Hi guys, I look forward to this thread every week… With a pick so high is there a wide receiver in this year's draft class that would be an outside receiver as our primary X receiver that's worth drafting with a top 5 pick? I'm fine with the team trading down a few slots to acquire extra picks for this year or future picks as we should still be able to grab a quality left tackle with that new first-round pick. However, with the second round or maybe trading back into the tail end of the first round, do you see a perimeter X receiver available there that can be that deep outside guy we haven't had since we traded Moss away? I know we need a lot more than a tackle and wide out, but a good left tackle and explosive receiver would make a big difference in our offensive abilities. Would we still be best off drafting another tackle or guard later on in the draft tools, as well as edge, corner and off-the-ball backer. -Leif Santana-Perez

Thanks Leif, there are a lot of different ways to approach the offseason given that the Patriots are projected to have the most cap space in the league along with 10 draft picks, plus there aren't really any internal players that will require big money deals. It's hard to jump right into the draft without first talking about what makes sense in free agency. Unfortunately, there are limited possibilities at the team's biggest needs that you pointed out, specifically at receiver and tackle. Tee Higgins will be the belle of the ball at receiver. He's really the only elite receiver projected to hit the market who is under 30 years old. He'll have plenty of suitors that will drive up the price. At left tackle, there are some veteran options that could make sense. Ronnie Stanley has bounced back this year to an elite level, the Ravens will have a tough decision to make on him. Garrett Bolles and Cam Robinson are other proven vets, with Bolles very likely to return to Denver to keep Bo Nix protected.

All three are over 30 but would make sense to give the offensive line some immediate stability at its most important spot. The Pats might be willing to overpay a bit to make that happen with one of those guys. However, it's easy to see how New England could miss out on Higgins and those veteran left tackles given the lack of other talent on the market at their positions. That makes me think that the Patriots should look to secure other positions in free agency that might not jump out as their biggest needs. Cornerback, defensive line and linebacker are three defensive positions that are rich with deeper talent still in their 20s. One of my top names on the list, should the 49ers let him walk, is Dre Greenlaw who is just coming back from his Achilles tear last year in the playoffs. Combining him and Ja'Whaun Bentley would really change the complexion of the Patriots defense.

As for the draft, Tet McMillan is the top pure receiver, though I'm sure some might make the case that Travis Hunter as a receiver could bring more of what the Patriots need in terms of explosiveness. Still, McMillan's skillset could be an intriguing addition for Drake Maye. His size and physicality would be helpful on the outside and in the red zone.

Given how things are lining up right now the best choice, if the Patriots stayed at the top-five spot, might be Penn State edge Abdul Carter. He's still raw after changing over from an off-the-ball linebacker position, but he's got major juice and could make an immediate impact off the edge as he learns to round out his game. His experience at linebacker is a huge benefit as well if the Patriots are looking for a versatile front-seven defender who could be deployed in different ways. -Mike Dussault

Should Eliot Wolf be retained? He struck out in free agency. He overpaid for Kyle Dugger who made several obvious defensive gaffes last year. The only draft pick that has been a success is Drake Maye and he was the consensus second or third-rated quarterback in the draft, so who else should he have taken? Except for Maye and Van Pelt, who've done a great job bringing him along while working with a pretty bad offensive line, the rest of the team is much worse than last year when the defense wasn't as embarrassingly bad. Except for the quarterback position, which fell to them in the draft, what else has been rebuilt in this rebuilding year? -Bob Eaves

I think this is all fair to point out and consider, and though drafting a franchise quarterback deserves a ton of credit, many moves of the 2023 offseason have not worked out this far. I have some pushback though. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper have both been among the team's most consistent performers, while Antonion Gibson (three-year deal) has also been coming on as of late. Unexpected circumstances also cost the defense two of their best players who were given new contracts last summer, Christian Barmore and Jabrill Peppers. Anfernee Jennings ranks first in the league in run stops among edge defenders. Brenden Schooler (three-year extension) has ascended to become one of the best special teamers in the league. So there is some definite good in there.

I also don't believe any of the contracts given out last year are prohibitive, they will not handicap the team's future dealings. Essentially it gave them a bit of a core to work around over 2024 and 2025. That said, you're right, the last four games are huge for the rookies, especially Polk, Wallace, Robinson and Baker. But I'm not closing the book on any of them just yet.

So yes, I believe Wolf should be retained. This is a rebuild. The de facto GM, head coach and quarterback are all new to this. Not everything will be a home run. I really liked what he did last offseason. Even knowing what we know now, I'm not going to go back and change my tune. Yes, there's been frustration that some of these vets that they invested in have not had great years, but I think the general philosophy was right. Wolf made pushes for Calvin Ridley and Brandon Aiyuk. He understands what this team needs to do and though not every move paid off last year, I'm excited to see what he does this year. 2024 was about taking care of the pieces in-house first and foremost. Now, in 2025, he can turn his attention to the outside. -Mike Dussault

We always hear that the NFL is a copycat league, and I'd say that's a fair assessment. You have already addressed the lack of the QB sneak in NE's offensive arsenal. My question is and, it's really not exclusive to just the Pats, in light of the success rate, why do you think other NFL teams have not picked up the tush push used by the Eagles? It is virtually unstoppable and is always a better option than a QB sneak, especially out of the shotgun formation. -Rick Van

I think the Eagles were pretty special at it and they had a unique combination of excellent, big interior offensive linemen, led by Jason Kelce, and a highly athletic quarterback. This year's stats are hard to find on it, but Philly did fail to convert their first two tush push attempts in 2024, lending some credence to Kelce's value on the play. It's like anything in football, something new takes the league by storm, then other teams catch on and the new play's effectiveness starts to wane. Personally, I just think the Eagles were special at it and it's not easy to reproduce. -Mike Dussault

Assuming that the Colts game wasn't a one-off and Alex Austin and Marcus Jones finish the year as strong as they were in that game, does that move CB to a later round position? Gonzo, Austin and Jones as CB1, CB2 and CB3 seems like it could be a strong trio. If so, with the way Dugger has played this season and the uncertainity about Peppers future (Peppers seems more vital to the D than Duggar at this point), does safety become a higher priority? Dell Pettus looks good and Marte Mapu is inconsistent. So might need a blue-chipper to replace Dugger or Peppers (hopefully not both). A lot can change in the next few games but I see the new draft priority as: OL, WR, S, CB. -Troy Osgood

As I mentioned above, I think the Pats could really make a splash at both cornerback and safety in free agency if they wanted to. In my opinion, they need to target an established corner even if Austin and Jones are playing well down the stretch. It's a position of strength this season in free agency and though not a top need, you've got to take what the market gives you. Imagine Gonzo with DJ Reed, Carlton Davis, Charvarius Ward or Byron Murphy. That's pretty much an elite one-two punch any way you cut it.

I could see the same thing at safety though with Peppers and Dugger under contract it's a little harder to see them taking a swing on another, but hey, throw Javon Holland in that mix and you've really got a lot to play with in the secondary.

Again, you can't pick which positions are rich in free agency and which are barren. When you've got the space to make moves you've got to think more about the player and less about the need. -Mike Dussault

Would taking an LT at three be worth it if hypothetically it would take them two to three years to develop and they aren't a Joe Alt type of prospect?-@PattyA_23

It doesn't really look like it this year. Will Campbell and Kelvin Banks top the tackle prospect list but both have questions that will likely drop them out of the top five at least. I think the best route is to try to get one of the veteran left tackles in free agency as mentioned above then draft a developmental tackle later on. Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota), Josh Conerly (Oregon) and Josh Simmons (OSU) are a few college left tackles that are on my initial watch list. -Mike Dussault

What's the stretch run of the season look for the Pats? -@MrEd315

Hopefully a couple wins! Most of all I'm just curious to see how they stack up against three teams that still have their sights set on the playoffs. The Cardinals and Chargers are both going to be desperate, while the Bills should give the Pats all they've got, at least in the first matchup. Keep an eye on the young players. Cole Strange at center? Caedan Wallace back at right tackle? Alex Austin getting more CB reps? Layden Robinson settling in at left guard? Can Ja'Lynn Polk make a couple plays to give him some confidence going into the offseason? And last, can Drake cut the turnovers and start willing his team to a victory? The Pats might be out of the playoff race but there's plenty to watch for over these last four games. -Mike Dussault

Hi Deuce! Happy bye-ish week to ya. The Patriots HC, OC and DC as festive/holiday dishes… go! -@ClazzyClare

Ending on a fun one, thanks Clare. Mayo's gotta be the turkey, the central piece that brings it all together (plus I love my turkey sandwiches with mayo). AVP is pumpkin pie, I didn't know what to expect from it at first but it just keeps growing on me. Finally, Covington is post-meal coffee, full of energy and delivering the ending that the meal (and the season) needs. -Mike Dussault

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