It is always my favorite time of the year, because there are so many variables, it literally defies description. Every team is trying maneuver around the salary cap, free agency, and their draft status. After struggling for several years in the draft, the Patriots did a fantastic job last year, kudos to Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf. Here’s to hoping they have another similar spring in 2026.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s Go.<\/span><\/p>\n Zak Kuhr: <\/b>The Patriots announced that Kuhr was given the title of Defensive Coordinator, a position he held without the title throughout the 2025 season, while Terrell Williams was battling cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With the news that Williams will not return to the DC position and will ascend to a senior coaching role, it was considered a lock that Kuhr would be named as the coordinator, despite some big names being available.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But head coach Mike Vrabel stuck with Kuhr, who had the Patriots playing some outstanding defense in 2025.\u00a0 “Zak has been fantastic,” Vrabel said at the Super Bowl. “I think that, much like players when given opportunities, coaches sometimes have the same thing. When they get more opportunity, they take advantage of it and then turn that into something else.”<\/span><\/p>\n In a corresponding move, Vinny DePalma was promoted from coaching assistant to Kuhr\u2019s former position, as the inside linebackers coach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mack Hollins: <\/b>The Patriots did Hollins a solid by agreeing to pay him a $400,000 bonus that Hollins would have earned that if he had caught 50 passes. He caught 46 but then missed the final two regular-season games of the year and the first two playoff games due to a lacerated spleen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But the Patriots decided to pay him that bonus. He had already collected a $500,000 bonus by catching 40 passes on the season. He\u2019s under contract for the 2026 season and was a key contributor both as a blocker and a receiver in 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n Kendrick Bourne: <\/b>The former Patriots wide receiver, Bourne, recently offered a candid look at the differences he felt between Jerod Mayo\u2019s only season and Mike Vrabel\u2019s immediate impact.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI knew where the team was going after experiencing OTAs with Vrabes, experiencing camp with Vrabes\u2026 You could tell,\u201d Bourne said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFrom going from [Jerod] Mayo and what we did in camp, no knock to Mayo, he just wasn\u2019t ready, and then going to Vrabes, it was like, bro, you could just tell the structure was just different. How we studied, how we met, and different things. That is what ultimately made me bummed about it\u2026 I knew where these guys were going\u2026 I was absolutely sad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Brandon Crossley: <\/b>The Patriots announced that they have signed Crossley to a futures contract.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Crossley, 25, had a few stints with the team. He was signed by New England as a UDFA on May 9, 2025, out of Southern Methodist (SMU). The 5-foot-11, 186-pounder was released on August 26 on cut-down day and signed to the practice squad on Aug. 27.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He was released the next day but was re-signed to the practice squad on November 26. He spent the rest of the regular season on the team’s practice squad before being released on January 6.<\/span><\/p>\n Tyreek Hill: <\/b>Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III believes the New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a> should be one of the teams interested in signing former Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “The New England Patriots need to sign Tyreek Hill,” Griffin<\/span> posted on X.<\/span><\/a> “Drake Maye was the best deep ball thrower in football this year. If Tyreek Hill gets back to 90 percent of what he was, the Patriots get a massive mismatch chess piece on their board.”<\/span><\/p>\n Griffin is making a big assumption that Hill will even be ready to play in 2026, after a particularly gruesome knee injury last year. And Hill being at 90 percent may be a stretch, given the injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Plus, the fact that Hill is the antithesis of the guys that Vrabel is trying to populate the team with. That is a hard pass on that.<\/span><\/p>\n Patriots No Huddle Podcast:<\/b> Mike, Derek, and I recorded our NFL Scouting Combine preview podcast on Saturday afternoon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Please check it out. And be sure to like, share, and leave us a review.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Russ Francis\/Chuck Fairbanks:<\/b> The former Patriot tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn\u2019t is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders\u2019 Dave Casper changed how teams used the tight end position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This will be displayed in our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis\u2019 numbers stand up well against Casper\u2019s, yet he isn\u2019t even in the team\u2019s HOF.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Patriots will have their brain trust at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week, and we\u2019ll all be interested to see who they meet with this week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, that isn\u2019t always a guarantee that they are going after that player. Sometimes, they interview a player or players they know they won\u2019t be able to draft because of the team\u2019s draft position.<\/span><\/p>\n But it gives them insight into what makes that player tick, what motivates him, and that information is filed away because down the road, the opportunity may come to bring those players to your team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The three biggest needs heading into 2026 are edge rusher, bolstering the offensive line, and getting a stud wide receiver who will team up with Drake Maye on the outside and open up the rest of the field.<\/p>\n The more that I look at their situation, draft position, and cap situation, in a perfect world, they would sign a veteran left guard, draft a right tackle of the future, sign a WR (Alec Pierce, please), sign (or re-sign) an edge rusher, and draft one of the panoply of edge rushers in the draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is entirely possible that as many as seven edge rushers go in the first round.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So, let\u2019s look at Edge Rusher first; here are some of the top names to keep an eye on. The Patriots need to add “young blood” to their pass rush. Especially if K\u2019Lavon Chaisson moves on in FA. Keep an eye on Harold Landry as well. His knee injury may be one of those chronic issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Keep in mind that these players are among the top at their positions. None of these players may make it to #31. And we\u2019re not looking at middle- or late-round players just yet. Today, we\u2019re focusing on Rounds 1-2.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cashius Howell, Edge (Texas A&M):<\/b> A bendy, quick edge rusher who recorded 12 sacks and 41 pressures in 2025. Howell is arguably the most advanced pass rusher in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft. He has the explosion and the first step to threaten the edge on every down.<\/span><\/p>\n R Mason Thomas, Edge (Oklahoma): <\/b>A high-motor, explosive edge rusher considered a “Mike Vrabel kind of guy”. He has a non-stop motor and an explosive first step. A bit undersized but doesn\u2019t play like it.<\/span><\/p>\n Zion Young, Edge (Missouri): <\/b>A big, 6\u20195, 262 rugged edge defender with proven three-down capability. He\u2019s an outstanding edge setter, who earned a 96 percent run defense grade from PFF.<\/span><\/p>\n T.J. Parker, Edge (Clemson):<\/b> Parker is a top-rated 2026 NFL Draft edge rusher prospect from Clemson, frequently projected as a first-to-second-round pick due to his high-power, 6-3, 260-pound frame.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite a 2025 production dip (5 sacks) following a stellar 2024 (11 sacks), he is valued for his technical proficiency, long arms, and run-stopping ability.<\/span><\/p>\n Akheem Mesidor, Edge (Miami): <\/b>A technical rusher with a developed repertoire, seen as a “win-now” pick. He\u2019s an older prospect at 26. He\u2019s big at 6\u20193, 280, with an explosive first step and surprisingly nimble for a man his size.<\/span><\/p>\n Offensive Linemen that would be great fits for the Patriots.<\/span><\/p>\n Monroe Freeling, OT (Georgia):<\/b> A highly athletic, long-limbed tackle expected to be in play for the Patriots. At 6\u20197, 315, he needs to fill out his frame at the NFL level. He\u2019s probably not a Day 1 starter at right tackle, but he has excellent potential.<\/span><\/p>\n Kadyn Proctor, OT (Alabama):<\/b> A massive tackle prospect, 6\u20197, 366, who could provide instant help on the right side or potential flexibility. For a man as huge as he is, he carries his weight well and moves surprisingly quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He vertical jumped 32 inches and broad jumped 9\u20193 at 366\u2026nuff said.<\/span><\/p>\n Caleb Lomu, OT (Utah):<\/b> A reliable pass protector (no sacks allowed in 2025) who can play tackle or potentially shift inside to guard. Lomu has been frequently mocked to New England. At 6\u20196, 304, he\u2019s quick, but needs to add some mass.<\/span><\/p>\n Max Iheanacor, RT, (Arizona): <\/b>He has amazingly quick footwork for a man 6\u20196, 325. His stock is shooting up draft boards. However, although he\u2019s an outstanding pass protector, his run blocking needs some refinement.<\/span><\/p>\n Gennings Dunker, OG (Iowa): <\/b>A “mauler” type with excellent size, considered a natural fit for a power-running scheme.<\/span><\/p>\n Chase Bisontis, G (Texas A&M): <\/b>A powerful interior lineman known for his strength in the run game. He\u2019s known as a punishing, physical right tackle. Measuring around 6’5″ and 315 lbs, he is viewed as a potential Day 2 pick (rounds 2-3) who excels in run blocking but may move inside to guard at the NFL level due to average arm length.<\/span><\/p>\n Blake Miller, OT (Clemson): <\/b>A consistent right tackle with good balance at 6\u20196, 315. A team-first guy with outstanding lateral quickness. Hand usage needs work. But an excellent RT prospect<\/span><\/p>\n Olaivavega Ioane, G, (Penn State):<\/b> Ranked as a top interior lineman in the 2026 class, Ioane is a “pass-protection-first” guard who fits the Patriots’ needs for a plug-and-play starter. He is known for having a stout base, elite power, and the ability to anchor in pass protection<\/span><\/p>\n Wide Receivers and Tight End prospects to watch for.<\/span><\/p>\n KC Concepcion, WR (Texas A&M):<\/b> A shifty, explosive route-runner with high yards-after-catch potential. He\u2019s a natural separator at the line of scrimmage with excellent burst at the snap. Not the biggest guy at 5\u201911, 190.<\/span><\/p>\n Kenyon Sadiq, TE (Oregon): <\/b>A “freak” athlete who is considered the top tight end in the class and a potential high-impact playmaker. He\u2019s 6\u20193, 245 with the athleticism and separation ability to threaten all three levels of the field.<\/span><\/p>\n Denzel Boston, WR (Washington): <\/b>A 6\u20194, 209, big-bodied receiver with low drop percentages. He plays much faster than his timed speed. He\u2019s a red-zone nightmare for defenses.<\/span><\/p>\n Makai Lemon, WR (USC):<\/b> A Biletnikoff Award-winning receiver who is a complete playmaker. Average size at 5\u201911, 195, but has outstanding ball skills. He\u2019s a plug-and-play slot receiver who\u2019s quicker than fast with excellent separation skills.<\/span><\/p>\n Max Klare, TE, (Ohio State): <\/b>Ranked as a top-three tight end by many, Klare (6-5, 243 lbs) is considered a strong receiver with potential to be a key playmaker, though he has some limitations in run blocking.<\/span><\/p>\n Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt:<\/b> He\u2019s a 6\u20194, 235 absolute vertical threat with outstanding hands and the ability to high-point the ball with the best receivers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He\u2019s a former QB who approaches the game from that standpoint and has a great feel for coverages. However, he\u2019s not a great blocker, and his frame will probably never allow him to reach his full potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n _______________<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>Somebody asked me what success looks like, and I said, \u2018Yeah, you can judge it by wins and losses during the season, but success for me in the offseason is going to be that the players believe in what we\u2019re doing, and they believe in the message, they believe in the teaching, and they believe in the connections that we\u2019re making<\/span><\/i>.\u2019\u201d \u2014 Mike Vrabel<\/span><\/p>\n Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Patriots news 02-22: Coaching changes, free agency updates, and a comprehensive NFL Combine preview. Top prospects for edge, OL, and WR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":63133,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[24318,23494,11,10],"tags":[24288,23466,24331,802,22508,23701,664,24315,1967,24332,8,23029,24333,1538,24107,23664],"class_list":["post-65759","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2026-patriots-offseason","category-new-england-patriots","category-patriots-commentary","category-patriots-news","tag-coaching-staff","tag-drake-maye","tag-edge-rushers","tag-free-agency","tag-kendrick-bourne","tag-mack-hollins","tag-mike-vrabel","tag-nfl-combine","tag-nfl-draft","tag-offensive-linemen","tag-patriots","tag-russ-francis","tag-tight-ends","tag-tyreek-hill","tag-wide-receivers","tag-zak-kuhr"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28145520_168390408_lowres-450x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nQuick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"2023](\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/USATSI_20156485_168390408_lowres-450x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhich Players To Look Forward To Watching At the Combine?<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Monroe](\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/USATSI_24738421_168390408_lowres-660x440.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/i><\/a>Listen to our<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 <\/span>PatsFans.com<\/span><\/a> Patriots No Huddle <\/span><\/i><\/a>podcasts on Apple and YouTube as Derek Havens, Mike D\u2019Abate, and I discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n