{"id":66224,"date":"2026-03-22T05:00:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T09:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=66224"},"modified":"2026-03-21T14:58:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T18:58:55","slug":"patriots-news-03-22-where-do-the-patriots-go-at-31","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/03\/22\/patriots-news-03-22-where-do-the-patriots-go-at-31\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots News 03-22, Where Do The Patriots Go At #31?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good morning, and a happy Sunday to all. Here is your Patriots news for 03-22, along with NFL notes this week. The NFL&#8217;s early free agency period is over, and now there will be mostly minor depth moves as teams all prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But before we get to the 2026 offseason news, RIP to Chuck Norris, actor and martial artist. Hard to believe Norris was 86, but still very active.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Big Miami Trade Has Snowball Effect On The AFC East<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the big news this week was that Miami traded WR Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos. Miami gets Denver\u2019s first-round pick, #30, a third-round pick, #94, and the Broncos\u2019 fourth-round pick, #130. Denver gets Waddle and Miami\u2019s original 4th rounder, #111.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the long term, Miami will benefit if it hits on these draft picks. And for a team with a mammoth Dead Cap hit of $175 million, those draft picks will help them put together a team that can rebuild. And it is in total rebuild mode right now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But Miami\u2019s WR room is now an enormous question mark. Tutu Atwell is possibly the de facto #1 receiver; he had 192 yards last year for the Rams. Of all of their wide receivers, Malik Washington had the most production in 2025 with 317 yards, averaging just 6.9 yards per reception.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The wide receiver room currently consists of Atwell, Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Terrace Marshall Jr., Tahj Washington, Theo Wease Jr., and AJ Henning. New QB Malik Willis has only six career starts, and although he put up some nice numbers in Green Bay, it was in a pretty limited window, and he did it with a much better supporting cast.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0This trade, at least initially, makes Miami much, much weaker. And with the Jets in another rebuild, the 2026 division race is essentially a two-horse race between the Patriots and Buffalo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Denver\u2019s Offense Should Be Much Improved\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This trade is a big plus for Denver. The Broncos didn\u2019t make any splash signings in free agency, opting to re-sign all of their own free agents. Adding Waddle will really help their WR room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Denver adds Waddle to a room with Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr., Lil&#8217;Jordan Humphrey, and Michael Bandy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Denver\u2019s defense was one of the best in the league in 2025, and now its offense should be much improved. They\u2019ll be a tough team to face. The Patriots will replay them at some point in 2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Broncos&#8217; offense was 29th in the league in terms of three and outs in 2025. Waddle should help that right off the bat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Forged In Foxborough Episode 4: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Patriots released the next segment in their \u201cForged in Foxborough\u201d series on March 17. It was fantastic. Fred Kirsch and the Patriots staff did such a fantastic job on this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obviously, the episode centered on the head coach, and Mike Vrabel is one fantastic coach. We didn\u2019t need a video to know that. But if I am a free agent in the coming years and I watch that, I would want to play for him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A couple of great moments (sorry if I\u2019m giving away teasers here) were the hockey fight sequence, the halftime of the Houston playoff game and the scene with Vrabel and Cory Durden\u2026\u201dYou changed my life.\u201d That was video gold.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Kindle Vildor: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Patriots announced that they signed veteran cornerback Kindle Vildor to a one-year contract, on March 19, 2026. Vildor joins the team to provide secondary depth and special teams value following the departure of Alex Austin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vildor&#8217;s agreement is a one-year deal, negotiated by his agents Kevin Conner and Robert Brown. The signing marks a reunion with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, whom Vildor played for during a brief stint with the Tennessee Titans in 2023. He also had some interaction with Terrell Williams while he was with the Detroit Lions, and Vildor played with Carlton Davis Jr..<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vildor is expected to compete for a depth role behind projected starters Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, and Marcus Jones. He will likely battle for the third perimeter option spot alongside players like Charles Woods and Kobee Minor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Christian Wilkins: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The former Dolphin and Raiders\u2019 tackle is making a comeback from a foot injury that kept him out of football in 2025, after a bizarre release by Las Vegas last year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Free-agent DT Christian Wilkins fully intends to play this season, but still is rehabbing his foot injury, per his agent David Mulugheta,&#8221; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AdamSchefter\/status\/2035075513715155049\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adam Schefter <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of ESPN posted on \u201cX\u201d. &#8220;So far 26 teams have reached out and are waiting for Wilkins to be ready, and Wilkins is expected to have a new home as soon as he wants.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I would think that the chances he\u2019d want to come to New England are pretty low, but signing him to a one-year, prove-it deal with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore is an intriguing \u201cwhat if\u201d kind of scenario. Never say never.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Patriots No Huddle Podcast:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Mike, Derek, and I conducted our latest free agency podcast on our new platform right off the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/patsfans.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PatsFans.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> website. You can always check out our podcasts on our YouTube channel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please check it out. And be sure to like, share, and leave us a review.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Russ Francis\/Chuck Fairbanks:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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<p><b>Do The Patriots Need A.J. Brown, And What\u2019s Their Move At #31?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Patriots and A.J. Brown are a story that has reached its saturation point for sure. The latest pictures posted on social media show Brown working out with new Patriots\u2019 safety Kevin Byard. The two were teammates in Tennessee under Mike Vrabel, so there is a connection there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the news of the trade that sent Jaylen Waddle to Denver, the rumors are that Howie Roseman, the Eagles\u2019 GM, wants a similar trade package for Brown. As good as Brown is, Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf may not be making that deal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The post-June 1st self-imposed deadline with Philadelphia, which saves much of the $40 million Dead Cap hit, means the draft picks will be for the 2027 NFL Draft. And that one (right now) is expected to be chock-full of talent, akin to the 2011 NFL Draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brown is an elite WR and would be an incredible addition to the offense. But there are questions about the long-term viability of his knee and about the cost. And giving up multiple picks, including a first-round pick in 2027, might be giving up too much. It could very well end up being neither side agreeing to a deal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Patriots are then faced with a choice. What is your move in April when the draft starts? Even if all systems are go for a trade, there are no guarantees in the trading world, as Maxx Crosby found out on Day 1 of free agency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They can\u2019t post-date a trade to June 1st. So, there is an element of risk here. So, let\u2019s look at the Patriots&#8217; biggest needs currently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The #1 need (at least here) is still a dedicated sack specialist; someone whom the offense has to game plan around. A difference maker who is not only going to get pressure, but get home regularly, notching up sacks, not just pressures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The #2 need is an elite WR, and\/or an elite tight end. They need a right tackle of the future and a swing tackle for 2026. And they still need help at linebacker, a third-down, pass-catching running back, and safety.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Is Kyle Williams the \u201cX\u201d Factor in the \u201826 Offense?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Patriots signed Romeo Doubs and have Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Pop Douglas, and Efton Chism. But the \u201cX\u201d factor is 2nd year WR Kyle Williams. The Patriots are very high on him and hope he has a big jump in Year 2.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At tight end, the Patriots still have Hunter Henry and just signed Julian Hill, who is more of a blocking tight end. But there are several very impressive players coming out in the draft that could be a huge upgrade in the passing game by pairing Henry with one in 2026.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The options are that they can still try to swing a trade for Brown, but then, what do you do with draft pick #31? If you\u2019re going to try to make the trade, drafting a WR at #31 is not an option. That would leave them to try to nab an edge rusher, a blue-chip tight end, or a right tackle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re basically facing the same dilemma in Rounds 2 and 3. Say they address Edge, RT, and TE in the first three rounds of the draft (very real possibilities), what if the trade doesn\u2019t happen on June 1st? Or that Roseman decides to send Brown to LA?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Drafting a Dynamic Tight End Early Is An Option:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The offense would be just fine if they got a real difference maker at TE; Josh McDaniels knows how to move the ball around. They won a lot of Super Bowls without the \u201cquote\/unquote\u201d elite #1 WR. Several very good ones are available in the draft.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019d be banking on giving Doubs a larger slice of the offense than he\u2019s used to, and for Williams making the jump in Year 2. But with their other weapons in the passing game, they\u2019d be just fine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the release of Antonio Gibson, the Patriots need a third running back, a pass catcher who can spell Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. Lan Larison was an intriguing guy last summer but was hurt in training camp, placed on IR and was lost for the season. Larison is signed through 2027, so he\u2019ll be back, provided he\u2019s healthy and ready to go.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Edge Rusher At #31 Seems Likeliest Choice:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Patriots&#8217; biggest need remains an edge rusher. The team currently has Harold Landry, who was dealing with a knee injury for much of the year, and newly signed DreMont Jones, who is replacing K\u2019Lavon Chaisson. Jones is a bigger player and is expected to set the edge a bit better than Chaisson did.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depth-wise, they have Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson. Ponder showed some flash in limited reps, notching four sacks on the season. Ponder went undrafted out of Cal Poly last season, but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MathBomb\/status\/1906711831781212172?lang=en\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">his pre-draft testing <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for explosion, speed, and agility was elite.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Patriots drafted Swinson in the fifth round of the draft, but he was cut at the end of training camp and brought back on the practice squad. He was considered <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patriots.com\/news\/bradyn-swinson-brings-pass-rush-ability-to-the-patriots-defense#:~:text=First%2C%20it%20was%20an%20incredibly,didn't%20happen%20for%20him.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a steal at #146<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a situational pass rusher.\u00a0 He may have needed that extra time to acclimate to the NFL game, so we\u2019ll see how he adapts in Year 2.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But for edge rushers with the 31st pick, three names that are frequently mentioned that would fit for the Patriots, and possibly be there for them include: R Mason Thomas from Oklahoma, T.J. Parker from Clemson, and Zion Young from Mizzou. Let\u2019s take a quick look at each one.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma, Draft Profile-\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thomas is one of the best pure pass rushers in this class. His explosion off the snap is elite. His bendability off the edge is outstanding. He possesses excellent speed-to-power and has a non-stop motor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The R doesn\u2019t stand for anything; it is just his first name.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Pros:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>&#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Had good production in 10 games (3 games missed due to injury), 26 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, one pass defensed, one FF, one FR.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Has a variety of pass rush moves<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Speed and lateral agility are outstanding, relentless pursuit from the backside.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Explosive out of his stance and will always look for the strip sack<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Cons<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>&#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Size can be an issue (6\u20192, 249) with setting the edge in the pros<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Durability is a concern, with injuries to both ankles, the quad, and hamstring issues<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Hand usage needs to improve<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What his Role Will Be:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thomas will probably begin his NFL career as a situational pass rusher. He wouldn\u2019t start as a rookie, but along with Ponder and Swinson, would be brought in during obvious passing downs to get after opposing QBs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Will His Role Change from Year 1-to-2?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, he could be a three-down player by Year 2<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How Many Downs Can He Play?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Four<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What Current Player on the Roster Will He Replace?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">None<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What is his ST Value?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good, he was used across multiple special teams units, including punt return, punt coverage, and field goal block at Oklahoma<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Conclusion:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NFL Draft Buzz puts it simply. \u201cThe ceiling is tantalizing: a dynamic edge rusher who wrecks game plans on passing downs and develops enough functional strength to stay on the field for all three downs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe floor is still valuable: a high-end situational rusher who terrorizes quarterbacks in obvious passing situations and forces offenses to account for his speed every snap he is on the field.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cEither way, the team that drafts him needs to commit to a plan that features his rush ability and shields his weaknesses. In the right system with a smart rotation, Thomas can be a difference-maker from day one.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson, Draft Profile-\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parker has good, prototypical size for an edge rusher at 6\u20194, 263. His sophomore season in 2024 was off the charts, 64 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and a school-record six forced fumbles earned him second-team All-ACC recognition and national attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He saw a lot more attention in 2025 from opposing offenses, and he struggled at times, but he finished with five sacks, three in one dominant performance against South Carolina.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Pros:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>&#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Has outstanding hand usage, violent at the point of attack<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Will rip the ball out of opponent\u2019s hands, he had six FFs in 2024.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Sets the edge against the run and holds up very well<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Plays with an edge to his game<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Cons<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>&#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He needs more pass-rush moves in his toolbox<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; He has a quick first step, but doesn\u2019t have great speed to the edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Doesn\u2019t have the agility to make plays on the opposite side<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What his Role Will Be:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parker can be a rotational edge setter early in his career. He\u2019d start as a rotational guy as a rookie, part of the team\u2019s depth players.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Will His Role Change from Year 1-to-2?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, he could be a three-down player by Year 2 if he can develop additional pass-rush moves with pro coaching.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How Many Downs Can He Play?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Four<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What Current Player on the Roster Will He Replace?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anfernee Jennings, who was released.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What is his ST Value?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good, Parker has extensive special teams experience, specifically serving on punt return, field goal block, and field goal units during his collegiate career.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Conclusion: <\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parker doesn\u2019t have the high-end athleticism and upside of others as an edge player, however, his prowess as a run defender and ability to get after the quarterback in multiple ways still give him a high floor at the next level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He\u2019s best suited, at least initially, as a three-down edge defender who can defend both the run and the pass at a high level without having to come off the field.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Zion Young, Edge, Missouri, Draft Profile-\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Young is a long, muscled-up (6\u20196, 262) edge rusher who plays the game violently, which will fit in with Mike Vrabel\u2019s philosophy. In his final year at Missouri, things began to fall into place for him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He started 13 games and had 9.0 sacks and 9.5 TFL to go with an interception. His sack rate of .69 per game ranked fourth in the SEC and 19th nationally. Pro Football Focus credited him with 37 quarterback hurries and nine QB hits, and his pass-rush productivity of 10.5 ranked 13th nationally among edge players. He was a Second-Team All-SEC selection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Pros:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>&#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Plays with a mean, nasty streak<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Sets the edge, stacks, and sheds blockers with violence<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Excellent, non-stop motor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; He possesses good bend at the edge against high-level SEC tackles<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Cons<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>&#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doesn\u2019t have a great burst off the snap<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Pass rush moves need work<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Pad level is inconsistent, sometimes plays too upright<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What his Role Will Be:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Young will begin his NFL career as a run-stuffing, edge setter. As a rookie, he\u2019d be a rotational player along with the aforementioned Ponder and Swinson.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Will His Role Change from Year 1-to-2?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, he could be a three-down player by Year 2, with improved pass rush moves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How Many Downs Can He Play?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Four<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What Current Player on the Roster Will He Replace?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anfernee Jennings, who was released.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What is his ST Value?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good, he was used on field goal and extra point blocking teams<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Conclusion: <\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Young is one of the best run defenders and edge setters in the 2026 class of edge rushers. He earned an outstanding run defense grade of 96 percent from PFF in 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, his ceiling will depend on how well NFL coaches can unlock his pass rush moves and getting a little more explosive off the snap. He was able to move around a bit and play on different sides.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Young did have some off-field concerns that will have to be checked out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">_______________<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u2019\u201d \u2014 Mike Vrabel<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> <a href=\"mailto:stevebpatsfans@gmail.com\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listen to our<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/patsfans.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PatsFans.com<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/patriots-no-huddle-podcast\/id1810743829\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patriots No Huddle <\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">podcasts on Apple and YouTube as Derek Havens, Mike D\u2019Abate, and I discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Analyzing Patriots&#8217; options at pick #31 amidst A.J. 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