Free agency is right around the corner which marks the first chance the New England Patriots will have to upgrade their roster under Mike Vrabel. With player movement upcoming, new names are hitting the trade market while an eye always stays looking ahead towards the NFL Draft.
So let’s talk about it all and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag.
If you were the Patriots head office this off season, what draft pick/package would you offer for, 1) AJ Brown 2) Brandon Aiyuk 3) Tee Higgins 4) Chris Olave 5) Jakobi Meyers 6) Cooper Kupp 7) DK Metcalf - jpage1003
Let’s put our GM hat on here:
1. I still have yet to see a reason why the Eagles are trading A.J. Brown. For as much as we’d all love him to be available I’ll believe it when I see it. If he somehow shakes free, it will start with a first-rounder plus more.
2. Even coming off the knee injury, Aiyuk is currently my favorite trade target at the position. He’ll be cheaper then last year’s reported deal (second- and fourth-round picks plus Kendrick Bourne) due to the injury and new contract. I’d start with pick 77 and either Bourne or Godchaux.
3. Cincinnati remains hell-bent on keeping Higgins — even now to the extent of losing Trey Hendrickson — but if not I would imagine the deal starts with pick No. 38.
4. I’ve always been a big fan of Olave dating back to his Ohio State days. If the Saints are eyeing a QB in the draft, I’ve long thought of the idea of a trade following the D.J. Moore-Bears package. The only issue, however, is Olave’s extensive concussion history which makes a deal risky.
5. Meyers could also be included in some type of trade-back from No. 4 to No. 6. There would need to be additional assets, however, as I wouldn’t deal a top 100 pick straight up for him.
6. I’ll wait for Cooper Kupp to be released.
7. Seattle is reportedly looking for a first- and three-round pick for Metcalf — which should be an easy pass from New England. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the bidding end somewhere around the Aiyuk package from last year as Metcalf will also need a new contract over $30 million annually.
Currently, the following teams are “in the red” with their 2025 salary cap: KC, BUF, MIA, ATL, CLE and NO. Since BUF and MIA are not going to willingly help New England, is there anyone on the remaining teams you may be interested in, either waiting for them to be cut or a trade? - 1stStateSoxFan
Olave is one upcoming choice in New Orleans as he’ll likely be playing on his fifth-year option in New Orleans next season and will be in line for an extension. Offensive tackle Trevor Penning, who worked with Patriots offensive line coach Doug Marrone with the Saints, finds himself in the same situation.
An obvious answer in Atlanta is tight end Kyle Pitts. On his fifth-year option this season, a trade of Pitts would save the Falcons nearly $11 million in cap space. Atlanta could also look to move off of right tackle Kaleb McGary. The 30-year-old enters the final year of his deal while a trade (or release) would free up $14.5 million.
In Cleveland, Vrabel is plenty familiar with Jack Conklin after working with him in Tennessee and then this past year with the Browns. Conklin, who will be 31 at seasons start, has dealt with injuries the past several seasons but a trade would free up over $7.5 million in cap for Cleveland — while a post-June 1 trade inflates that number to $14.7 million.
What do you think of trading down in round 1, getting Ty Warren and either Zabel or Conerly with capital from trade down? - HB47
There is not a lot of talk around Tyler Warren out of PSU. I think it might be a stretch at #4, however I think he would be a key piece for a long time in the McD offense. If we can land some key D pieces in FA and possibly get some OL/WR help as well, do you think he’d make sense if we can slide back a few spots, say with NYJ or LV? I love his game and think he’d be huge for Drake Maye to grow with. - jordsmith87
Even in this draft class — and with Daniel Jeremiah having Tyler Warren checking in at No. 5 on his recent top 50 — I would not pick a tight end at No. 4. Trading down, however, would open that door to me although I may prefer the more athletic Colston Loveland at this point over Warren. New England and Josh McDaniels could feel differently, however, with Warren drawing some Gronk-lite comparisons due to his play style.
If they move down for a tight end, offensive line would definitely be in play with their second selection. Based on their free agency additions at tackle, Zabel will be a strong option along the interior. If they strike out at tackle before the draft, then you would lean Conerly or Aireontae Ersery.
With the price tag for Deebo Samuel being a 5th round pick, do you think it would be wise for the Pats front office to dangle #4 in a trade back for some late Day 2 and Day 3 picks (ie #4 to the Jets for #7,109, 142 & 157)?
Some of the return could then be flipped (4th and 5th) in deals to bring in Cooper Kupp and a TE like Kyle Pitts. - Sdpatsfan84
The ideal scenario to me in a trade down is to net a future first-round pick. But yes, any trade down should net you additional assets which can then be used in an assortment of ways. Not only acquiring veteran players but then moving up later in the draft to target players higher on the board. The more assets the better.
With Terrell Willams playcalling details now confirmed, my question is what sort of defensive influences do you think will make it into his defense? And will there be a modular approach somewhat similar to the kind Mike MacDonald has made popular? - Sportzballer
The word with Williams is aggressive.
“He’s an aggressive-minded coach that’s coached really aggressive defensive linemen. That’s his background,” Vrabel described his defensive playcaller at the Combine.
Comparing the Vrabel/Williams defense in Tennessee to MacDonald’s defenses and one thing specifically stands out. Neither unit brings more than four rushers often but instead are aggressive using simulated pressures — where an unexpected rusher blitzes from the second or third level while another defender in a pass-rushing spot drops in coverage.
These looks allow defenses to be multiple on the backend and confuse both quarterbacks and offensive lineman to try and generate pressure. In Vrabel’s final season in Tennessee the Titans used ranked 11th in the league in sim pressure usage. The key difference when watching Tennessee compared to Baltimore, however, is their pressures often failed to get home.
Any chance we could pry Pat Ricard from the Ravens? McDaniels loves the FB and Ricard has shown ability to catch and block well. With so much cap room and dwindling options to throw money at seems like could be good value to have the best FB around
The only hint we currently have at their potential fullback plans are the signing of Giovanni Ricci, who was with Vrabel in Cleveland last year, earlier this offseason. Ricci fits that mold as a more athletic tight end/fullback hybrid which fits the Ricard style. Ricard is set to be a free agent so perhaps New England would be interested in the 31-year-old if Baltimore moves on.
Are the Patriots getting a uniform change this season since they are eligible? It seemed like the Patriots hinted a lot about uniforms during last season with the pictures they posted on their Media Platforms. - Marvelous_Whale
As we’ve said numerous times dating back to last season the expectation remains there will be some level of change.
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.