Looking at the Patriots 2026 - Iron Sharpens Iron

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PFF rated New England Patriots: C+​


Picks: 9 | WAA added: 0.604 (Rank 30/32)​

They gave the highest grade to CB Prunty :high:
  • Pick 28: T Caleb Lomu, Utah Utes
  • Pick 55: ED Gabe Jacas, Illinois Fighting Illini
  • Pick 95: TE Eli Raridon, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
  • Pick 171: CB Karon Prunty, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
  • Pick 196: T Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M Aggies
  • Pick 212: LB Namdi Obiazor, TCU Horned Frogs
  • Pick 234: QB Behren Morton, Texas Tech Red Raiders
  • Pick 245: HB Jam Miller, Alabama Crimson Tide
  • Pick 247: ED Quintayvious Hutchins, Boston College Eagles
Highest-graded pick (2025): CB Karon Prunty, Wake Forest Demon Deacons (86.8)

Lomu: New England jumped a few spots to get the last tackle before a noticeable tier break. Lomu was a two-year starter at left tackle for Utah, where he earned PFF pass-blocking grades above 75.0 in each season. He provides a potential long-term answer at the position, with starting right tackle Morgan Moses nearing the end of his career at 35 years old.

Jacas: Jacas can be reactionary at times, but when he diagnoses plays correctly, he shows NFL-level playmaking ability. His build and strength support versatility as a 3-4 defensive end or outside linebacker.

Raridon: Raridon may not develop into a true TE1 due to limited receiving upside, but his blocking ability makes him a strong TE2 option for teams that rely heavily on 12 personnel.

Prunty: Prunty’s 2025 campaign was driven by an 86.8 overall grade, with strong coverage efficiency: he allowed 20 receptions for 220 yards on 45 targets, two touchdowns, one interception and six pass breakups, for a 65.0 passer rating in his coverage. At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds with 31.75-inch arms, he pairs above-average size with solid testing — a 4.45 40-yard dash (84th percentile) and an 86th-percentile three-cone — which shows up in his ability to stay in phase and close on throws. Despite that production, he went unranked on PFF’s Big Board, projecting as a potential value addition with developmental starting upside.

Crownover: Crownover stands out for his massive frame at 6-foot-7 and 319 pounds with over 35-inch arms, which should earn him a look at the next level. However, he must translate those physical traits more consistently in pass protection to reach his potential. He earned a 58.4 pass-blocking grade in 2025 and allowed two sacks, two hits and 23 hurries across 428 pass-blocking snaps.

Obiazor: Obiazor is a 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker who ranks No. 442 on PFF’s Big Board and brings a durable, high-volume profile from his time at TCU, with 817 snaps in 2023, 727 in 2024 and 728 in 2025. He worked primarily as a middle linebacker with experience on the weak side and produced steady grades of 72.9, 71.2 and 71.5 over those three seasons. In 2025, he earned a 75.9 run-defense grade, supported by an 82.3 tackling grade and a 77.8 pass-rush grade, while recording nine pressures on 54 blitzes, 26 defensive stops and two interceptions, which reflects a well-rounded profile with contributions in multiple phases.

Morton: Morton led Texas Tech during its dominant 2025 season, ranking 11th in the FBS in big-time throw rate (6.3%) while earning a 72.7 PFF passing grade. His projection carries risk, however, as his smaller frame, struggles under pressure and a 23.6% pressure-to-sack rate — among the higher marks in the FBS — combine with inconsistent accuracy to raise concerns about his transition to the next level.

Miller: Miller has a powerful NFL build with a throwback, between-the-tackles style. Unfortunately, his lack of creativity with the ball in his hands will make securing a roster spot difficult.

Hutchins: Hutchins logged just 847 snaps over his collegiate career, leaving a limited sample for evaluation. His pass-rush production remains a work in progress, as evidenced by a 73.8 PFF pass-rush grade from 2024-25, and his sub-60.0 PFF run-defense grades in two of three seasons highlight additional concerns. Combined with below-ideal size and length, he will need further development to carve out a role at the next level
 
NFL better watch out. They think we were a fluke last year but Campbell is gonna get better, AVT stays healthy, and Wilson plays center as good as he played guard and our line will be so much improved. Lomu adds the depth we need behind a 35 year old Moses. Brown can back up center or guard and AVT can play left and right so we have much improved starting 5 and a better more versatile gameday depth. How you gonna stop Drake if the Oline truly ends up this improved? Answer you can't.
 
Mike Reiss on X:
"Patriots transaction: RB Elijah Mitchell released.

After selecting RB Jam Miller (7th round) and agreeing with undrafted RB Myles Montgomery, it shakes up bottom of depth chart.

RBs: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison, Miller, Montgomery."

/ X https://share.google/UQ1eaCaY7gvuechhA
 
ParanoidPatriot said:
This article rates the NFL defensive units of all 32 teams from worst to first.
The Patriots are ranked #6 overall, with the Texans ranked #.
Click to expand...

Schefter followed that up by saying on Tuesday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show it won't "be hard" to finalize an agreement, which could include the Patriots giving the Eagles a 2028 first-round draft pick in return. 😎
Not saying I'm in favor of it, just that a '28 1st rnd pick is in play for it. Schefter also went on to say the Eagles are fine with a '28 pick.
 
chevss454 said:
Schefter followed that up by saying on Tuesday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show it won't "be hard" to finalize an agreement, which could include the Patriots giving the Eagles a 2028 first-round draft pick in return. 😎
Not saying I'm in favor of it, just that a '28 1st rnd pick is in play for it. Schefter also went on to say the Eagles are fine with a '28 pick.
Click to expand...
OK, that was about the AJ Brown trade, I assume.
The post was about defensive rankings. :D
 
Colin Cowherd had a stat that was something like of the 12 highest paid WRs last year none made the playoffs.
AJ is not worth a 1. Even a 28 1. 28 is when they will need to find his replacement.
 
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rivshark86 said:
Colin Cowherd had a stat that was something like of the 12 highest paid WRs last year none made the playoffs.
AJ is not worth a 1. Even a 28 1. 28 is when they will need to find his replacement.
Click to expand...
I don't disagree. I am just resigned to the fact it appears the Patriots have already made up their mind on this.
 
rivshark86 said:
Colin Cowherd had a stat that was something like of the 12 highest paid WRs last year none made the playoffs.
AJ is not worth a 1. Even a 28 1. 28 is when they will need to find his replacement.
Click to expand...

There's a difference between teams that sign star WRs to sell tickets and teams who sign one to win games.
Let's look at Cowherd's idiotic inference from his statement.

1. JSN. Offensive player of the year & won the SB.
2. Ja'Marr Chase. Led the NFL in TDs, receiving yards and receptions in '24. It's not his fault that Joe Burrow missed 3 months to turf toe surgery, or that their D stinks.
3. Justin Jefferson. No QB.
4. CD Lamb. 5th consecutive Pro Bowl. 5th consecutive 1000 yd season despite missing 3 games with a high ankle sprain. Blame the Cowboys' poor D.
5. DK Metcalf. No QB.
6. Garret Wilson. No QB. Poor coaching.
7. AJ Brown. Eagles made the playoffs and promptly lost to the 49ers in their 1st game. Jalen Hurts is the 19th ranked NFL QB. Ever notice he almost never lines up under center? That's a big disadvantage. Brown had a low target share which goes back to his poor relationship with Hurts. Even so, Brown's big play ability kept him in the top 10 for WR rankings by PFF for '25.
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown. Significant injuries to key players, and the loss of both offensive and defensive coordinators caused the Lions regression in '25. Can't blame the WR.
9. Brandon Aiyuk. Went bat shit crazy. 49ers made the playoffs for the 3rd team to make the playoffs with a top 10 pd WR.
10. Terry McLaurin. Injuries limited him to 10 games but Jayden Daniels's elbow injury was the reason Washington regressed in 2025.
In summary, Cowherd is an idiot. 3 teams with top 10 highest paid WR made the playoffs and Seattle won the SB.
AJ Brown.
His targets from Hurts went from 145 in year 1, to 158 to 97 then to 121 last year. We can see the issue between Hurts and Brown began in 2024 with only 97 targets. Despite the reduced targets, Brown's efficiency remained high in terms of TDs (7), Yds/game, catch % and yds/target. Instances of tension between them, such as sideline exchanges during games, have led to speculation about their relationship. Hurts also didn't go to Brown's May 5, 2025 engagement party although many other Eagles players were there. Hurts has not said why he didn't go which has led to more speculation their friendship has been strained.
 
chevss454 said:
There's a difference between teams that sign star WRs to sell tickets and teams who sign one to win games.
Let's look at Cowherd's idiotic inference from his statement.

1. JSN. Offensive player of the year & won the SB.
2. Ja'Marr Chase. Led the NFL in TDs, receiving yards and receptions in '24. It's not his fault that Joe Burrow missed 3 months to turf toe surgery, or that their D stinks.
3. Justin Jefferson. No QB.
4. CD Lamb. 5th consecutive Pro Bowl. 5th consecutive 1000 yd season despite missing 3 games with a high ankle sprain. Blame the Cowboys' poor D.
5. DK Metcalf. No QB.
6. Garret Wilson. No QB. Poor coaching.
7. AJ Brown. Eagles made the playoffs and promptly lost to the 49ers in their 1st game. Jalen Hurts is the 19th ranked NFL QB. Ever notice he almost never lines up under center? That's a big disadvantage. Brown had a low target share which goes back to his poor relationship with Hurts. Even so, Brown's big play ability kept him in the top 10 for WR rankings by PFF for '25.
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown. Significant injuries to key players, and the loss of both offensive and defensive coordinators caused the Lions regression in '25. Can't blame the WR.
9. Brandon Aiyuk. Went bat shit crazy. 49ers made the playoffs for the 3rd team to make the playoffs with a top 10 pd WR.
10. Terry McLaurin. Injuries limited him to 10 games but Jayden Daniels's elbow injury was the reason Washington regressed in 2025.
In summary, Cowherd is an idiot. 3 teams with top 10 highest paid WR made the playoffs and Seattle won the SB.
AJ Brown.
His targets from Hurts went from 145 in year 1, to 158 to 97 then to 121 last year. We can see the issue between Hurts and Brown began in 2024 with only 97 targets. Despite the reduced targets, Brown's efficiency remained high in terms of TDs (7), Yds/game, catch % and yds/target. Instances of tension between them, such as sideline exchanges during games, have led to speculation about their relationship. Hurts also didn't go to Brown's May 5, 2025 engagement party although many other Eagles players were there. Hurts has not said why he didn't go which has led to more speculation their friendship has been strained.
Click to expand...
Great post.

I think the Patriots will get no less out of Brown than they got from Diggs, I just don't like giving up any #1 to get him. As I've said though, I've made peace with the fact the Patriots are prepared to do so.
 
chevss454 said:
There's a difference between teams that sign star WRs to sell tickets and teams who sign one to win games.
Let's look at Cowherd's idiotic inference from his statement.

1. JSN. Offensive player of the year & won the SB.
2. Ja'Marr Chase. Led the NFL in TDs, receiving yards and receptions in '24. It's not his fault that Joe Burrow missed 3 months to turf toe surgery, or that their D stinks.
3. Justin Jefferson. No QB.
4. CD Lamb. 5th consecutive Pro Bowl. 5th consecutive 1000 yd season despite missing 3 games with a high ankle sprain. Blame the Cowboys' poor D.
5. DK Metcalf. No QB.
6. Garret Wilson. No QB. Poor coaching.
7. AJ Brown. Eagles made the playoffs and promptly lost to the 49ers in their 1st game. Jalen Hurts is the 19th ranked NFL QB. Ever notice he almost never lines up under center? That's a big disadvantage. Brown had a low target share which goes back to his poor relationship with Hurts. Even so, Brown's big play ability kept him in the top 10 for WR rankings by PFF for '25.
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown. Significant injuries to key players, and the loss of both offensive and defensive coordinators caused the Lions regression in '25. Can't blame the WR.
9. Brandon Aiyuk. Went bat shit crazy. 49ers made the playoffs for the 3rd team to make the playoffs with a top 10 pd WR.
10. Terry McLaurin. Injuries limited him to 10 games but Jayden Daniels's elbow injury was the reason Washington regressed in 2025.
In summary, Cowherd is an idiot. 3 teams with top 10 highest paid WR made the playoffs and Seattle won the SB.
AJ Brown.
His targets from Hurts went from 145 in year 1, to 158 to 97 then to 121 last year. We can see the issue between Hurts and Brown began in 2024 with only 97 targets. Despite the reduced targets, Brown's efficiency remained high in terms of TDs (7), Yds/game, catch % and yds/target. Instances of tension between them, such as sideline exchanges during games, have led to speculation about their relationship. Hurts also didn't go to Brown's May 5, 2025 engagement party although many other Eagles players were there. Hurts has not said why he didn't go which has led to more speculation their friendship has been strained.
Click to expand...
All of this is true. It’s not the fault of the WR.

But the argument is that a true 1 WR requires a significant allocation of resources in the form of draft capital, financial Cap space,…… and often emotional…. to acquire and keep.
The teams listed would have been better served having multiple decent pass catchers, and dumping top resources into the QB, Oline, and defense.
Why did the cowboys def suck? And the bengals for instance? Well what percentage of their cap space is those WRs?
So…… no…. No first rounder for AJ. Keep the defense stocked, keep the oline flush with talent and depth. Keep multiple decent WR and RB options.
Thats how the Pats did it for 20 years and it worked out pretty well until the end.
 
Hmm...
chevss454 said:
There's a difference between teams that sign star WRs to sell tickets and teams who sign one to win games.
Let's look at Cowherd's idiotic inference from his statement.
Click to expand...
Are these the top paid WRs, then?
chevss454 said:
1. JSN. Offensive player of the year & won the SB.
Click to expand...
Didn't he sign his big contract after the year, though? And the Seahawks proceeded to let three of their defensive starters and RB Kenneth Walker leave in FA?
chevss454 said:
2. Ja'Marr Chase. Led the NFL in TDs, receiving yards and receptions in '24. It's not his fault that Joe Burrow missed 3 months to turf toe surgery, or that their D stinks.
Click to expand...
So, I think the general point of the argument is that having top paid WRs is, in fact, at least partially responsible for the D stinking.
chevss454 said:
3. Justin Jefferson. No QB.
4. CD Lamb. 5th consecutive Pro Bowl. 5th consecutive 1000 yd season despite missing 3 games with a high ankle sprain. Blame the Cowboys' poor D.
Click to expand...
See above.
chevss454 said:
5. DK Metcalf. No QB.
6. Garret Wilson. No QB. Poor coaching.
Click to expand...
For the three "No QB" guys so far, raises the question of whether paying the elite WR is a good use of resources without at least a good path at QB, even if not "The Guy."
chevss454 said:
7. AJ Brown. Eagles made the playoffs and promptly lost to the 49ers in their 1st game. Jalen Hurts is the 19th ranked NFL QB. Ever notice he almost never lines up under center? That's a big disadvantage. Brown had a low target share which goes back to his poor relationship with Hurts. Even so, Brown's big play ability kept him in the top 10 for WR rankings by PFF for '25.
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown. Significant injuries to key players, and the loss of both offensive and defensive coordinators caused the Lions regression in '25. Can't blame the WR.
9. Brandon Aiyuk. Went bat shit crazy. 49ers made the playoffs for the 3rd team to make the playoffs with a top 10 pd WR.
10. Terry McLaurin. Injuries limited him to 10 games but Jayden Daniels's elbow injury was the reason Washington regressed in 2025.
In summary, Cowherd is an idiot. 3 teams with top 10 highest paid WR made the playoffs and Seattle won the SB.
Click to expand...
Who the top 10 paid WR are depends on how you measure. A quick search turns up that for 2025 it was:
  1. Chase
  2. Jefferson
  3. Lamb
  4. Metcalf
  5. Wilson
  6. McLaurin
  7. Brown,
  8. Three guys basically tied at 8: Hill, St. Brown, and Aiyuk, with Higgins and Waddle just behind, but they both were on teams that are already represented in the top 10.
Looks like 0 of the top 6 made the playoffs. #7, Brown, did. 3 of the top 10 and 3 of the top 12 paid WRs made the playoffs, but that's only 10 teams.
chevss454 said:
AJ Brown.
His targets from Hurts went from 145 in year 1, to 158 to 97 then to 121 last year. We can see the issue between Hurts and Brown began in 2024 with only 97 targets. Despite the reduced targets, Brown's efficiency remained high in terms of TDs (7), Yds/game, catch % and yds/target. Instances of tension between them, such as sideline exchanges during games, have led to speculation about their relationship. Hurts also didn't go to Brown's May 5, 2025 engagement party although many other Eagles players were there. Hurts has not said why he didn't go which has led to more speculation their friendship has been strained.
Click to expand...
Like most Patriots fans, I'm pretty mixed on how I feel about the pending Brown deal. If it's a 2027 1 plus Boutte? I won't be a fan of that. A 2028 2 and a 2027 3 for Brown and a 2028 5, or something like that? I'll stand and cheer.

I like the player historically - always been a fan of his game - but he's not without his questions (health, attitude are both potential issues) and in an absolute best case scenario (where he is totally healthy, buys in totally and is a team leader, and it is clear that the apparent decline in his play was due to Hurts and his coaching) he only has another couple of years at best of being near his peak. That said, I think his play could translate pretty well into being successful after his physical peak - he's not super reliant on just winning on quick-twitch and raw speed, but wins with size, route running, technique, and enough speed.

Is this where I would choose to spend draft capital and cap space for this team at this time? Probably not. But it's not a slam dunk loser, either. 2 to 3 years is an eternity in the NFL, and having 90% of peak Brown for one year declining to 80% by the end of year 3 is nothing to turn up your nose at, especially as such a nice fit for Maye.

And there might be some additional soft benefits from having a recognized superstar be so fully bought in to both the team (his childhood fandom, cried when he wasn't picked) and specifically to the coach. Considering his fandom, I'd be shocked if he wasn't also a fan of Josh's offense, and didn't already know a lot of the concepts, etc. Having that guy as an aging team leader, and able to bring along young talent in the WR room, might be more valuable than would be visible from our perch as fans.

Just some thoughts.
 
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