Draft Pick Watch

j44thor

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What makes the drop from 1 to 4 so painful is NE was in a perfect situation to accumulate assets like CHI did a couple years ago when they thought Fields was their QB of the future so they dropped from 1-9 with CAR for multiple picks and players including last years #1 overall. Vegas is known to covet Shadeur and I bet we could have got the 6th and a future 1st from them had we stayed at 1. Vegas will likely be picking early again next season so you could essentially rinse and repeat which Chicago chose not to do given Fields struggles in 2023. Assuming Maye continues on his trajectory NE may have had the opportunity to trade out of multiple high draft slots in consecutive years to QB needy teams. There really isn't another comparable efficiency you can take advantage of like that.
 

Pat Spillane

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Feb 12, 2021
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Disappointing thing here is that for years the offense was neglected and finally we get a potential superstar in Drake Maye. We want to build around him with smart picks OL or WR. We were in a perfect positioin to add the next pieces before Buffalo with a trade down ot maybe Hunter. Now the smart move would be Carter or Graham where we are. We have regressed on D and could use either of them but its disappointing that the smart move here probably wont be OL/WR. Maybe some miracle happens and we tempt Higgins or Stanley but chances are we go D at 4 and hope for the best again in the lower rounds on offense
 

cshea

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What's really frustrating is that it was such a pointless win, and I'm not talking about the overall season record. If they had won the week before against LA, and lost to the Bills - that would have put them in the same place re: the standings. But, at least a win against LA would have been against a real team that was trying to win. The Buffalo game was such a joke, winning was almost an embarassment. Punting from the 35?!?!?
The Bills punter had a $100,000 incentive on the line for punts inside the 20. They gave him the chance to do it (he did). The Bills weren't trying to lose, they were trying to A) not get hurt and B) get a few guys incentives (the punter, Von Miller), and milestones (James Cook 1,000 yards and tie the franchise rushing TD record).

I don't really blame the Patriots for how they played the game. They treated it like an pre-season game. The 3rd string rookie QB played all but 3 snaps. They had 50/50 run/pass split. They sat their top receiving threat, played a few rookies more than usual on both sides and rotated in backups. Unfortunately in the context of the one game, Milton was good.
 

sezwho

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The Bills punter had a $100,000 incentive on the line for punts inside the 20. They gave him the chance to do it (he did). The Bills weren't trying to lose, they were trying to A) not get hurt and B) get a few guys incentives (the punter, Von Miller), and milestones (James Cook 1,000 yards and tie the franchise rushing TD record).

I don't really blame the Patriots for how they played the game. They treated it like an pre-season game. The 3rd string rookie QB played all but 3 snaps. They had 50/50 run/pass split. They sat their top receiving threat, played a few rookies more than usual on both sides and rotated in backups. Unfortunately in the context of the one game, Milton was good.
The Bills were not trying to win that game, sorry, and more than happy to offer the patriots a shit sandwich W.

I said it in the game thread, but we were the human season victory lap

Patriots pulled out kitchen sink played aggressively and took risks in ways that they didn’t all season. I get it Mayo already knew he was fired and he was like you I’m getting a W and the patriots can F off.

All we had to do was just run the ball more and we’d lose. But AVP was getting fired too, so he had to put something on his résumé.
 

BaseballJones

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My first try today at the PFN mock draft tool, which has been updated so NE is picking 4th.

1. Ten - Cam Ward
2. Cle - Travis Hunter
3. NYG - Shedeur Sanders

So now NE is on the clock. When I did this the other day with NE at #1, the trade offers that came in were tremendous. Today, there's one offer: Seattle is offering #18, #50, #82, a 2026 2nd rounder, and a 2026 3rd rounder for the #4 pick. So that's Sea's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks in 2025, plus their 2nd and 3rd round pick in 2026.

Tempting, as this rebuild for the Pats could be a few years in the making. But it drops NE a long way in this first round. So I'm going to decline it. Looking at the options, one guy sticks out to me:

Tetairoa McMillan
WR Arizona
Height: 6 - 5 |Weight: 210 lbs |RAS: N/A

It feels almost unfair to leave just one defensive back on Tetairoa McMillan. At 6'5" and 212 pounds, he dominates with size and physicality, but it’s his sneaky speed, precision routes, and ability to win at the catch point that truly set him apart. Whether creating separation or out-muscling defenders, McMillan delivers in key moments. Think of him as a blend of Mike Evans' strength and Randy Moss' catch-point mastery, and it’s easy to see why he’s such a coveted prospect.

Reading that scouting report, McMillan, he looks like a can't miss prospect. Excellent speed. Terrific size and strength. Excellent route-runner that gets tons of separation, but also makes tons of contested catches as well. That last line - a combo of Evans and Moss - I mean, holy cow.

I know NE needs OL, DL, and a bunch of other stuff, but this guy appears to be universally regarded as a true WR1 stud in the NFL.So I'm grabbing him and massively upgrading the offense (I hope).

Now I get to NE's second round pick. Two trade offers - one from Pit and one from Det. Each one offers their 2nd rounder plus each team's 2nd and 3rd rounders in 2026. I'm keeping the pick again and this time I'm grabbing DT Walter Nolan from Ole Miss. I'm hopeful Barmore will be back and healthy, but they need to be much better up front on defense and this guy is a monster.

Third round pick, #68. Pit offers their #84 and #95 picks for NE's #68 and a 2026 5th rounder. I'm accepting this offer, and now we come to NE's #77. GB now offers me #88 and #125 for my #77. I accept that one as well.

When I get to #84, Baltimore offers me #91 and #127 in exchange for #84 and #216. I accept that one as well.

So now I've got #88, #91, #95, #106, #125, #127, #142, #219, and #240. That's a lot of potential quality from #88 through #142. Seven picks over that span. Here we go.

I actually do something surprising here at #88 and grab RB Nicholas Singleton from Penn State. He's explosive, and the Pats need explosive players. Plus, I'm ready to move on from Rhamondre, who I am looking to trade.

#88 - RB Singleton
#92 - OT Greene III from Georgia
#95 - TE Helm from Texas
#106 - TE Gadsen from Syracuse (totally revamping my TE position with guys who have elite skills)

With those four picks, plus McMillan, I've massively upgraded at all three skill positions plus offensive line. Maye has a lot more to work with, and I think the offense can take a giant leap forward next year.

Now at #125, with #127, and #142 to follow, I need to focus on defense, since that was a catastrophe this past season.

#125 - LB Barham from Michigan - explosive player, especially if he's rushing
#127 - S Bassa from Oregon - really need help at the S position
#142 - CB Dixon from Washington - love Gonzales and Jonathan Jones but need help at CB too

Now for my last two picks, it's just best player available.

#219 - EDGE Joyner from Minnesota - at 6'5", he could pose real problems rushing the passer
#240 - CB Taylor from Vanderbilt

So here's the results:

94320

I think the offense improves a ton with McMillan, Singleton, Greene, Helm, and Gadsden, but we also address every level of the defense with DT, LB, S, EDGE, and CB (2x).

Obviously the odds are that most of these guys won't pan out. But I'm looking to reboot the organization, and I'd give these guys a real shot. If that means jettisoning a bunch of veterans, so be it.
 

PayrodsFirstClutchHit

Bob Kraft's Season Ticket Robin Hoodie
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The Bills punter had a $100,000 incentive on the line for punts inside the 20. They gave him the chance to do it (he did). The Bills weren't trying to lose, they were trying to A) not get hurt and B) get a few guys incentives (the punter, Von Miller), and milestones (James Cook 1,000 yards and tie the franchise rushing TD record).

I don't really blame the Patriots for how they played the game. They treated it like an pre-season game. The 3rd string rookie QB played all but 3 snaps. They had 50/50 run/pass split. They sat their top receiving threat, played a few rookies more than usual on both sides and rotated in backups. Unfortunately in the context of the one game, Milton was good.
The Bills were not trying all that hard to win late. There was no hurry up offense on the late 4th quarter possession. Hardo did enough to show a reasonable effort, but there is no way based on play calling and urgency they were trying to score late with their 3rd string QB.
 

cshea

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The Bills were not trying all that hard to win late. There was no hurry up offense on the late 4th quarter possession. Hardo did enough to show a reasonable effort, but there is no way based on play calling and urgency they were trying to score late with their 3rd string QB.
Totally agree and nor should he have. He played to get the game over as quick as possible to reduce as much injury risk to his team as possible. When the opportunity presented itself he put a few guys out there to hit incentives and milestones. I don't think he was actively tanking or trying to lose. He just didn't give a shit.

I just think the notion that the Patriots were aggressively trying to win is unfounded. They played the rookie 3rd stringer at QB plus a bunch of backups. They went for it on one 4th down early in the game and basically handled the in game decisiosn the same as they have all year. Short of kneeling or just running into the line 60 times I'm not sure what else they could've done. They weren't going to make a mockery of it.
 

gammoseditor

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The Bills played the game like an exhibition where they prioritized player incentives, didn’t really care who won, but would rather lose.

The Patriots played the game like an exhibition where they wanted their young players to perform. They gave some a shot at incentives. But they also preferred to win. Goal #1 should have been to lose with the rest of those goals being secondary.
 

NomarsFool

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Trying to get your players incentives is fine. Doing that as opposed to doing something to try and win the game, in my opinion, makes sort of a mockery of the game. The Patriots could have easily tried to go for it more on 4th down instead of kicking FGs and we probably lose that game and better help the team actually win some meaningful games in 2025.

Also, they could have given Baker some more run instead of padding stats for Douglas and Boutte.
 

Justthetippett

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Aug 9, 2015
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The Bills played the game like an exhibition where they prioritized player incentives, didn’t really care who won, but would rather lose.

The Patriots played the game like an exhibition where they wanted their young players to perform. They gave some a shot at incentives. But they also preferred to win. Goal #1 should have been to lose with the rest of those goals being secondary.
It was all going great when they were behind 16-14. That was the time for some creative runs into the line and a nice prevent defense that gave up a few more FGs and long drives at least If Mayo and the rest of the staff had an inkling this was their last game though I can't really blame them. Their incentive to play ball was gone. So again, it's on the Krafts. If they wanted a tank they should have fired them after the LAC game. They took a gamble and lost.
 

Curt S Loew

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Whatever. We only had 1 for a week because of the NYG. I was always prepared to win that last game knowing Buffalo would rest.

#4 is not a bad consolation. It's the management of the draft that concerns me now.
 

cshea

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It was all going great when they were behind 16-14. That was the time for some creative runs into the line and a nice prevent defense that gave up a few more FGs and long drives at least If Mayo and the rest of the staff had an inkling this was their last game though I can't really blame them. Their incentive to play ball was gone. So again, it's on the Krafts. If they wanted a tank they should have fired them after the LAC game. They took a gamble and lost.
So they fire Mayo after the LAC game. Let's say they put McAdoo or AVP or someone else on the staff in as interim for 1-game. The interim knows he's gone after the game, what's his incentive to follow orders and tank?

I get the frustration, I wanted them to lose too. Maybe they could've shut it down and monkeyed around after getting behind 16-14 but basically nobody on the field or sideline yesterday had any real incentive to lose, even if asked too by ownership. The last coach to openly tank was promptly fired.
 

astrozombie

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So they fire Mayo after the LAC game. Let's say they put McAdoo or AVP or someone else on the staff in as interim for 1-game. The interim knows he's gone after the game, what's his incentive to follow orders and tank?

I get the frustration, I wanted them to lose too. Maybe they could've shut it down and monkeyed around after getting behind 16-14 but basically nobody on the field or sideline yesterday had any real incentive to lose, even if asked too by ownership. The last coach to openly tank was promptly fired.
I agree with this. I would add that if the Pats fired Mayo after the Chargers game while #1 was in play but not guaranteed, Goodell would have likely sprinted to the closest phone to order an investigation.
 

Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache

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it's on the Krafts. If they wanted a tank they should have fired them after the LAC game.
The interim knows he's gone after the game, what's his incentive to follow orders and tank?
None of us know for sure, but I'm kinda with @cshea on this.

The way you get the coaching staff to play the game and not win was to signal that they all had job security. Absent job security, it's not realistic to ask coaches to do things that will count against their reputation for the good of the team.
 

Justthetippett

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Aug 9, 2015
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So they fire Mayo after the LAC game. Let's say they put McAdoo or AVP or someone else on the staff in as interim for 1-game. The interim knows he's gone after the game, what's his incentive to follow orders and tank?

I get the frustration, I wanted them to lose too. Maybe they could've shut it down and monkeyed around after getting behind 16-14 but basically nobody on the field or sideline yesterday had any real incentive to lose, even if asked too by ownership. The last coach to openly tank was promptly fired.
I am hoping they retain McCartney, so would have put him in charge. It would have been a mess, no doubt, and may have done more harm than good. I wish they had not won but actually think it will not make a huge difference. The offers to move up were not going to be the same this year. Now they can still likely take Edge1, DT1, WR1 or OT1.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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It was all going great when they were behind 16-14. That was the time for some creative runs into the line and a nice prevent defense that gave up a few more FGs and long drives at least If Mayo and the rest of the staff had an inkling this was their last game though I can't really blame them. Their incentive to play ball was gone. So again, it's on the Krafts. If they wanted a tank they should have fired them after the LAC game. They took a gamble and lost.
The stupidity was scoring at all after 16-14. Reading how the early portion of the game proceeded, it was damn clear that Buffalo was not scoring again at that point unless the Pats D tripped over themselves like those heartwarming high school videos where the unathletic walk on gets a long TD carry. You don't want the players themselves to tank, so adjust the play-calling by running up the middle and if the Buffalo D does the falling down then that's on them and Coach Hardo probably gets the instant karma next week.

Can't fault the coaches though, if I were Mayo or the coordinators I probably would have confirmed our jobs were safe before the game. If not, then I am sure as hell not putting a terrible coaching performance on tape just so my likely ex-employer gets a great draft pick. (Edit: Although they have already put at least a dozen bad coaching performances on tape before yesterday. Hey-O!)
 

BigSoxFan

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The stupidity was scoring at all after 16-14. Reading how the early portion of the game proceeded, it was damn clear that Buffalo was not scoring again at that point unless the Pats D tripped over themselves like those heartwarming high school videos where the unathletic walk on gets a long TD carry. You don't want the players themselves to tank, so adjust the play-calling by running up the middle and if the Buffalo D does the falling down then that's on them and Coach Hardo probably gets the instant karma next week.

Can't fault the coaches though, if I were Mayo or the coordinators I probably would have confirmed our jobs were safe before the game. If not, then I am sure as hell not putting a terrible coaching performance on tape just so my likely ex-employer gets a great draft pick. (Edit: Although they have already put at least a dozen bad coaching performances on tape before yesterday. Hey-O!)
I would have done the opposite and done a bunch of those Jets flea flicker plays under the guise of trying to entertain the fans in the last game. They’re impossible to pull off and often times lead to turnovers or big chunks of negative plays.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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I would have done the opposite and done a bunch of those Jets flea flicker plays under the guise of trying to entertain the fans in the last game. They’re impossible to pull off and often times lead to turnovers or big chunks of negative plays.
For real, they looked like they were fumbling intentionally on some of those pitch and trick plays all season. It could have easily fit in yesterday.
 

8slim

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The Bills went up 16-14 with 8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Expecting the Pats to call hand offs up the gut for the remaining 22 minutes just isn't feasible. Especially when the Bills had zero interest in doing anything but play their 3rd string and go home.

The problem was that Joe Milton didn't suck. If he sucked then we could have lost. But he was good. Shit happened.
 

Niastri

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The Bills were not trying to win that game, sorry, and more than happy to offer the patriots a shit sandwich W.

I said it in the game thread, but we were the human season victory lap

Patriots pulled out kitchen sink played aggressively and took risks in ways that they didn’t all season. I get it Mayo already knew he was fired and he was like you I’m getting a W and the patriots can F off.

All we had to do was just run the ball more and we’d lose. But AVP was getting fired too, so he had to put something on his résumé.
Next time, they have to remember to fire the entire coaching staff during the week leading up to the game, and find a bunch of high school coaches from the area to be interim coaches for the final game.

Maybe then they'll be safe from victory.
 

Cellar-Door

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Next time, they have to remember to fire the entire coaching staff during the week leading up to the game, and find a bunch of high school coaches from the area to be interim coaches for the final game.

Maybe then they'll be safe from victory.
Next time Bob should just coach the team himself.
 

sezwho

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Next time, they have to remember to fire the entire coaching staff during the week leading up to the game, and find a bunch of high school coaches from the area to be interim coaches for the final game.

Maybe then they'll be safe from victory.
All they had to do was run it more and they’d have lost just fine. That’s all. No unnatural acts once you’ve proved your Milton point.

We got out-tanked so Mayo could hang something on his mantle before they hung his head from the gate.
 

Devizier

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I mean, you can’t expect the players not to play. The Patriots were a bit lucky (from our perspective) to be in the drivers seat for number one, and a lot of these guys aren’t exactly as excited about drafting their replacements as we are.
 

BigSoxFan

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I mean, you can’t expect the players not to play. The Patriots were a bit lucky (from our perspective) to be in the drivers seat for number one, and a lot of these guys aren’t exactly as excited about drafting their replacements as we are.
They were definitely lucky to be in that position. None of us expected the Giants to win again. But once it happened, shit, you gotta do whatever is needed.

The big mistake was not canning Mayo after Chargers. This is why employers have garden leave. They don’t want people who know they are gone to f*ck everything up. And Mayo did just that.
 

scottyno

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The Bills were not trying all that hard to win late. There was no hurry up offense on the late 4th quarter possession. Hardo did enough to show a reasonable effort, but there is no way based on play calling and urgency they were trying to score late with their 3rd string QB.
You can't run a hurry up offense when the clock keeps stopping because of incomplete passes. The bills last 6 plays were all incomplete passes, 5 of them deflected, and most of them being thrown at a practice squad defender getting his first career snaps who happened to have 3 pass defenses in the 4th quarter
 

McBride11

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Absolutely can be done successfully. Just need the right people in place to execute it. We both go back to the dark days of 1989-1992. Four seasons after that rock bottom we were in the Super Bowl. Anything is possible in the NFL with the right people in charge.
That 96 team also was the first season the pats had this up and coming guy as assistant head coach. He went to the Jets for a bit after. Not sure if he ever amounted to anything. Maybe they can get his magic back in Foxboro
 

twibnotes

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My first try today at the PFN mock draft tool, which has been updated so NE is picking 4th.

1. Ten - Cam Ward
2. Cle - Travis Hunter
3. NYG - Shedeur Sanders

So now NE is on the clock. When I did this the other day with NE at #1, the trade offers that came in were tremendous. Today, there's one offer: Seattle is offering #18, #50, #82, a 2026 2nd rounder, and a 2026 3rd rounder for the #4 pick. So that's Sea's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks in 2025, plus their 2nd and 3rd round pick in 2026.

Tempting, as this rebuild for the Pats could be a few years in the making. But it drops NE a long way in this first round. So I'm going to decline it. Looking at the options, one guy sticks out to me:

Tetairoa McMillan
WR Arizona
Height: 6 - 5 |Weight: 210 lbs |RAS: N/A

It feels almost unfair to leave just one defensive back on Tetairoa McMillan. At 6'5" and 212 pounds, he dominates with size and physicality, but it’s his sneaky speed, precision routes, and ability to win at the catch point that truly set him apart. Whether creating separation or out-muscling defenders, McMillan delivers in key moments. Think of him as a blend of Mike Evans' strength and Randy Moss' catch-point mastery, and it’s easy to see why he’s such a coveted prospect.

Reading that scouting report, McMillan, he looks like a can't miss prospect. Excellent speed. Terrific size and strength. Excellent route-runner that gets tons of separation, but also makes tons of contested catches as well. That last line - a combo of Evans and Moss - I mean, holy cow.

I know NE needs OL, DL, and a bunch of other stuff, but this guy appears to be universally regarded as a true WR1 stud in the NFL.So I'm grabbing him and massively upgrading the offense (I hope).

Now I get to NE's second round pick. Two trade offers - one from Pit and one from Det. Each one offers their 2nd rounder plus each team's 2nd and 3rd rounders in 2026. I'm keeping the pick again and this time I'm grabbing DT Walter Nolan from Ole Miss. I'm hopeful Barmore will be back and healthy, but they need to be much better up front on defense and this guy is a monster.

Third round pick, #68. Pit offers their #84 and #95 picks for NE's #68 and a 2026 5th rounder. I'm accepting this offer, and now we come to NE's #77. GB now offers me #88 and #125 for my #77. I accept that one as well.

When I get to #84, Baltimore offers me #91 and #127 in exchange for #84 and #216. I accept that one as well.

So now I've got #88, #91, #95, #106, #125, #127, #142, #219, and #240. That's a lot of potential quality from #88 through #142. Seven picks over that span. Here we go.

I actually do something surprising here at #88 and grab RB Nicholas Singleton from Penn State. He's explosive, and the Pats need explosive players. Plus, I'm ready to move on from Rhamondre, who I am looking to trade.

#88 - RB Singleton
#92 - OT Greene III from Georgia
#95 - TE Helm from Texas
#106 - TE Gadsen from Syracuse (totally revamping my TE position with guys who have elite skills)

With those four picks, plus McMillan, I've massively upgraded at all three skill positions plus offensive line. Maye has a lot more to work with, and I think the offense can take a giant leap forward next year.

Now at #125, with #127, and #142 to follow, I need to focus on defense, since that was a catastrophe this past season.

#125 - LB Barham from Michigan - explosive player, especially if he's rushing
#127 - S Bassa from Oregon - really need help at the S position
#142 - CB Dixon from Washington - love Gonzales and Jonathan Jones but need help at CB too

Now for my last two picks, it's just best player available.

#219 - EDGE Joyner from Minnesota - at 6'5", he could pose real problems rushing the passer
#240 - CB Taylor from Vanderbilt

So here's the results:

View attachment 94320

I think the offense improves a ton with McMillan, Singleton, Greene, Helm, and Gadsden, but we also address every level of the defense with DT, LB, S, EDGE, and CB (2x).

Obviously the odds are that most of these guys won't pan out. But I'm looking to reboot the organization, and I'd give these guys a real shot. If that means jettisoning a bunch of veterans, so be it.
For whatever it’s worth, there’s a decent chance Barham will stay in college one more year. Talk of giving him snaps at weak side end which could really help his (‘26) draft stock