The Patriots are descending on Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Mix this week.
With free company and the NFL Draft on the horizon, let’s reply your questions in our weekly mailbag.
@JuicePickm: Ideas on Will Campbell transferring to RT?
Head coach Mike Vrabel already mentioned the Patriots aren’t moving Campbell from left sort out. And I agree that it’s greatest to present him one other 12 months on the place. Rookie tackles are by no means a completed product. Campbell regarded fairly good till his knee damage. I believe his struggles have been a mix of a return from damage, plus a rise in stage of competitors.
And I don’t actually like the concept of transferring him to proper sort out. Should you really feel like Campbell can’t play left sort out, you then gained’t really feel comfy with him at proper sort out, both.
I believe the Patriots ought to nonetheless prioritize including depth at sort out via the draft for 2 causes, nevertheless.
One, beginning proper sort out Morgan Moses might be 35 subsequent season, and the group wants to search out his successor. Two, if Campbell does ultimately want to maneuver to protect, then it will be good to have one other younger choice to plug in at one of many sort out positions subsequent season.
@patri0ts3: What do you consider drafting Blake Miller at 31 and doubtlessly having your prime decide sit the whole season?
Clearly, it’s not ideally suited to have your prime decide, on this situation, Miller, an offensive sort out, sitting for a complete season. That being mentioned, the Patriots have been extremely fortunate that Moses stayed wholesome sufficient to begin 21 video games final season. He began simply 14 video games in each 2023 and 2024. Clearly, the hope is that he stays wholesome for an additional full season subsequent 12 months, however that’s no assure.
So, even when the Patriots do draft a participant, like Miller, with out an apparent beginning spot, he might nonetheless wind up taking part in as a consequence of accidents. Or the Patriots might select to slip him inside at guard for a 12 months, as they did by transferring Jared Wilson from middle to protect for the 2025 season.
@robby_dudley: Doug, I’ve all the time loved your draft protection. At 31 are you concentrating on O-line, an offensive weapon, or Edge?
In a really perfect world, the Patriots would take an edge defender at No. 31 total (or trade for Maxx Crosby) after which nonetheless land a developmental offensive sort out within the second spherical. However once you’re choosing as late because the Patriots are this offseason, then you need to be lenient, and you need to be ready to take the perfect participant accessible.
You can make a case for the Patriots taking a participant at actually any place exterior of quarterback, working again, kicker, punter or lengthy snapper at No. 31 total. They only want extra high-end expertise on the roster.
@ted_mcgregor: Would you utilize among the extra draft decide capital to try to transfer off Landry’s assured contract? There’s some speak about him getting let go, however the contract assure appears like a he’s again it doesn’t matter what.
I don’t suppose that’s a sensible thought.
If the Patriots have been to chop Harold Landry this offseason, they might incur a unfavourable cap hit of $2.65 million. In the event that they have been to designate it a post-June 1 launch, then they might save $1.35 million in opposition to the cap.
It’s all about whether or not or not the Patriots imagine a full offseason will get Landry’s knee into higher form. He performed effectively till he acquired injured in Week 6. Then he was by no means the identical.
Clearly, even when he will get again to full well being this offseason, then he might nonetheless reaggravate it throughout the season, however the cap financial savings on a post-June 1 reduce is so minimal, you may as effectively hold him on the group and see how he can contribute.
@gonz_0_: Should you had to decide on between Fields and Brazzell who do you lean in direction of?
Relating to extensive receiver prospects, I in all probability want Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II over Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields, simply because he appears to be the higher athlete. But it surely’s shut. Both participant would give Drake Maye a big-bodied X-receiver.
@WilforkFanClub: Do you see potential extensions for both Boutte or Douglas? I imagine each are getting into the ultimate 12 months of their deal. #maildoug
I really feel like an extension for Kayshon Boutte is extra seemingly than DeMario Douglas, simply because he’s a starter and performs a way more worthwhile position. The Patriots would wish to get a extremely strong deal to increase Douglas at this level.
Douglas is an effective participant, however he has a restricted position within the Patriots’ offense. Vrabel and Josh McDaniels weren’t in a rush to present him a beginning spot as a slot receiver.
Boutte has the flexibility to play X, Z or within the slot. And he confirmed a powerful rapport on deep passes with Maye.
@thepatsguy074: Is that this low season extra free agent centered or resign your individual/discover trades? Gotta suppose the draft capital makes it simpler to maneuver across the board
I undoubtedly don’t suppose the Patriots may have a free company spending spree like they did final 12 months. That they had far more cap area and spent freely.
The Patriots must work out an extension for cornerback Christian Gonzalez and save for Maye’s eventual contract.
However I nonetheless suppose they’ve the flexibility to make a key commerce or signal an enormous free agent or two.
