Patriots/NFL NFL Patriots Off Season

[CDJ]

Tet is like 10x the prospect Thornton was and I’m not a Tet guy

Just because a 5th round guy they reached for in the 2nd busted does not mean you should avoid drafting receivers, as a matter of fact it means you should draft more receivers until eventually some hit

It’s just very difficult to get a true #1 WR without drafting and developing one (or surrendering serious assets for one about to be due for a huge extension)

 

[DKH]

They need to really get a OL no matter where he plays

The Eagles know in theory each of the 5 line men block 20% and flexibility is a very welcome added bonus

4 may be to high and trade back a bit but between round 1 and 2 they need to draft a player who’s very good on the OL

I still don’t know why with all their cap space they didn’t grab Thuney but we will see if a plan explains it

I’m a Campbell guy, and a Campbell - Thuney left side, and a Thuney/Onwenu G duo looks pretty strong

LT Campbell
LG Thuney
C TBD
RG Onwenu
RT Moses

Backups
Lowe
Wallace
Robinson

On paper that looks good to me

 

[Oates2Neely]

Thuney is with the Bears now. Unless I’m missing something?

 

[DKH]

Thuney is with the Bears now. Unless I’m missing something?

Chicago Bears. The Monsters of the Midway.

Yes. The Patriots would not give up their 4th

 

[Oates2Neely]

Chicago Bears. The Monsters of the Midway.

Yes. The Patriots would not give up their 4th

I’m hoping they have a plan. It was their biggest need coming into this new season. Followed by WR. I know it’s early but if THIS is their team going into camp (even with a Campbell or Hunter) I’d grade it as a fail.

 

[DKH]

Belichick offered Brady 22.5 M lol

Would not go to 25 M because that is what he made

No player made more than Bill

What a mess that guy is

 

[Oates2Neely]

Belichick offered Brady 22.5 M lol

Would not go to 25 M because that is what he made

No player made more than Bill

What a mess that guy is

THIS guy, a mess??

 

[DKH]

THIS guy, a mess??

Sad what he’s become without Brady

80 Brady 20 Belichick

 

[yazmybaby]

There is no need to panic yet / lots of time to add players.
If Hunter falls into our lap, that would be fantastic. Give him a side to play as a CB and use him occasionally on offense. He will be the new Ohtani for us.
No way I am wasting a 4th pick on Campbell, he will be playing guard in the NFL.
If Hunter is gone and we cannot move down to 8-10 pick, then I take TMac.
After he ran a sub 4.5 40 yard, he is faster than Mike Evans and immediately becomes our #1 WR.
Take a tackle in Round 2, or take 2 tackles with our double pick in round 3.
If we come out of the draft with:
WR/2 tackles/RB/Edge rusher/Center and all can contribute we will be much better than last season.
I would like to see us sign:
Tyler Lockett - WR
Teven Jenkins - C
Cam Robinson - LT ( would be a huge upgrade vs Lowe)

 

[Oates2Neely]

Sad what he’s become without Brady

80 Brady 20 Belichick

Brady leaving exposed a ton of people, Belichick & Kraft especially

 

[Boston Bandit]

Mel Kiper Jr.'s New NFL Mock Draft Has Travis Hunter Falling Out of Top 3 to AFC Team — Sports Illustrated

The 2025 NFL draft is still over a month away, which means we remain locked in to mock draft season. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest one on Tuesday and the biggest stunner happened at the top of the board where he has Travis Hunter falling to the New England Patriots at the No. 4 pick.

Last month Kiper had Hunter going to the New York Giants with the No. 3 pick but now has them taking former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Here's Kiper's breakdown of the Patriots picking Hunter, who can play both cornerback and wide receiver:

The Patriots have been active in free agency, including signing Milton Williams, Harold Landry III, Carlton Davis III and Robert Spillane. But as you can see there, the big-name additions have come on defense. All that spending and still no WR1.

While Hunter could absolutely play cornerback in the NFL, I have him ranked as a receiver, where he can pick apart opponents with his ball skills, quickness and instincts. Despite playing both ways, he caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 scores last season. I just really like the fit in the Patriots' offense with quarterback Drake Maye.
Kiper's first five picks now look like this:

No. 1, Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

No. 2, Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State

No. 3, New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

No. 4, New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

No. 5, Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

 

[DKH]

Looks like Patriots are getting Hunter (if Giants are taking Sanders)

Trade up into first (Vikings) 38 & 77 and grab an OL

 

[Smitty93]

There is no need to panic yet / lots of time to add players.
If Hunter falls into our lap, that would be fantastic. Give him a side to play as a CB and use him occasionally on offense. He will be the new Ohtani for us.
No way I am wasting a 4th pick on Campbell, he will be playing guard in the NFL.
If Hunter is gone and we cannot move down to 8-10 pick, then I take TMac.
After he ran a sub 4.5 40 yard, he is faster than Mike Evans and immediately becomes our #1 WR.
Take a tackle in Round 2, or take 2 tackles with our double pick in round 3.
If we come out of the draft with:
WR/2 tackles/RB/Edge rusher/Center and all can contribute we will be much better than last season.
I would like to see us sign:
Tyler Lockett - WR
Teven Jenkins - C
Cam Robinson - LT ( would be a huge upgrade vs Lowe)

That was just one report. Most had him around 4.55, which I think is what many expected. He didn't run the 3 cone drill or shuttles, which were really the ones I wanted to know.

I think if they're taking Hunter at #4, it's probably with the intent of playing him at WR, given the investment they just made in Carlton Davis, unless they're fine with Hunter playing nickel for a couple years (seems unlikely).

If they wait until the 3rd for a tackle, might be looking at Cameron Williams or Ozzy Trapilo, both college right tackles, which would feel a bit like copying last year's Caedan Wallace pick.

 

[Boston Bandit]

NFL Power Rankings: Bears, 49ers rise after early 2025 free agency moves; Texans tumble

Rank
25 New England Patriots

The good news is that the Patriots burned through some cash to address all three levels of the defense. Harold Landry and Milton Williams boost the defensive line, Robert Spillane is an upgrade at linebacker and Carlton Davis profiles as a great No. 2 cornerback opposite Christian Gonzalez. Ready for the bad news? The offense remains a major work in progress. New England doesn't have anything resembling a go-to receiver, and the offensive line is incomplete, even after the signing of Morgan Moses. The Pats’ release of David Andrews wasn’t stunning, as it seems like the veteran center could be heading for retirement, but it still left a void. Left tackle is a question. Cole Strange is a question mark. Even the RB and TE groups could use some sprucing up. The worst part is that there are few obvious solutions just floating out there. I'll be curious how New England attempts to help Drake Maye over the next several months.

 

[yazmybaby]

That was just one report. Most had him around 4.55, which I think is what many expected. He didn't run the 3 cone drill or shuttles, which were really the ones I wanted to know.

I think if they're taking Hunter at #4, it's probably with the intent of playing him at WR, given the investment they just made in Carlton Davis, unless they're fine with Hunter playing nickel for a couple years (seems unlikely).

If they wait until the 3rd for a tackle, might be looking at Cameron Williams or Ozzy Trapilo, both college right tackles, which would feel a bit like copying last year's Caedan Wallace pick.

Hunter gives us a V12 engine on the field. I really hope he falls to us.
I watched a lot of film on TMac and he shows separation speed at times.
I love the way he can control the middle of the field for 8-10 yard passes.
His catch radius and size matchup makes it a nightmare for defenders.
Hollins already gives us a 6'4" receiver, put TMac out there as well and you have two large bodied receivers to cover.
Tackles like Josh Conerly Jr / Aireontae Ersery should be around when we pick at number 2.

 

[Shaun]

 

[CDJ]

Good run blocker, bad pass blocker

 

[Troublesome 85]

According to Bleacher Pats didnt want a vet WR to come in and pressure Maye

He and Hunter growing together is an idea

 

[Mione134]

So, you don't want them to draft WRs, then?

I'm not sure how the Patriots will be able to support Maye if they don't draft weapons for him.

I just don't trust this organization to draft WR's.

I feel like I can trust Hunter more as a pick.


But it's still scary.

 

[Oates2Neely]

I just don't trust this organization to draft WR's.

I feel like I can trust Hunter more as a pick.


But it's still scary.

Hunter is also a gamble at WR. He doesn’t have NFL weight, and he’s not known as a speedy kid. If he puts on weight will it make slower? Tough year to be drafting at 4. Really hoping Abdul Carter falls and makes this an easy decision.

Hunter is ranked as the 4th best WR in this draft

 

[Mione134]

Hunter is also a gamble at WR. He doesn’t have NFL weight, and he’s not known as a speedy kid. If he puts on weight will it make slower? Tough year to be drafting at 4. Really hoping Abdul Carter falls and makes this an easy decision.

Hunter is ranked as the 4th best WR in this draft

Yet, from what I've read and watches, lots of people think he's the best.

It's subjective at this point.

The Pats haven't drafted a good WR since...

Well it's been a long time.

But I think Hunter is a safe bet.

 

[Drift]

"Bradbury is one of the NFL's smaller centers at a listed weight of 300 pounds, and at times he has been overpowered by opposing defensive linemen". sweet

 

[Oates2Neely]

Yet, from what I've read and watches, lots of people think he's the best.

It's subjective at this point.

The Pats haven't drafted a good WR since...

Well it's been a long time.

But I think Hunter is a safe bet.

I have yet to see him ranked as the #1 WR in this draft. I see him listed as the best CB. Hence why I feel he’s ranked so highly. But the Patriots imo need a WR over another corner. If they’re drafting for a WR I’m not sure he’s their best bet. Now a Gonzalez Hunter combo would be solid, but they just signed their other corner.

My dream scenario is still trading that 4th to NYG for Nabers + 2nd. Giants draft Hunter & Shedur back to back.

 

[Nothingbutglass]

Hunter isn't ranked as the #1 WR, but is ranked as 1 of 2 players along with Carter that might be generational players in a weak top of the draft. At #4, with a dreck roster, get the BPA regardless where he ends up.

 

[BradPark22]

Yet, from what I've read and watches, lots of people think he's the best.

It's subjective at this point.

The Pats haven't drafted a good WR since...

Well it's been a long time.

But I think Hunter is a safe bet.

Malcom Mitchell. Too bad he had a bum knee