The offseason program is officially complete for the New England Patriots as veterans are out of the building while rookies wrap up orientation. Eyes now turn too late July when everyone returns for training camp.
So let’s talk about it all and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
At this point, what do you think or the biggest potential holes in the Patriots roster? Or do you think we are all good? - Sportzballer
Ignoring unforeseeable holes, like ones caused by injuries, what hole or thin spot on the current Pat’s roster has you most uneasy? Which veteran from another team, that might be available for trade, would you most like to see acquired to fill that hole? - WannaBePatsGM
Left guard remains the biggest hole and question mark on the roster. Cole Strange looks like the front runner for the starting job coming out of the spring. Depth options include Sidy Sow, Tyrese Robinson, UDFA Jack Conley, and Layden Robinson, who does not appear to be a favorite of this coaching staff. Caedan Wallace could also factor into this position as could rookie Jared Wilson — if he is not considered for the starting center spot.
The other hole i’d look it is the spine of the defense when it comes to stopping the ground game. Christian Barmore and Milton Williams will anchor the defensive line, but can Khyris Tonga, who has never played more than 23 percent of a team’s defensive snaps in his four-year career, hold up as the unit’s rotational nose tackle?
And at linebacker, New England revamped the unit with Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens but already have suffered injuries to Jahlani Tavai and Marte Mapu. Both are expected back by training camp, but that is a thinner spot if missing one or two options.
What remaining free agents could the Patriots sign? - mathblaster97
Looking at some of the positions above, Dalton Risner and Brandon Scherff are the top two veteran guards remaining on the free agent market. A career left guard, Risner, 29, began last year on injured reserve but started nine games down the stretch at right guard for the Vikings in return allowing just one sack. He plans on playing this season.
As for the 33-year old Scherff, the career right guard has started 17 games for three straight seasons after dealing with injuries from 2018-2021. The veteran may not be the high level guard he was early in his career at Washington, but remains a consistent option along the inside as he did not allow a sack last season.
Elsewhere, if Jahlani Tavai is forced to miss additional time with the calf injury he suffered in OTAs the Patriots could look for additional linebacker depth. Kyzir White is the top name remaining and brings a more physical downhill presence (like Tavai) compared to New England’s other more athletic linebackers. White also was impressive as a pass rusher last season but struggled in coverage.
My biggest beef with some of the Bill Belichick teams defense was the lack of tackling in the open field and containing quarterbacks who could run. There are some concerns with this new defensive front with stopping the run. Historically how have Mike Vrabel coached teams done in these two areas? - BER Ryder
Throughout Vrabel’s time in Tennessee, the Titans consistently ranked in the top half of the league in Pro Football Focus’ tackling grade. That included four years in the top ten while their best finish came in 2019 when Tennessee ranked second (the year they reached the AFC Championship game). It should be a strength of a Vrabel-led team.
Last year 12 playoff teams were ranked in the top 14 teams for fewest rushing yards allowed. With the offseason additions along the D line being poor against the run (Williams) and the LB additions (Spillane) being lighter and smaller (thus built to stop the run by chasing down players not by engaging and overpowering O lineman), how are the Pats going to stop the run next year? - Chowdaballz
The new-look, more aggressive run scheme is built on smaller, aggressive lineman attacking single gaps with the hopes of making more plays in the backfield for a loss. That does, however, leave the door open for chunk gains if the proper gaps are not filled — leading to a more boom-or-bust style of run defense.
As for the names you mentioned, Milton Williams was one of the more efficient run defenders in football in 2023 until his role evolved in Philadelphia last season to be more of a pass rusher. Taking on more responsibilities now in New England, perhaps his run defense can take steps back in the right direction. And Spillane was around the ball plenty this spring. He projects as a good fit behind this aggressive d-line — which he shared is the style he loves to play behind.
With the logjam of second rounders being reluctant to sign not fully guaranteed deals, how worried should we be about Henderson not showing up to training camp? Put another way, when do you expect most 2nd round picks to be signed by? Thx! - @_jclemons
What is the big delay with the team’s 2nd round draft pick TreyVeyon Henderson and Safety Craig Woodson in signing with the club? - BER Ryder
Henderson’s delay has seemingly stemmed from the Browns and Texans, who held the top two picks in round two, giving out the first ever fully guaranteed contracts to second-round picks this year — complicating negotiations for fellow teams behind them. It will be interesting to see where the line stops in full guarantees, but I would not be too concerned about his training camp availability at this stage.
As for Woodson, his holdup appears to come from him looking for above-minimum compensation for a fourth rounder.
It seems that two primary roadblocks to attract talent are 1) MA state taxes and 2) the current results from the NFL player survey. Not much one can do about the first item, yet how is the team addressing the outcomes from the player survey toward improving the weight/training facility. treatment of families, quality of nutrition, etc? Is is a big focus for Vrabel and Kraft to turn this around ASAP? - Arschloch
The biggest step towards improvement here is the building of the new stand-along training facility that is currently under construction and set to be open in the spring of next season. That will hold the day-to-day operations of the team during the season and include things such as a new locker room, weight room, all football administration offices and meeting rooms, and plenty more.
New England also took some steps to start to improve last season, specifically in the “Treatment of Families” category. After finishing dead-last in that category with a F- in 2024, New England hired Halle Ross as family services and football engagement coordinator and began offering daycare during home games as well as a family room. Their grade improved to a C+ last season.
In the end, the biggest thing when it comes to attracting talent remains money. Just ask Milton Williams.
How soon will the Pats sign Brad Marchand? And why does it seem I am the only one who thinks it was almost as much fun watching him win a Cup in FL as it was watching Brady win a SB in TommyBay? - behindtheskilkthong
The 3x$7+ million deal Marchand is reported to get in free agency would be a steal in the football world. He was definitely deserving of another cup and it was awesome to see how well he played during their run. The main difference from Brady is that the Buccaneers had no real impact on the Patriots while the Panthers single-handedly ended an era of Bruins hockey.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following@iambrianhines and@PatsPulpit as well.