UDFA punter as soon as the draft ends, even though I would already have signed the best available veteran UFA punter during the pre-draft phase of the free agency period.

 

[mayoclinic]

With 2026 during to officially start in 1 hour:

- EDGE. I can't believe Landry, Jones, Ponder and Swinson is adequate. A trade (Thibodoux, Greenard) could still happen.

- Alpha X. I am not of the Cult of Verticality, but I wanted Alec Pierce. But not at that price.

- TE.

- RT. The left side of the line is great, as long as AVT can stay on the field. The right side is adequate for 2026 but not beyond, and is misaligned with the left in terms of athleticism and schematic fit.

- RG. See above for RT.

- Swing tackle..

- S. Craig Wpodson and Kevin Byard ok, but Byard aging and on a 1 year deal.

- LB. So pissed we didn't sign Leo Chenal.

- Outside CB depth.

- RB depth.

That's a lot of needs, more than I wanted at this point. Some will be addressed in FA, but some work to do in the draft.

 

[stelfans]

At this point all they did was swap players. One could argue they are slightly better but it’s marginal at best. They are either trading for Crosby or Brown or are putting all the chips on the draft.

I would say the biggest needs as of today are EDGE and TE, with S and WR close.
IOL and T need to be drafted as well. Another LB wouldn’t hurt. That’s a lot of holes to fill.

 

[Rdforty2]

With 2026 during to officially start in 1 hour:

- EDGE. I can't believe Landry, Jones, Ponder and Swinson is adequate. A trade (Thibodoux, Greenard) could still happen.

- Alpha X. I am not of the Cult of Verticality, but I wanted Alec Pierce. But not at that price.

- TE.

- RT. The left side of the line is great, as long as AVT can stay on the field. The right side is adequate for 2026 but not beyond, and is misaligned with the left in terms of athleticism and schematic fit.

- RG. See above for RT.

- Swing tackle..

- S. Craig Wpodson and Kevin Byard ok, but Byard aging and on a 1 year deal.

- LB. So pissed we didn't sign Leo Chenal.

- Outside CB depth.

- RB depth.

That's a lot of needs, more than I wanted at this point. Some will be addressed in FA, but some work to do in the draft.

Im happy with FA so far. Work still to be done.

But at this point, the one issue that stands out to me is despite some additions, the positions still need to be added.

S, WR, and edge have added instant impact guys but havent truly solved or upgraded anything. Basically just covering for the losses. So picks still need to be used to get younger/better/long term answers.

Hoping for maybe a Will Dissly signing so that TE can wait until day 3. The first 3 picks are going to be important for WR, edge, S, and possibly OL or LB.

 

[manxman2601]

Im happy with FA so far. Work still to be done.

But at this point, the one issue that stands out to me is despite some additions, the positions still need to be added.

S, WR, and edge have added instant impact guys but havent truly solved or upgraded anything. Basically just covering for the losses. So picks still need to be used to get younger/better/long term answers.

Hoping for maybe a Will Dissly signing so that TE can wait until day 3. The first 3 picks are going to be important for WR, edge, S, and possibly OL or LB.

We've stayed pretty much the same although made an improvement in run blocking if AVT stays healthy.

 

[mayoclinic]

Diggs -> Doubs
Hawkins -> Byard
Chaisson -> Jones

AVT and Reggie Gilliam are big improvements (AVT health provided).

 

[stelfans]

AVT is essentially replacing Bradbury.
It’s the one glaring improvement but even then it’s pending AVT staying healthy which is in itself a big if.

 

[stelfans]

They will need another near perfect draft to field a better team. It’s gonna be a big offseason for this rebuild.

 

[Rdforty2]

Diggs -> Doubs
Hawkins -> Byard
Chaisson -> Jones

AVT and Reggie Gilliam are big improvements (AVT health provided).

For sure. I like AVT and Gilliam. But thats why I didnt mention LG as a need. I specifically brought up WR, S, and edge because we made additions, and its still a need.

 

[manxman2601]

They will need another near perfect draft to field a better team. It’s gonna be a big offseason for this rebuild.

They really are betting big on nailing the draft. Oh and 2nd year improvements.

 

[stelfans]

They really are betting big on nailing the draft. Oh and 2nd year improvements.

I guess that’s what rebuilding teams do right? But they were so close last year that the bar is really high now.

 

[scott99]

I think after seeing the signings in free agency by the Pats, I think they will concentrate on Edge, WR, OLine or TE with pick #31. If they don’t trade #31 for Brown, I think the pick will come out of one of the 4 positions I listed.

Edge- if they go edge at #31, I think it’s obvious what they want, a premium pass rusher who’s also solid vs the run

WR- I think if they go WR with #31, it’ll be a big, FAST, explosive receiver. You can get one at #31.

Oline- it’ll be interesting to see if that’s who they target at #31.

TE- By the time you get to #31, an explosive pass catching TE might be there and may even be better than any WR left at #31. If a guy like Eli Stowers is there at #31, I would see them being all over him.

I’m fine with them taking their top guy at #31, I’m just guessing that one of those 4 positions will be the pick.

 

[mayoclinic]

Jamari Johnson in 2027, please.

 

[manxman2601]

Listing the needs as I see them.

Immediate Needs

1. EDGE

One at minimum, two if you are concerned about Swinson starting the season on the 53. We don't have a proper sack merchant.

2. Safety

Byard was an very good signing but the future is far from certain.

3. Swing OT/Starting RT of the future

It would be nice if the two are the same person however, the swing OT is a pressing need, the future RT can be pushed into next year if necessary.

4. Linebacker

We lost two and added...KJ Britt. Additionally our starting MIKE is 32. We could easily add two linebackers in the draft.

5. Tight End

I'm bullish about the Hill signing but the position is uncertain for this year but even more so for next.

6. Wide Receiver

We can get by with the WR room as it is but there is plenty of uncertainty here, particularly surrounding AJ Brown. Excluding practice squadders, we only have 3 WRs on the books for 2027.

7. CB depth

This is worryingly bleak right now. A serious injury to Davies, Jones or Gonzo and we really don't have much to replace them.

8. Kick Returner

Ever since they stopped using Henderson we really haven't had an answer.

I liked FA but there are still a lot of holes

 

[mayoclinic]

RB depth and RG less immediate needs, but still there as well.

 

[mgteich]

Obviously, a lot depends on whether we sign anyone else in free agency. Personally, I see us signing at least 2 front seven players before the draft. I could also see us signing a backup LT.

If there are no other signings, I would say
EDGE
RT/swing OT
safety
DE
EDGE
RG


===========
DL/DE: Williams, Barmore. Durden
Farmer, Gregory, Taylor

 

[dliverey44]

So here comes draft need vs BPA, I honestly feel like Rodriguez might be BPA at 31 and I feel that off Ball LB is a need(not a top need though).

 

[bakes781]

So here comes draft need vs BPA, I honestly feel like Rodriguez might be BPA at 31 and I feel that off Ball LB is a need(not a top need though).

Any position except obviously QB. I would say no RB until day 3. Safety can wait. Other than that it's BPA

 

[mayoclinic]

Any position except obviously QB. I would say no RB until day 3. Safety can wait. Other than that it's BPA

Question:

What if Mike Washington was BPA on your board at 63 or 95? Would adding a potential Jonathan Taylor-like big RB with 4.3 speed to complement TreVeyon Henderson be a worthwhile use of day 2 draft resources?

IDK the answer, but it's an intriguing thought to me, especially with the investment at LG and FB in FA.