Patriots 2026-27 Off Season

[Goldstar88]

Non-rhetorical question:  how much better is Brown than Diggs when both are focused? 

Statistically, they were very similar last year, but that doesn't mean a lot.  And, Brown has the clear edge going forward due to age.  But, I'm curious for this year only how much the Pats will be improved versus if they'd kept Diggs and used the #1 to upgrade elsewhere.

If he plays every game, I expect Brown to have 1300+ yards and 7+ TDs with Maye. So quite a bit better. I don?t think Hurts is very good.

[Redz]

Non-rhetorical question:  how much better is Brown than Diggs when both are focused? 

Statistically, they were very similar last year, but that doesn't mean a lot.  And, Brown has the clear edge going forward due to age.  But, I'm curious for this year only how much the Pats will be improved versus if they'd kept Diggs and used the #1 to upgrade elsewhere.

I think Brown at this point is much more of a "go and get it" guy than Diggs.  Diggs did some really tight window stuff last year on shorter routes and was amazing at it.  I actually think they'd complement each other really well if they can figure out a way to get Diggs back at a bargain.

[Vermont Green]

Non-rhetorical question:  how much better is Brown than Diggs when both are focused? 

Statistically, they were very similar last year, but that doesn't mean a lot.  And, Brown has the clear edge going forward due to age.  But, I'm curious for this year only how much the Pats will be improved versus if they'd kept Diggs and used the #1 to upgrade elsewhere.

Diggs + Future first or Brown?  Fair question.  There is risk with both players.  The Pats have a legit chance to win a Superbowl I believe.  Not the best change but a chance.  Brown at his best gives the Pats a better chance than Diggs at his best + a first round pick in 2028.  I see that as the thinking.  Now, neither player may achieve their best, that is the risk.  There is durability risk and Diva turns mal-content risk with both players.  But Brown is more likely to give you the kind of season that carries a team to the Superbowl.

This feels like a good point in time to take this risk.  You have the QB.  The OL with Vera-Tucker and Lomu added should be improved (some risk there too).  The defense I feel will be very good.  Why not take a swing at this?  To me, the OL is a key factor in this.  If OL is not stabilized, then you are not going to get the most out of Brown.  It does not matter how good the QB and WR are if the QB is running for his life.  The OL just needs to be good enough.  Consistent across all 5-7 guys.  I think the OL can be, we'll see how they hold up.

[Vermont Green]

Our Lads maintains a very good depth chart for NFL teams:

https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/NE

Yesterday when I checked, they had he starters as Brown, Dobbs, and Boutte.  Today they have Brown, Dobbs, and Hollins as the starters.  I could see it either way and no matter who starts, there will be 5 maybe 6 from this group that see meaningful snaps.

Who do people see as the starters now?  I am wondering if they could trade Boutte or Hollins.  Depth is always good but I wonder what they could get in a trade for one of these guys.

[Phantom255x]

With Julian Hill unfortunately suffering a season-ending injury, I wonder if the Pats call the Raiders or Bears regarding any of their backup TEs (Mayer or Kmet). Or someone along those lines.

[SparzWizard]

Ooooof Vrabes ripped AJ Brown a new one after today's camp. High expectations, I like it. Can't be dropping passes!

[Roy H.]

Ooooof Vrabes ripped AJ Brown a new one after today's camp. High expectations, I like it. Can't be dropping passes!

Let's see how he responds.  He didn't like coaching criticism in Philly.

[BitterJim]

Ooooof Vrabes ripped AJ Brown a new one after today's camp. High expectations, I like it. Can't be dropping passes!

Let's see how he responds.  He didn't like coaching criticism in Philly.

I'm sure Vrabel knows how much Brown can handle after their time together in Tennessee, hopefully he kept that in mind here

I'm not too worried, though, Vrabel is very much a players coach so I don't really worry about him losing the locker room

[Vermont Green]

Pats had preseason game (yawn).  Not much to learn from it.  Kyle Williams looked like an NLF player, still learning but stood out to me.  Didn't see much else that I think will matter.  Lomu did not look that great to me.

To me, it is all going to come down the the OL.  To start the year, it looks much improved to me over last season.  But if the line does not hold up, it won't matter who our receivers are.  Maye was sacked 47 times last season (17 games) and still managed to have the best quarterback stat for QBR and RTG (per ESPN stats).  Darnold was only sacked 27 times in 17 games.  Especially in the playoffs, Maye was running for his life due to poor OL play.

Campbell
Vera-Tucker
Wilson
Onwenu
Moses

That should be a solid OL to support both the passing game and the running game.  And we have some decent depth.  The OL seemed better at the start of the season.  The schedule may have been easier and they were healthier.  But overall, I would say the OL was near the bottom last season.  If they can be just average this season, that will be a huge difference.