Patriots 2024 Season

[A Future of Stevens]

It's hard to watch the makeshift o line sell Maye down the river.

At least Gonzalez is amazing. He and Maye are the franchise at this point.

Becoming hard not to imagine Gonzalez and Hunter on the field together.

I am conflicted. I think Hunter is probably the best player in the draft. I also think it is unrealistic to expect him to play both positions full time. I think he is a better CB prospect than WR prospect, and we need a WR more than we need a CB who runs 5-10 plays on offense.

I think the best case scenario is trading down to that 5-8 area and taking a tackle or taking the WR from Arizona. Gives us more ammo to continue rebuilding.

Our three biggest needs are: 1.) tackles or talent on the oline. 2.) #1 or #2 receiver 3.) Difference maker on the edge.
I get the argument for taking the BPA that isn't a QB, but I just don't know if we should double down on CB. Especially considering Gonzalez and Hunter will be up for huge contracts within a few years of one another.

One big factor will be if Pats are in control of the Hunter selection and then what type of trade can be generated.  It could very well be that if Pats don?t get the top pick that whoever does will take Hunter or will get a big offer to trade down.  Same of course if Pats pick 3.  Lower than that they lose Hunter or the chance for a big haul in trade.

Yeah I would love if the Pats could get someone to trade up because they believe in the Hunter hype. I just don't know how much additional value is involved to trade up for an elite corner prospect. The best case scenario is getting to like 2, a team in 3 needs a QB, and we can flip 2 to 5-7 and pick up a 1st or a couple 2nds. Then we could take the best tackle (both might be guards tbh) or T Mac from Arizona. He is a stud.

[SparzWizard]

I think you still should draft the best player in the draft if you hold that position, even if there's no need for it. It's a no-brainer move right.

A secondary with Gonzalez and Hunter would be a dream come true. No fly zone.

[Phantom255x]

Sign WR Tee Higgins
Draft CB/WR Travis Hunter
Sign OT Ronnie Staley OR Cam Robinson
Draft OT with the 2nd round pick (maybe trade up into the late 1st round again)
Sign an edge rusher like Khalil Mack or Josh Sweat
Add another linebacker

Those moves can pretty much at least make NE a potential playoff team next year as Maye also continues to develop. They have well over 100M in cap space. No excuses.

[Goldstar88]

Sign WR Tee Higgins
Draft CB/WR Travis Hunter
Sign OT Ronnie Staley OR Cam Robinson
Draft OT with the 2nd round pick (maybe trade up into the late 1st round again)
Sign an edge rusher like Khalil Mack or Josh Sweat
Add another linebacker

Those moves can pretty much at least make NE a potential playoff team next year as Maye also continues to develop. They have well over 100M in cap space. No excuses.

Sounds expensive. 

[Phantom255x]

Sign WR Tee Higgins
Draft CB/WR Travis Hunter
Sign OT Ronnie Staley OR Cam Robinson
Draft OT with the 2nd round pick (maybe trade up into the late 1st round again)
Sign an edge rusher like Khalil Mack or Josh Sweat
Add another linebacker

Those moves can pretty much at least make NE a potential playoff team next year as Maye also continues to develop. They have well over 100M in cap space. No excuses.

Sounds expensive. 

[Larry for 3]

I think you still should draft the best player in the draft if you hold that position, even if there's no need for it. It's a no-brainer move right.

A secondary with Gonzalez and Hunter would be a dream come true. No fly zone.

Disagree totally. Just play it out. Say he?s good. You?re not paying 2 corners top 10 at their position that kind of money. It?s irresponsible. This team has many needs. It?s not basketball. They desperately need a left tackle. And the last time I checked, Travis Hunter is not keeping Drake Maye from getting killed. And if he goes down I don?t care how good your corners are, you ain?t winning. We already have a top corner. Need to spend resources elsewhere.

[Goldstar88]

Sign WR Tee Higgins
Draft CB/WR Travis Hunter
Sign OT Ronnie Staley OR Cam Robinson
Draft OT with the 2nd round pick (maybe trade up into the late 1st round again)
Sign an edge rusher like Khalil Mack or Josh Sweat
Add another linebacker

Those moves can pretty much at least make NE a potential playoff team next year as Maye also continues to develop. They have well over 100M in cap space. No excuses.

Sounds expensive. 

Looks like Kraft in the offseason. What is it, $50M under the cap? 

[Vermont Green]

I think you still should draft the best player in the draft if you hold that position, even if there's no need for it. It's a no-brainer move right.

A secondary with Gonzalez and Hunter would be a dream come true. No fly zone.

Disagree totally. Just play it out. Say he's good. You're not paying 2 corners top 10 at their position that kind of money. It's irresponsible. This team has many needs. It's not basketball. They desperately need a left tackle. And the last time I checked, Travis Hunter is not keeping Drake Maye from getting killed. And if he goes down I don't care how good your corners are, you ain't winning. We already have a top corner. Need to spend resources elsewhere.

I guess I don't know if Hunter's primary position is going to be WR or CB.  If he projects as primarily a CB and sometimes playing WR, I don't use the 3rd pick on him.  That is too high to take a CB.  I am hesitant to use that high of a pick on a WR also but for a guy that can run a 4.2 40, I would make an exception.

I don't like putting too many eggs in one basket at CB, or even 2 baskets.  You need 5 or 6 good players in the defensive back field (CB and S).  If 2 are great but the other 4 or 5 are below average, you will get torched.  That is true at WR also but to a lesser extent.  If you have just one really good WR and then not much else, they will just double the one good WR.  But a good WR will have more chances to make a big play than a good CB.

Normally, I am NOT for going after a diva WR but drafting one is better than overpaying for one that is a FA.

[A Future of Stevens]

I am more in the camp that Hunter as a WR prospect isn't worth a top 5 pick. He could be a good WR, but he doesn't win the way most elite WR do. He wins by being more athletic and out jumping the opposing DBs. He has excellent hands, but he is very raw at playing the receiver position. He doesn't win by running precise routes, or having great footwork to beat press. I think there are better WR prospects in the draft.

I compare him to the most recent hyper athletic receiver that went in the top 5, Chase. Chase was exceedingly excellent at playing the position of receiver. He just also happened to be explosive.

[SparzWizard]

Christian Barmore placed on non-football illness list after finding recurring symptoms that requires further evaluation.

Hope he has a quick recovery

[A Future of Stevens]

Christian Barmore placed on non-football illness list after finding recurring symptoms that requires further evaluation.

Hope he has a quick recovery

It is sad to hear. I hope he gets himself right and gets on a treatment plan for his own sake. The fan part of me wants him to be back to his dominant self, but he needs to prioritize a healthy life. I hope for all of the best for him.

[Phantom255x]

Lord please forgive Josh Allen, for what he's about to do to the Patriots tomorrow...

[Neurotic Guy]

Lord please forgive Josh Allen, for what he's about to do to the Patriots tomorrow...

Yes, expecting a trouncing. My wife?s family in upstate NY will relish this.

[SparzWizard]

I'll be surprised if this is a close game.

But I expect the spread to cover, maybe by 4 TDs

[Vermont Green]

I believe that is the Raiders win vs. Jags (they are favored) and the Pats lose (not favored), we move up (down?) to the second pick.  Could be interesting.