Patriots 2026-27 Off Season

[Phantom255x]

The two biggest needs for the Patriots are an edge rusher and WR1. Even if they add one guy of those two, I'd be happy. But they can't solely rely on the draft for either.

They can add a young, developmental TE and some depth for the O-Line + D-Line in the draft, but they still need another big move somewhere.

I still feel like OL is a pretty significant need. Moreso than WR1.

They added Tucker, and Wilson moved to center. I don't think Moses is retiring so I don't see them making another significant moves since they already said Campbell is staying LT. That's why I think they'll just add 1 or 2 O-Lineman in the draft for depth. Ben Brown is also a good backup in multiple spots.

Campbell-Tucker-Wilson-Onwenu-Moses, Ben Brown and Munford right now are depth.

They also added Hill and Gillman who I assume will help the run game and blocking

[Donoghus]

The two biggest needs for the Patriots are an edge rusher and WR1. Even if they add one guy of those two, I'd be happy. But they can't solely rely on the draft for either.

They can add a young, developmental TE and some depth for the O-Line + D-Line in the draft, but they still need another big move somewhere.

I still feel like OL is a pretty significant need. Moreso than WR1.

They added Tucker, and Wilson moved to center. I don't think Moses is retiring so I don't see them making another significant moves since they already said Campbell is staying LT. That's why I think they'll just add 1 or 2 O-Lineman in the draft for depth. Ben Brown is also a good backup in multiple spots.

Campbell-Tucker-Wilson-Onwenu-Moses, Ben Brown and Munford right now are depth.

They also added Hill and Gillman who I assume will help the run game and blocking

I think Tucker is a big question mark. High risk, high reward. Track history isn't great there. 

[Phantom255x]

Classless move by the Patriots organization for allowing Romeo Doubs to wear the No. 87 jersey, which it should have been retired by the GOAT tight-end, Rob Gronkowski.

The thing is, there have been other players to have worn the number here since Gronk left. Including Westover last year. Also Tre Nixon, Sokol, etc. and a few practice squad guys.

I do agree though, it's weird they haven't retired his number yet or that they keep letting other guys wear it. But I don't really care much. If Gronk is cool with it, then whatever.

[Vermont Green]

I am trying to understand how the Pats will set up the DL/Edge.  Teams these days tend to have 3 DL and 4 LB (classic 3-4 set up).  The DL guys tend to be 300+ lbs guys, the LB more in the 250 lbs range.  The Pats have Williams and Barmore to anchor the DL.  I view them both at more D-Tackles, not Nose Tackles and not really DEs either.  I am not sure you need a true NT.

If Williams and Barmore at playing the traditional DT role, then you need at least one more 300 pounder to play DE.  We have Pharms and Farmer who can play that role.  Or maybe Williams is the DE and Farmer/Pharms is the DT.  But then you have an outside linebacker at the other end, usually referred to as the "Edge".  The edge is very important, whether it is an OLB or a DE, that position has to contain both against the run and against a scrambling QB.  That is the role I think they have in mind for Dre'Mont Jones.  That role is not just about sacks though, which is how a lot of fans and talking heads seem to view it.  You can't give up the edge in the name of getting sacks.

[Phantom255x]

I am trying to understand how the Pats will set up the DL/Edge.  Teams these days tend to have 3 DL and 4 LB (classic 3-4 set up).  The DL guys tend to be 300+ lbs guys, the LB more in the 250 lbs range.  The Pats have Williams and Barmore to anchor the DL.  I view them both at more D-Tackles, not Nose Tackles and not really DEs either.  I am not sure you need a true NT.

If Williams and Barmore at playing the traditional DT role, then you need at least one more 300 pounder to play DE.  We have Pharms and Farmer who can play that role.  Or maybe Williams is the DE and Farmer/Pharms is the DT.  But then you have an outside linebacker at the other end, usually referred to as the "Edge".  The edge is very important, whether it is an OLB or a DE, that position has to contain both against the run and against a scrambling QB.  That is the role I think they have in mind for Dre'Mont Jones.  That role is not just about sacks though, which is how a lot of fans and talking heads seem to view it.  You can't give up the edge in the name of getting sacks.

Good points. I wonder if the Pats could view Durden as that guy. He was a rotational piece for them last year and very valuable alongside Tonga, especially during the period Milton Williams was out. Losing Tonga was a big blow, but yeah Durden could help I imagine.

I think in the draft, they need a young coverage-LB to sort of pair with Spillane at that level, and then if they can, add another pass rusher to develop. I admittedly don't know much about Dre'Mont Jones, but people seem to like him. I just hope he's not another Landry. I would have rather kept Chaisson for cheaper, but idk their thinking there.

Our secondary though with Byard is a legit unit. Gonzalez, Jones, Davis, Byard, Woodson is definitely up there as one of the best secondary units in the league.

[Goldstar88]

Wanted to work through this by position group, to see where things look better or not.

Wide Receiver:
Net: Wash

Diggs out, Doubs in.  Probably a wash.  I don't think this group was all that bad last season.  They had a very good offense, albeit against a weak schedule, but if the OL was better, the passing stats would have been better yet.  Of course AJ Brown is still out there.  That will probably resolve itself after June 1.

Tight Ends:
Net:  Slightly Worse

Hooper out, Julian Hill in.  Probably a little downgrade.  I expect this to be a target early/middle in the draft.

Offensive Line:
Net:  Injury Dependent, hopefully better

Bradbury and Lowe out, Alijah Vera-Tucker in.  Injury is the big IF here.  I call this one TBD, could go either way.  I do expect both Campbell and Wilson to be better in their second seasons.  Also likely a target in the early draft.  Even if AVT is injured, and Brown or Wallace have to play (or a rookie), it may not be the end of the world.

Defensive Front 7:
Net:  Wash, maybe lightly worse

I am never sure who is a lineman or linebacker these days but Tonga is out and I am not sure there is a corresponding interior DL to replace him.  Dre'Mont Jones is good, but more of an edge/contain DE type (which is a need also).  Then Jennings, Tavai, Gibbens, and Chaisson are all out, all smaller LB types.  Jesse Luketa and KJ Britt seem to be the replacements.  Seems like there are still some needs here, probably addressed in the draft.  Williams and Barmore will still anchor this group.

Defensive Backs:
Net:  Better

Jaylinn Hawkins and Alex Austin are out but Kevin Byard and Mike Brown are in.  This feels like a positive for the group overall.  Overall, this group should be very good anchored by Gonzalez and Davis.

RB/QB:
Net:  Wash

Updating this, I guess I could have included Antonio Gibson out and Reggie Gilliam in.  This probably does not change things much.  Still a very solid (even elite) group with Maye, Stevenson, and Henderson.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The offseason is not over, so more things could transpire, and then there is the draft.  Rookies are only going to do so much but there could be some helpful depth picked up in the draft.  Picks could still be traded for players also.  For the draft, I expect the following to be the priority:

Outside LB/Edge
Tight End
Offensive Line
Defensive Line

It would be nice to get a starter at OLB/Edge, not sure how realistic that is.  Just getting solid depth at the other positions would be fine.  You won't fill all your needs in a given draft.  There are enough needs that there should be flexibility to balance taking the best available vs. picking for need.

Doubs isn?t even close to being as good as Diggs. Unless they add another WR that group just got a lot worse.

[Vermont Green]

Wanted to work through this by position group, to see where things look better or not.

Wide Receiver:
Net: Wash

Diggs out, Doubs in.  Probably a wash.  I don't think this group was all that bad last season.  They had a very good offense, albeit against a weak schedule, but if the OL was better, the passing stats would have been better yet.  Of course AJ Brown is still out there.  That will probably resolve itself after June 1.

Tight Ends:
Net:  Slightly Worse

Hooper out, Julian Hill in.  Probably a little downgrade.  I expect this to be a target early/middle in the draft.

Offensive Line:
Net:  Injury Dependent, hopefully better

Bradbury and Lowe out, Alijah Vera-Tucker in.  Injury is the big IF here.  I call this one TBD, could go either way.  I do expect both Campbell and Wilson to be better in their second seasons.  Also likely a target in the early draft.  Even if AVT is injured, and Brown or Wallace have to play (or a rookie), it may not be the end of the world.

Defensive Front 7:
Net:  Wash, maybe lightly worse

I am never sure who is a lineman or linebacker these days but Tonga is out and I am not sure there is a corresponding interior DL to replace him.  Dre'Mont Jones is good, but more of an edge/contain DE type (which is a need also).  Then Jennings, Tavai, Gibbens, and Chaisson are all out, all smaller LB types.  Jesse Luketa and KJ Britt seem to be the replacements.  Seems like there are still some needs here, probably addressed in the draft.  Williams and Barmore will still anchor this group.

Defensive Backs:
Net:  Better

Jaylinn Hawkins and Alex Austin are out but Kevin Byard and Mike Brown are in.  This feels like a positive for the group overall.  Overall, this group should be very good anchored by Gonzalez and Davis.

RB/QB:
Net:  Wash

Updating this, I guess I could have included Antonio Gibson out and Reggie Gilliam in.  This probably does not change things much.  Still a very solid (even elite) group with Maye, Stevenson, and Henderson.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The offseason is not over, so more things could transpire, and then there is the draft.  Rookies are only going to do so much but there could be some helpful depth picked up in the draft.  Picks could still be traded for players also.  For the draft, I expect the following to be the priority:

Outside LB/Edge
Tight End
Offensive Line
Defensive Line

It would be nice to get a starter at OLB/Edge, not sure how realistic that is.  Just getting solid depth at the other positions would be fine.  You won't fill all your needs in a given draft.  There are enough needs that there should be flexibility to balance taking the best available vs. picking for need.

Doubs isn't even close to being as good as Diggs. Unless they add another WR that group just got a lot worse.

Last season, the Pats had a total of 4,258 yards passing, 4th best in the league.  This with a below average at best OL (48 sacks).  Diggs had 1,013 yards.  Doubs had 724 yards, best on GB, on a team that only had 3,617 team yards.  Doubs had 85 targets to Diggs 102 targets.  Doubs may not have 1,000 yards on his own, but I predict that the team passing yards will end up to something equal to or better than 4,258 yards again.  To me this is not just about Diggs vs. Doubs.  I will concede that Diggs is better, but how much will that impact the overall team passing?  When I say a wash, I think the overall team passing will be as good next season.  I do not see it being "a lot worse".

I guess since I was addressing the WR specifically, maybe you are right that I should say that specific to that group, it is not as good as last season.  I still don't agree that it is "a lot worse".

We'll see.

[Vermont Green]

I am trying to understand how the Pats will set up the DL/Edge.  Teams these days tend to have 3 DL and 4 LB (classic 3-4 set up).  The DL guys tend to be 300+ lbs guys, the LB more in the 250 lbs range.  The Pats have Williams and Barmore to anchor the DL.  I view them both at more D-Tackles, not Nose Tackles and not really DEs either.  I am not sure you need a true NT.

If Williams and Barmore at playing the traditional DT role, then you need at least one more 300 pounder to play DE.  We have Pharms and Farmer who can play that role.  Or maybe Williams is the DE and Farmer/Pharms is the DT.  But then you have an outside linebacker at the other end, usually referred to as the "Edge".  The edge is very important, whether it is an OLB or a DE, that position has to contain both against the run and against a scrambling QB.  That is the role I think they have in mind for Dre'Mont Jones.  That role is not just about sacks though, which is how a lot of fans and talking heads seem to view it.  You can't give up the edge in the name of getting sacks.

Good points. I wonder if the Pats could view Durden as that guy. He was a rotational piece for them last year and very valuable alongside Tonga, especially during the period Milton Williams was out. Losing Tonga was a big blow, but yeah Durden could help I imagine.

I think in the draft, they need a young coverage-LB to sort of pair with Spillane at that level, and then if they can, add another pass rusher to develop. I admittedly don't know much about Dre'Mont Jones, but people seem to like him. I just hope he's not another Landry. I would have rather kept Chaisson for cheaper, but idk their thinking there.

Our secondary though with Byard is a legit unit. Gonzalez, Jones, Davis, Byard, Woodson is definitely up there as one of the best secondary units in the league.

I am not all that familiar with Dre'Mont Jones' game, I am going a lot on what I am reading/hearing.  But he is listed at 268 lbs.  Spillane is listed at 229 lbs.  Jones is more of a hybrid LB/DE.  I don't see Jones as traditional edge rusher who leads the team in sacks, but he should be able to get his share while still having the size and strength to hold the edge against the run.  Chaisson had a problem with that.  Chaisson has the size and speed, but it never seemed to fully translate on the field.

I am hopeful that Jones will be good, but the overall LB group does still need some bolstering.  Landry is good, and I think Jones will be good.  Elliss and Spillane have limitations.

[Moranis]

Wanted to work through this by position group, to see where things look better or not.

Wide Receiver:
Net: Wash

Diggs out, Doubs in.  Probably a wash.  I don't think this group was all that bad last season.  They had a very good offense, albeit against a weak schedule, but if the OL was better, the passing stats would have been better yet.  Of course AJ Brown is still out there.  That will probably resolve itself after June 1.

Tight Ends:
Net:  Slightly Worse

Hooper out, Julian Hill in.  Probably a little downgrade.  I expect this to be a target early/middle in the draft.

Offensive Line:
Net:  Injury Dependent, hopefully better

Bradbury and Lowe out, Alijah Vera-Tucker in.  Injury is the big IF here.  I call this one TBD, could go either way.  I do expect both Campbell and Wilson to be better in their second seasons.  Also likely a target in the early draft.  Even if AVT is injured, and Brown or Wallace have to play (or a rookie), it may not be the end of the world.

Defensive Front 7:
Net:  Wash, maybe lightly worse

I am never sure who is a lineman or linebacker these days but Tonga is out and I am not sure there is a corresponding interior DL to replace him.  Dre'Mont Jones is good, but more of an edge/contain DE type (which is a need also).  Then Jennings, Tavai, Gibbens, and Chaisson are all out, all smaller LB types.  Jesse Luketa and KJ Britt seem to be the replacements.  Seems like there are still some needs here, probably addressed in the draft.  Williams and Barmore will still anchor this group.

Defensive Backs:
Net:  Better

Jaylinn Hawkins and Alex Austin are out but Kevin Byard and Mike Brown are in.  This feels like a positive for the group overall.  Overall, this group should be very good anchored by Gonzalez and Davis.

RB/QB:
Net:  Wash

Updating this, I guess I could have included Antonio Gibson out and Reggie Gilliam in.  This probably does not change things much.  Still a very solid (even elite) group with Maye, Stevenson, and Henderson.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The offseason is not over, so more things could transpire, and then there is the draft.  Rookies are only going to do so much but there could be some helpful depth picked up in the draft.  Picks could still be traded for players also.  For the draft, I expect the following to be the priority:

Outside LB/Edge
Tight End
Offensive Line
Defensive Line

It would be nice to get a starter at OLB/Edge, not sure how realistic that is.  Just getting solid depth at the other positions would be fine.  You won't fill all your needs in a given draft.  There are enough needs that there should be flexibility to balance taking the best available vs. picking for need.

Doubs isn't even close to being as good as Diggs. Unless they add another WR that group just got a lot worse.

Last season, the Pats had a total of 4,258 yards passing, 4th best in the league.  This with a below average at best OL (48 sacks).  Diggs had 1,013 yards.  Doubs had 724 yards, best on GB, on a team that only had 3,617 team yards.  Doubs had 85 targets to Diggs 102 targets.  Doubs may not have 1,000 yards on his own, but I predict that the team passing yards will end up to something equal to or better than 4,258 yards again.  To me this is not just about Diggs vs. Doubs.  I will concede that Diggs is better, but how much will that impact the overall team passing?  When I say a wash, I think the overall team passing will be as good next season.  I do not see it being "a lot worse".

I guess since I was addressing the WR specifically, maybe you are right that I should say that specific to that group, it is not as good as last season.  I still don't agree that it is "a lot worse".

We'll see.

The problem with this is, Diggs actually functions like a #1 receiver.  He is used to playing in that role and taking the doubles and the focus of attention.  Doubs isn't that guy.  He can't be that guy.  You can have all the depth in the world, but you need a #1 WR as they make everything better.  The Pats let their #1 WR go and didn't replace him with a #1.  Now if they get AJ Brown or some other #1 type WR, it will be fine, but if they go in with the room they currently have, even with growth from the young guys, they aren't going to be nearly as good. 

[Goldstar88]

Exactly. Doubs had a career year with 700 yards. That?s basically the worst year Diggs has ever had. Steph took a lot of pressure off the other receivers with the attention he commanded from the defense.

[Vermont Green]

I guess we will just have to see how the WRs work out.  I will continue to maintain that I would rather give up a little WR talent in exchange for a better OL.  Of course, if we can improve the OL and get AJ Brown, all the better.

Divas like Diggs tend to have a shelf life.  They can tow the line only so long before they start to become a problem.  I am fine with moving on from Diggs for Doubs.  Diggs may still come back.  There may be other moves.

I think the Pats are taking a longer view of the team.  They are not going to go all in for one player who will put them over the top for 1 season.  They are trying to build a team that will be good for the next 5 seasons.  I am fine with that.  I may be overly optimistic about Doubs.  It is hard to known until you see a player on your team.  Brown dropped like 3 easy catches in the playoffs.

[SparzWizard]

Wanted to work through this by position group, to see where things look better or not.

Wide Receiver:
Net: Worse (so far)

Diggs out, Doubs in.  Probably down a notch but I think overall passing yards for the team will not suffer.  I don't think this group was all that bad last season.  They had a very good offense, albeit against a weak schedule, but if the OL was better, the passing stats would have been better yet.  Of course AJ Brown is still out there.  That will probably resolve itself after June 1.

Tight Ends:
Net:  Slightly Worse

Hooper out, Julian Hill in.  Probably a little downgrade.  I expect this to be a target early/middle in the draft.

Offensive Line:
Net:  Injury Dependent, hopefully better

Bradbury and Lowe out, Alijah Vera-Tucker in.  Injury is the big IF here.  I call this one TBD, could go either way.  I do expect both Campbell and Wilson to be better in their second seasons.  Also likely a target in the early draft.  Even if AVT is injured, and Brown or Wallace have to play (or a rookie), it may not be the end of the world.

Defensive Front 7:
Net:  Wash, maybe lightly worse

I am never sure who is a lineman or linebacker these days but Tonga is out and I am not sure there is a corresponding interior DL to replace him.  Dre'Mont Jones is good, but more of an edge/contain DE type (which is a need also).  Then Jennings, Tavai, Gibbens, and Chaisson are all out, all smaller LB types.  Jesse Luketa and KJ Britt seem to be the replacements.  Seems like there are still some needs here, probably addressed in the draft.  Williams and Barmore will still anchor this group.

Defensive Backs:
Net:  Better

Jaylinn Hawkins and Alex Austin are out but Kevin Byard and Mike Brown are in.  This feels like a positive for the group overall.  Overall, this group should be very good anchored by Gonzalez and Davis.

RB/QB:
Net:  Wash

Updating this, I guess I could have included Antonio Gibson out and Reggie Gilliam in.  This probably does not change things much.  Still a very solid (even elite) group with Maye, Stevenson, and Henderson.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The offseason is not over, so more things could transpire, and then there is the draft.  Rookies are only going to do so much but there could be some helpful depth picked up in the draft.  Picks could still be traded for players also.  For the draft, I expect the following to be the priority:

Outside LB/Edge
Tight End
Offensive Line
Defensive Line

It would be nice to get a starter at OLB/Edge, not sure how realistic that is.  Just getting solid depth at the other positions would be fine.  You won't fill all your needs in a given draft.  There are enough needs that there should be flexibility to balance taking the best available vs. picking for need.

You forgot the other group that helps determine control of the field:

Special Teams

Net: Worse

Bryce Baringer the punter isn't exactly the answer if they depend on the punting game a lot. We saw that last season. Pats need a better punter eventually. Andy B is a stud though so he stays.

[Donoghus]

I think we're eventually gonna look back and see that the Pats maximized what they got out of Diggs and cut bait at the right time.  Might sting a bit short term but I don't think it'll end up being a huge blow to this offense.

[Vermont Green]

Wanted to work through this by position group, to see where things look better or not.

Wide Receiver:
Net: Worse (so far)

Diggs out, Doubs in.  Probably down a notch but I think overall passing yards for the team will not suffer.  I don't think this group was all that bad last season.  They had a very good offense, albeit against a weak schedule, but if the OL was better, the passing stats would have been better yet.  Of course AJ Brown is still out there.  That will probably resolve itself after June 1.

Tight Ends:
Net:  Slightly Worse

Hooper out, Julian Hill in.  Probably a little downgrade.  I expect this to be a target early/middle in the draft.

Offensive Line:
Net:  Injury Dependent, hopefully better

Bradbury and Lowe out, Alijah Vera-Tucker in.  Injury is the big IF here.  I call this one TBD, could go either way.  I do expect both Campbell and Wilson to be better in their second seasons.  Also likely a target in the early draft.  Even if AVT is injured, and Brown or Wallace have to play (or a rookie), it may not be the end of the world.

Defensive Front 7:
Net:  Wash, maybe lightly worse

I am never sure who is a lineman or linebacker these days but Tonga is out and I am not sure there is a corresponding interior DL to replace him.  Dre'Mont Jones is good, but more of an edge/contain DE type (which is a need also).  Then Jennings, Tavai, Gibbens, and Chaisson are all out, all smaller LB types.  Jesse Luketa and KJ Britt seem to be the replacements.  Seems like there are still some needs here, probably addressed in the draft.  Williams and Barmore will still anchor this group.

Defensive Backs:
Net:  Better

Jaylinn Hawkins and Alex Austin are out but Kevin Byard and Mike Brown are in.  This feels like a positive for the group overall.  Overall, this group should be very good anchored by Gonzalez and Davis.

RB/QB:
Net:  Wash

Updating this, I guess I could have included Antonio Gibson out and Reggie Gilliam in.  This probably does not change things much.  Still a very solid (even elite) group with Maye, Stevenson, and Henderson.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The offseason is not over, so more things could transpire, and then there is the draft.  Rookies are only going to do so much but there could be some helpful depth picked up in the draft.  Picks could still be traded for players also.  For the draft, I expect the following to be the priority:

Outside LB/Edge
Tight End
Offensive Line
Defensive Line

It would be nice to get a starter at OLB/Edge, not sure how realistic that is.  Just getting solid depth at the other positions would be fine.  You won't fill all your needs in a given draft.  There are enough needs that there should be flexibility to balance taking the best available vs. picking for need.

You forgot the other group that helps determine control of the field:

Special Teams

Net: Worse

Bryce Baringer the punter isn't exactly the answer if they depend on the punting game a lot. We saw that last season. Pats need a better punter eventually. Andy B is a stud though so he stays.

I will take your word for it on special teams. To be honest, I have not kept up with the punter situation.

[Phantom255x]

Doubs is not better than Diggs, but while I appreciated Diggs' time here and what he did for us, he did tail off in the final few months and was mostly a non-factor in the playoffs. I'm with Donoghus, maybe they cut bait at the right time when you factor in his off-field troubles. But also, so far he's still unsigned and we haven't heard any rumors, so I would actually put the chances of him returning here on a cheaper deal at "nonzero". There's still a small chance especially if AJ Brown doesn't happen and Diggs remains unsigned for a while.

Right now, my Plan A is trading for AJ Brown, even if it means giving up #31 this year, OR if it's done after June 1, do it for a 2027 2nd + 2 more future mid-round picks. Diggs was also able to draw attention which opened up things. Doubs can become a really good #2 and is still 25, but he's definitely not a #1 WR and not someone defenses will "fear". Still a good guy in the room.

If the plan is hoping Doubs, Kyle Williams and others all take big leaps and hoping one guy becomes the #1 WR, that's not good. Kind of reminds me when they tried convincing everyone Devante Parker, JuJu, Agholor, etc. were #1 and #2 receivers for a handful of years