The Official 2026 New England Patriots Thread

[HuskyHawk]

Enough about Vrabel and Russini. It's the draft. Time for the 2026 thread.

Pats fill a big need for injury insurance and for Moses' inevitable retirement after this season. While many Pats fans wanted Max Iheanachor, who the Pats visited, Lomu was the higher graded prospect and they assumed he'd be gone. Moved up (I don't like giving up the 4th) because they were fairly sure the Chiefs would take him at 29,

 

[Deepster]

Enough about Vrabel and Russini? That soap opera just started, my friend! Not getting away that easily! 😉

 

[HuskyHawk]

My wish list for day 2 includes an Edge and a Tight End. Will have to see how the board falls, but the run on OL last night means that a draft that was already deep at Edge still has a lot of good players available.

Tight End is tricky. Delp looks like he has Gronk type potential athletically, but hasn't produced. Stowers looks like a great receiver, with minimal blocking ability for a TE. Max Klare looks like the safe bet, a classic TE who can block, get 1st downs. Not sure where they go.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Enough about Vrabel and Russini? That soap opera just started, my friend! Not getting away that easily! 😉

Just more interested in the draft and the team.

 

[Deepster]

Just more interested in the draft and the team.

Obviously you are.

 

[Scoe]

My wish list for day 2 includes an Edge and a Tight End. Will have to see how the board falls, but the run on OL last night means that a draft that was already deep at Edge still has a lot of good players available.

Tight End is tricky. Delp looks like he has Gronk type potential athletically, but hasn't produced. Stowers looks like a great receiver, with minimal blocking ability for a TE. Max Klare looks like the safe bet, a classic TE who can block, get 1st downs. Not sure where they go.

Justin Joly

 

[Scoe]

Enough about Vrabel and Russini? That soap opera just started, my friend! Not getting away that easily! 😉

Ya it's definetly not going away, we haven't even heard from Russini side of the story yet, Vrabel is involved so the Pats are very much involved it's a huge distraction already.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Justin Joly

Several options. He'd be there in round 3. Stowers and Klare won't be. The board will probably dictate whether they go Edge or TE in round 2. Might move up using one of those 6th rounders.

 

[Deepster]

What do you think the odds are that Russini's son Michael is Vrabel's kid? I mean, it's not 0%. Is it 25-30%? Higher?

 

[Palatine]

This is not political. It is simply economic.

“Adam Schefter Sparks Debate: Could Tax-Free New Hampshire Become the Ultimate NFL Free Agency Destination?”.Ng1 – Dailyex Xinloc

 

[HuskyHawk]

I think the Patriots filled two big needs at Edge and Tight End. They burned a lot of draft capital to do it. Both 4th round picks are gone.

Gabe Jacas is a violent player and that is what Vrabel and the defensive coaches want. One of the biggest differences in Vrabel's defense and Bill's is the level of aggressiveness. Seems like a great fit, high energy relentless player who also prides himself on run defense.

Rairdon was one of the only Tight Ends I didn't really look at. People kept saying they wanted Stowers, but I had a hard time with a 225 pound TE that doesn't block. Rairdon seemingly fell due to knee concerns, similar to Gronk with the back, but he's an absolute monster blocker with good athleticism who is very hard to tackle. So I am encouraged.