Patriots 2025-26 Offseason Discussion

[A Future of Stevens]

After reading about this weak draft for months, I am at a certain place with what our goal should be. Obviously with any draft, you want to hit on your pick. At 4, you ideally would want to get a true blue chip piece.

Who knows what players will turn into blue chippers post draft, but there appears to be 3 true great prospects at the top of this draft: Travis Hunter CB/ATH, Abdul Carter OLB/Edge, and Mason Graham DT. Will Campbell would be a blue chip guard prospect, but he has earned the right to get a shot at OT in the pros by being a starting LT for LSU for 3 years as a true junior. Even though he is 6'6 324, he has t rex arms. He is this years Peter Skoronski. He is technically sound, but his lack of length makes him play in a phone booth.

Our biggest need is tackle. Taking Campbell at 4, would be great if he works out at Tackle. If it becomes apparent in a year or two that he needs to slide in to guard, you need him to be a 5+ year all pro guard for it to be worth it at 4. I would love him as the pick if we move down to 6-10.

That leaves the other 3 players for pre draft blue chippers. People love Travis Hunter. I also think he is wildly talented. I worry about stacking blue chip prospects at the same positions with our team. We have Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez, and possibly Barmore as our foundational great young players. I don't believe Hunter will be an every down WR at the next level, but more of a 5-10 plays a game kind of guy. That means I would think we are drafting him as the CB to pair with Gonzo. I would want to spread out the blue chippers on our team instead of just stacking CB.

For Mason Graham, it is the same argument as Hunter. If you think Barmore is going to come back healthy, why stack all of our elite talent at DT? If you think Barmore isn't going to be the same guy, this might be the path you take.

If he is on the board, you take Carter. 6'3 250 pound OLB with ELITE burst, strength and quickness. This was his first year playing OLD/edge, and he had 24 TFL and 12 sacks as a true junior. Imagine how much better he could get under Vrabel's tutelage? His first 2 years he played MLB, and had 104 tackles, 17 TFL, 1 int, 9 passes defended and 11 sacks over said 2 years. His upside is twitchy Judon with coverage skills.

Carter gets my vote. I like investing in OLB/Edge with draft assets over stacking the same position we already have with the other 2.

Just my 2 cents. I'm sure I will flip as the combine and draft get closer.

[Vermont Green]

After reading about this weak draft for months, I am at a certain place with what our goal should be. Obviously with any draft, you want to hit on your pick. At 4, you ideally would want to get a true blue chip piece.

Who knows what players will turn into blue chippers post draft, but there appears to be 3 true great prospects at the top of this draft: Travis Hunter CB/ATH, Abdul Carter OLB/Edge, and Mason Graham DT. Will Campbell would be a blue chip guard prospect, but he has earned the right to get a shot at OT in the pros by being a starting LT for LSU for 3 years as a true junior. Even though he is 6'6 324, he has t rex arms. He is this years Peter Skoronski. He is technically sound, but his lack of length makes him play in a phone booth.

Our biggest need is tackle. Taking Campbell at 4, would be great if he works out at Tackle. If it becomes apparent in a year or two that he needs to slide in to guard, you need him to be a 5+ year all pro guard for it to be worth it at 4. I would love him as the pick if we move down to 6-10.

That leaves the other 3 players for pre draft blue chippers. People love Travis Hunter. I also think he is wildly talented. I worry about stacking blue chip prospects at the same positions with our team. We have Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez, and possibly Barmore as our foundational great young players. I don't believe Hunter will be an every down WR at the next level, but more of a 5-10 plays a game kind of guy. That means I would think we are drafting him as the CB to pair with Gonzo. I would want to spread out the blue chippers on our team instead of just stacking CB.

For Mason Graham, it is the same argument as Hunter. If you think Barmore is going to come back healthy, why stack all of our elite talent at DT? If you think Barmore isn't going to be the same guy, this might be the path you take.

If he is on the board, you take Carter. 6'3 250 pound OLB with ELITE burst, strength and quickness. This was his first year playing OLD/edge, and he had 24 TFL and 12 sacks as a true junior. Imagine how much better he could get under Vrabel's tutelage? His first 2 years he played MLB, and had 104 tackles, 17 TFL, 1 int, 9 passes defended and 11 sacks over said 2 years. His upside is twitchy Judon with coverage skills.

Carter gets my vote. I like investing in OLB/Edge with draft assets over stacking the same position we already have with the other 2.

Just my 2 cents. I'm sure I will flip as the combine and draft get closer.

Well reasoned conclusion.  Carter seems like a great pick to me also.  As to tackle, draft isn't the only options.  There will be average to above average to all pro-level tackles available as free agents.  That disruptive edge rusher is harder to fill via FA.  That is why it is probably better to draft the edge and sign the OT.

[green_bballers13]

I think Abdul Carter is Von Miller, and I want him. Badly. Vrabel played with a chip on his shoulder, and this team is going to be tough. They're going to win the line of scrimmage. Add Abdul Carter and another Richard Seymour/Jeffrey Simmons type of guy (that Vrabel loves).

If they beef up both lines, this team is back.

[johnnygreen]

We are still a few months away from the draft. What if the Titans, Browns, or Giants are not sold that Sanders or Ward are worth a top 3 pick? What if there are 3 blue chip players in Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, and Mason Graham and all 3 are gone before the Patriots pick at 4? That would be an absolute worst case scenario, but a little realistic at the same time. I hope Sanders and Ward have great pre-draft workouts and at least one is picked in the top 3.

[Neurotic Guy]

We are still a few months away from the draft. What if the Titans, Browns, or Giants are not sold that Sanders or Ward are worth a top 3 pick? What if there are 3 blue chip players in Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, and Mason Graham and all 3 are gone before the Patriots pick at 4? That would be an absolute worst case scenario, but a little realistic at the same time. I hope Sanders and Ward have great pre-draft workouts and at least one is picked in the top 3.

I guess the only saving grace could be that with the two QBs still on the board maybe there would be a couple of teams interested in trading up.  At least they'd get another decent pick or two.  But yeah, would not be good if Pats don't have a shot at one of the three.

[Phantom255x]

At this point, I'm assuming Hunter and Carter are going to be gone before #4, so the Pats best options are to either take DT Graham at #4, or maybe trade back with Brady and the Raiders at #6 where they take a QB, and we select a tackle (Campbell or Banks Jr.)

I'd actually be fine with that. Carter is the dream but there's a reason he's likely going #1

There should be no excuse though not to bolster the trenches this offseason. Graham or Campbell can do that on either side (offense/defense) and then you can fill other holes in Free Agency.

I'm also open to trading a 2nd round pick and a future 2nd round pick to acquire a WR like AJ Brown or Metcalf or someone like that. I say this because I think Higgins is staying in CIN or probably going somewhere else. I'd love Higgins in NE but it seems that it's not likely sadly. After him though not many options for WR1.

[Phantom255x]

- Trade #4 for Myles Garrett

- Use 2nd round pick on O-Line

- Trade 3rd round pick for Cooper Kupp

- Sign DE Khalil Mack

- Sign OT - Robinson or Stanley

- Sign WR Darius Slayton

- Bring back TE Austin Hooper and RB Antonio Gibson

What would you guys think if they did this? Truth be told, if Carter/Hunter isn't available at 4 I might be okay trading that pick for a star player. Garrett and Mack to go along with Keion White and Barmore would absolutely transform our defensive line overnight and give us a legit pass rush again. O-line gets better with a tackle and maybe a 2nd round pick. We still wouldn't have a WR1 in this scenario but Kupp is a legit veteran and I think him + Henry could be a "safety blanket" for Maye the same way Gronk and Edelman were for Brady. Slayton is a nice 2nd tier addition and is someone who is a deep threat and has still been productive even on those bad Giants teams. He won't command high WR money either.

They have 110M in cap space. I mean come on, SPEND IT. In this scenario a lot of it is spent on Mack, Kupp, Garrett and Robinson/Stanley. Then just use the remaining to shore up some depth (like bringing back Hooper)

[Roy H.]

- Trade #4 for Myles Garrett

- Use 2nd round pick on O-Line

- Trade 3rd round pick for Cooper Kupp

- Sign DE Khalil Mack

- Sign OT - Robinson or Stanley

- Sign WR Darius Slayton

- Bring back TE Austin Hooper and RB Antonio Gibson

What would you guys think if they did this? Truth be told, if Carter/Hunter isn't available at 4 I might be okay trading that pick for a star player. Garrett and Mack to go along with Keion White and Barmore would absolutely transform our defensive line overnight and give us a legit pass rush again. O-line gets better with a tackle and maybe a 2nd round pick. We still wouldn't have a WR1 in this scenario but Kupp is a legit veteran and I think him + Henry could be a "safety blanket" for Maye the same way Gronk and Edelman were for Brady. Slayton is a nice 2nd tier addition and is someone who is a deep threat and has still been productive even on those bad Giants teams. He won't command high WR money either.

They have 110M in cap space. I mean come on, SPEND IT

I think I'd be hesitant to spend too much draft capital on win now trades.  I think the Pats need building blocks.

[Phantom255x]

- Trade #4 for Myles Garrett

- Use 2nd round pick on O-Line

- Trade 3rd round pick for Cooper Kupp

- Sign DE Khalil Mack

- Sign OT - Robinson or Stanley

- Sign WR Darius Slayton

- Bring back TE Austin Hooper and RB Antonio Gibson

What would you guys think if they did this? Truth be told, if Carter/Hunter isn't available at 4 I might be okay trading that pick for a star player. Garrett and Mack to go along with Keion White and Barmore would absolutely transform our defensive line overnight and give us a legit pass rush again. O-line gets better with a tackle and maybe a 2nd round pick. We still wouldn't have a WR1 in this scenario but Kupp is a legit veteran and I think him + Henry could be a "safety blanket" for Maye the same way Gronk and Edelman were for Brady. Slayton is a nice 2nd tier addition and is someone who is a deep threat and has still been productive even on those bad Giants teams. He won't command high WR money either.

They have 110M in cap space. I mean come on, SPEND IT

I think I'd be hesitant to spend too much draft capital on win now trades.  I think the Pats need building blocks.

That's fair. I just wonder, this is overall not a great draft class and you wonder if there is actually any "consensus" guy at #4. I feel like every mock draft has the Pats taking someone different at 4. Most also have Carter/Hunter already gone. Are Graham or Campbell truly worth #4? Or do you gamble by trading down and hoping someone is available then.

[boscel33]

- Trade #4 for Myles Garrett

- Use 2nd round pick on O-Line

- Trade 3rd round pick for Cooper Kupp

- Sign DE Khalil Mack

- Sign OT - Robinson or Stanley

- Sign WR Darius Slayton

- Bring back TE Austin Hooper and RB Antonio Gibson

What would you guys think if they did this? Truth be told, if Carter/Hunter isn't available at 4 I might be okay trading that pick for a star player. Garrett and Mack to go along with Keion White and Barmore would absolutely transform our defensive line overnight and give us a legit pass rush again. O-line gets better with a tackle and maybe a 2nd round pick. We still wouldn't have a WR1 in this scenario but Kupp is a legit veteran and I think him + Henry could be a "safety blanket" for Maye the same way Gronk and Edelman were for Brady. Slayton is a nice 2nd tier addition and is someone who is a deep threat and has still been productive even on those bad Giants teams. He won't command high WR money either.

They have 110M in cap space. I mean come on, SPEND IT. In this scenario a lot of it is spent on Mack, Kupp, Garrett and Robinson/Stanley. Then just use the remaining to shore up some depth (like bringing back Hooper)

Someone is finally with me on Slayton!

I take Graham at 4, O-line in the 2nd, I like the Kupp for one of the 3rd's, and a TE with the other.  I like the Robinson signing, bringing back Hooper, and I might try to get Braun from Philly.  Gibson is still under contract, he might have a big role in Josh's offense.

[Donoghus]

Patriots don't exactly fit the description of a team that Garrett is trying to steer himself to.  Also, it's gonna cost more than a 1st round pick.  Pats are better served using that top 5 pick or trading it down a bit to acquire more capital, IMO.

[Phantom255x]

- Trade #4 for Myles Garrett

- Use 2nd round pick on O-Line

- Trade 3rd round pick for Cooper Kupp

- Sign DE Khalil Mack

- Sign OT - Robinson or Stanley

- Sign WR Darius Slayton

- Bring back TE Austin Hooper and RB Antonio Gibson

What would you guys think if they did this? Truth be told, if Carter/Hunter isn't available at 4 I might be okay trading that pick for a star player. Garrett and Mack to go along with Keion White and Barmore would absolutely transform our defensive line overnight and give us a legit pass rush again. O-line gets better with a tackle and maybe a 2nd round pick. We still wouldn't have a WR1 in this scenario but Kupp is a legit veteran and I think him + Henry could be a "safety blanket" for Maye the same way Gronk and Edelman were for Brady. Slayton is a nice 2nd tier addition and is someone who is a deep threat and has still been productive even on those bad Giants teams. He won't command high WR money either.

They have 110M in cap space. I mean come on, SPEND IT. In this scenario a lot of it is spent on Mack, Kupp, Garrett and Robinson/Stanley. Then just use the remaining to shore up some depth (like bringing back Hooper)

Someone is finally with me on Slayton!

I take Graham at 4, O-line in the 2nd, I like the Kupp for one of the 3rd's, and a TE with the other.  I like the Robinson signing, bringing back Hooper, and I might try to get Braun from Philly.  Gibson is still under contract, he might have a big role in Josh's offense.

Oh idk why I thought Gibson was a FA lol. Even better! I would still draft a RB with maybe a 4th or 5th rounder (Scattebo?). Stevenson has his fumbling issues so I want a little more depth there. Not a huge priority though.

I like your plan too. I've seen some predictions online where the Pats trade for Huff (an edge rusher for PHI who is 26 and excellent too).

Kupp would be an awesome addition. Yes he's not a WR1 or the same guy from 2021, but he's very smart, runs good routes and still has some explosion as we saw firsthand when he had a 70 yard TD against the Pats. He'd be a good veteran for everyone too, and I think his connection with Maye could be massive. For a 3rd rounder, hell yes!

I'd be okay with not getting WR1 if we get both of Kupp and Slayton. Of course though this is also contingent on us getting an ACTUAL LT and beefing up both lines. No "half measures" on offensive tackle and D-Line please.

[green_bballers13]

I like the idea Phantom, but I don't see Garrett signing here. I think he wants to go to a top 5 team. It will take the Patriots at least 2 years to compete with that monster defense Philly just created.

I think the key lesson learned is that the defensive/offensive lines are underrated. I'd love if the Patriots prioritized the trenches in whatever way they see fit. I don't really care about the actual names, as long as the coaching staff can create a cohesive, powerful team built from the line of scrimmage out.

[Neurotic Guy]

I like the idea Phantom, but I don't see Garrett signing here. I think he wants to go to a top 5 team. It will take the Patriots at least 2 years to compete with that monster defense Philly just created.

I think the key lesson learned is that the defensive/offensive lines are underrated. I'd love if the Patriots prioritized the trenches in whatever way they see fit. I don't really care about the actual names, as long as the coaching staff can create a cohesive, powerful team built from the line of scrimmage out.

Regarding the seeming invulnerability of the Eagles for some time to come, I reminds me of the sad memory of the Pats first superbowl appearance in 1986.  Pats got off to a good start and then were just decimated by the Bears who scored 46 straight points. Not even any garbage points for NE.   Bears seemed indestructible. Their defense was dominant.  Their offense solid with a decent QB and an all world RB. And then that team never made it to another Superbowl. 

[Phantom255x]

I like the idea Phantom, but I don't see Garrett signing here. I think he wants to go to a top 5 team. It will take the Patriots at least 2 years to compete with that monster defense Philly just created.

I think the key lesson learned is that the defensive/offensive lines are underrated. I'd love if the Patriots prioritized the trenches in whatever way they see fit. I don't really care about the actual names, as long as the coaching staff can create a cohesive, powerful team built from the line of scrimmage out.

Yeah ultimately if they pick at #4 but do a lot of the other things I mentioned, I'll still be very happy. I don't mind Graham or Campbell but would rather take them a few spots lower, not #4. Also, Campbell's arm size measurements will be interesting. Thuney played tackle for the Chiefs when they needed it but he got throttled by Philly's D-Line, and the thing is Thuney's arm size isn't that big which is why he's been a guard most of his career. If Campbell's arm size is similar and he projects as a guard I wouldn't take him. Or definitely not at #4.

If I had to guess, I think the Pats will ultimately take DT Graham. Maybe they trade down 2 spots with the Raiders and take him there while Raiders take Ward or Sanders.