{"id":65879,"date":"2026-03-01T05:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T10:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=65879"},"modified":"2026-03-04T13:59:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T18:59:35","slug":"patriots-news-03-01-the-patriots-are-looking-for-edge-rushers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/03\/01\/patriots-news-03-01-the-patriots-are-looking-for-edge-rushers\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots News 03-01, The Patriots Are Looking For Edge Rushers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, and a happy Sunday to all. Here is your Patriots news for 03-01, along with NFL notes this week. The NFL 2026 season is nearly here already, with the start of free agency and the new league year set to begin on March 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

The NFL has set the salary cap at a record $301.2 million per team for 2026. This is a healthy increase from the cap of $279.2 million in 2025. According to our friend Miguel Benzan, who we all know as the team\u2019s salary cap guru <\/span>@Patscap<\/span><\/a>, the Patriots have $41.29 million in cap space with 63 players signed, including 14 free agents, with K\u2019Lavon Chaisson, Khyiris Tonga, and Jaylinn Hawkins as the most prominent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diggs Contract Situation:<\/b><\/p>\n

Stefon Diggs\u2019 contract is a looming decision point for the team. Diggs is due a $6 million roster bonus on March 13, which is part of his $26.5 million cap hit in 2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They have three options: pay him and, at 33, bank on his production being even better a year removed from his ACL injury, re-work his contract to knock down his cap hit, or cut him in hopes of securing other WR help in FA and the draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If they cut Diggs, they\u2019d be banking on signing Alec Pierce, or possibly Mike Evans in free agency (Wan\u2019Dale Robinson?), none of which is a sure thing. The trade rumors about A.J. Brown continue, and some have said that the Patriots would be open about having Brown and Diggs on the team in 2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That seems overly optimistic at best. The Eagles are not going to give Brown away cheaply, especially if New England decides to cut ties with Diggs. The Eagles aren\u2019t under a deadline to trade him, so they can play this out, all the way to the NFL Draft or beyond, if they choose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And if the Patriots come calling with no Diggs, Pierce, or Evans\u2026then Philly\u2019s asking price will come much higher than the Patriots want to pay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Combine Standouts:<\/b><\/p>\n

We are all expecting the Patriots to add a receiving threat at tight end, with Isaiah Likely being the free agent most believe would be their target, but in the draft, there are a couple of intriguing options as blockers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But first, forget about Kenyon Sadiq\u2026he\u2019s going Top 10. One guy who the team could target is <\/span>Eli Stowers<\/span><\/a>, an athletic freak in his own right, from Vanderbilt. He\u2019s a great receiving threat, but a liability as a run blocker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Two tight ends that are blockers we all should keep an eye on are Will Kacmarek from Ohio State and <\/span>Sam Roush from Stanford,<\/span><\/a> a big (6\u20196, 267) blocker who may have better receiving skills than anticipated, due to Stanford\u2019s run-first offense, although concentration drops have been an issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of the safeties at the combine, <\/span>Jalon Kilgore from South Carolina,<\/span><\/a> (gotta love having a Gamecock on the roster) is one name to watch on Day 2. He\u2019s a big, 6\u20191, 211 pound box safety, who is at his best covering tight ends. He ran a 4.40 at the Combine. The Patriots generally like the versatile guys who can play either in the box or deep safety, but he\u2019d be a nice man coverage thumper against tight ends or big slot receivers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Kyle Williams: <\/b>The Patriots are expecting much bigger things from WR Kyle Williams in Year 2 of his NFL career.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnce they get out there in the training camp, they realize that this isn\u2019t combine training and coverages change and things that look like man coverage now become zone coverage and things that are zone coverage now become match coverage, and you know, there\u2019s just a lot of volume for that particular position,\u201d head coach Mike Vrabel said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so I\u2019m excited to see where guys like Kyle Williams go from year one to year two, and just his development and his growth mentally and physically.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Williams played less than a third of the offensive snaps and had just 10 catches in his rookie season. However, he averaged 20.9 yards per catch with three long touchdowns of 72, 37, and 33 yards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Being a rookie and playing in Josh McDaniels\u2019 offense is not an easy proposition. There were plenty of times that he zigged when he should have zagged; it has been a common occurrence with younger players.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Year 2 will be a big one for Williams, as he looks to develop into an integral part of the offense. He had some big-time flashes in 2025; now he needs to do it consistently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just know I\u2019m excited about seeing where he goes from Year 1 to Year 2,\u201d Vrabel said. \u201cMade some fantastic plays. Ability to adjust down the field on the deep ball. Has got really good release skills. We saw what the crossing route was against Tampa Bay and the ability to create an X-play that was maybe a 10- or 12-yard pass.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to sit there and say \u2018these guys are going to be a No. 1 receiver or edge rusher.\u2019 We\u2019re just excited that he\u2019s with us and what he showed us. His attitude was fantastic. We\u2019ll have to help him to reach his potential.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Antonio Gibson: <\/b>The Patriots announced that they released the running back who spent two years with the team. Gibson, originally signed to a three-year, $11.25 million free-agent deal in 2024, was released after two years and 22 total games with the organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t a big surprise. Gibson became a KR and rotational piece after the team drafted TreVeyon Henderson in the second round last year.\u00a0 He tore an ACL against the Bills in Week 5 in 2025 and is still rehabbing from that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While Gibson was a third option at running back, the Patriots never found a satisfactory kickoff returner after he was lost. He averaged 28.5 yards per return and had a 90-yard touchdown return against the Dolphins in Week 2.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gibson had a $4.14 million cap hit for 2026, including a $1 million signing bonus that was fully guaranteed. By releasing him now, the Patriots created $2.14 million in net savings. His signing bonus will be added to the dead cap space for 2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And the Patriots now need a new kickoff returner. Whether that player is already on the roster or is added at some point, this spring\/summer is TBD.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben McAdoo: <\/b>The Patriots lost another member of the coaching staff as it was announced that McAdoo was leaving the team after two seasons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

McAdoo was a former head coach of the NY Giants, and joined Jerod Mayo\u2019s staff in 2024 as a senior assistant on the offensive side of the ball. He was retained under Mike Vrabel\u2019s staff in 2025 as a senior defensive assistant.<\/span><\/p>\n

McAdoo is the third departure from Vrabel\u2019s staff this offseason. Previously, assistant offensive line coach Robert Kugler left to become the Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 tight ends coach and defensive assistant Milton Patterson left the team as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots No Huddle Podcast:<\/b> Mike, Derek, and I lost our podcast hosting platform this week, but we should be back as early as tomorrow with a new platform and a post-NFL Combine podcast. You can always check out our podcasts on our YouTube channel.<\/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

\n

\"Mike<\/p>\n

(PHOTO: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Patriots Are Hunting For Edge Rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Patriots made it clear that they\u2019ll be searching for edge rushers in the NFL Draft this coming April. Eliot Wolf said it was a need, and HC Mike Vrabel reiterated it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“It’s a fairly deep class at that position that’s obviously an area of need for our team, so it matches up nicely,” Wolf said.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Pass rush, speed and violence, explosiveness, first-step quickness, and the ability to win in multiple ways,\u201d Wolf added. \u201cYou can’t just be a run-around-the-hoop guy at this level. There are some guys in college who are able to be successful that way, but you need different things in your toolbox.”<\/span><\/p>\n

A year ago, the Patriots totally revamped the position. They added Harold Landry and K\u2019Lavon Chaisson in free agency. Then they drafted Bradyn Swinson in the fifth round, and added UDFA Isaiah Ponder after the draft. They joined veteran Anfernee Jennings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, Chaisson is a free agent, and Landry is dealing with a knee injury that has persisted since Week 6. The Patriots will probably meet with a load of edge prospects, but Cashius Howell and Zion Young confirmed they met with the Patriots.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the edge rushers to keep an eye on\u2026<\/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

He ran a 4.59 in the 40, which was in the 88th percentile. The downside, he has short arms (oh Sweet Jesus, here we go again).<\/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. He didn\u2019t run well at Indy (4.67), which was surprising.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zion Young, Edge (Missouri): <\/b>A big, 6\u20195, 262-pound 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF:<\/b> Lawrence was a guy who caught a lot of people\u2019s eyes in Indy. Lawrence has that prototypical size you want in an edge rusher (6\u20194, 253 pounds, with 35\u201d arms), but what really stood out was his athleticism for a guy with his build.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He had the second-highest relative athletic score, 9.90 out of 10, for the edge players who tested in Indy. This included an outstanding 4.52 time in the 40. He has a lightning-fast first step and is an outstanding pass rusher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He needs some work against the run, and in his tackling, but this is a player to keep an eye on. He\u2019ll probably be a designated sub-package pass rusher at first. He was considered a <\/span>Day 3 pick<\/span><\/a>, but that will probably change to a Day 2 pick now.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots Ranked 26th In The NFLPA Report Card; It Doesn\u2019t Matter:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The NFLPA conducts an annual survey of all 1,700+ players on conditions across the league.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The survey seeks players’ opinions on 17 elements of their working conditions, including the quality of facilities and cafeterias, travel arrangements, training staff, arrangements for family members on game days, and more.<\/p>\n

The grades are in once again, and they were ugly for the Patriots in 2026. As the Patriots finished 26th. Let\u2019s look at the grades for New England.<\/span><\/p>\n

New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a> \u2014<\/b><\/p>\n

Treatment of families: B (12th)<\/b><\/p>\n

Home field: D (22nd)<\/b><\/p>\n

Travel: F (30th)<\/b><\/p>\n

Food\/dining: D+ (29th)<\/b><\/p>\n

Nutritionist\/dietician: B (26th)<\/b><\/p>\n

Locker room: C- (21st)<\/b><\/p>\n

Training room: C- (28th)<\/b><\/p>\n

Training staff: B (24th)<\/b><\/p>\n

Weight room: C- (31st)<\/b><\/p>\n

Strength coaches: A- (24th)<\/b><\/p>\n

Position coaches: B- (28th)<\/b><\/p>\n

Offensive coordinator: A (3rd)<\/b><\/p>\n

Defensive coordinator: B+ (23rd)<\/b><\/p>\n

Special teams coordinator: B+ (24th)<\/b><\/p>\n

Head coach: A (8th)<\/b><\/p>\n

General manager: B+ (22nd)<\/b><\/p>\n

Ownership: B- (24th)<\/b><\/p>\n

Some of these are concerning, especially the travel. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald had a quote from one player describing the plane as feeling \u2018borderline unsafe.\u2019 Yikes. The food also received very low marks. And that is an area that should be fixed asap.<\/span><\/p>\n

But despite its 26th ranking, the team made strides this year, especially in the coaching staff.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But here\u2019s why much of this doesn\u2019t matter. The Patriots are moving into a new facility for the players this spring. That should rectify the scores for the training room, weight room, and dining facility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year, the Patriots posted <\/span>on their website <\/span><\/a>that \u201cThe new training facility will feature a range of high-performance amenities, including an expanded weight room with direct access to three outdoor practice fields, a hydrotherapy center with plunge pools and an underwater treadmill, a player lounge, and an open-space locker room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The building will also house cutting-edge football administration offices, meeting rooms with virtual reality integration, a nutrition center, and a ground-level media workspace with direct access to both practice areas and the locker room.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So, while those survey grades are still far too low, most of them will be fixed this spring by the time the on-field workouts begin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One has to wonder, in terms of the playing field, which the players dislike and graded very poorly, if the Patriots will opt to keep the natural grass fields that they are installing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer matches this year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FIFA rules require that all World Cup matches be played on natural grass. And Gillette Stadium is slated to host seven games this year. Grounds crews began removing the artificial turf this month. The team has played on turf since 2006.<\/span><\/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>
\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

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Patriots are hunting for edge rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft. 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