Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots concluded their offseason program on Thursday with their third day of mandatory minicamp. Players are off away from the facility for the next six weeks, but plenty remains to be talked about.
So, let’s get into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
Hey Brian. What do you think is more realistic scenario to bolster the edge depth: trading away a player and future asset for a guy like Thibodeaux, or signing a veteran like Joey Bosa to a short term deal? – Pat in Agawam
Mike Vrabel made it seem as though the team is comfortable with its current edge group — unlike at tight end, where he openly acknowledged the position could be addressed. That stance could change, however, if Harold Landry and Gabe Jacas remain sidelined.
If that happens, I’d make the call on Kayvon Thibodeaux. He is their style of player at that position and has a history with some members of the the staff, including defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr, defensive analyst Shane Bowen, and vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden.
At this point, though, I think signing a veteran is the more likely outcome. I’m not a fan of Bosa at this stage of his career — and he himself seems uncertain about his future — but players such as Jadeveon Clowney and Za’Darius Smith, who previously played under outside linebackers coach Mike Smith, stand out as veteran options with ties to the coaching staff.
“I can go on and on about Z. He was one of my favorite players of all time,” Smith said Thursday.
If you were GM and were going to Ram it (trade all the picks for a player) who do you grab? – XGhost-PepperX
Speaking of pass rushers, it realistically probably would have been Myles Garrett as he’s one of the best players in the league at the Patriots biggest position of need. In a pipe dream: Will Anderson Jr.
At what date in the nfl’s schedule do the Pats and Jacas have to agree on a contract before their relationship terminates? Have the Pats ever drafted a player that didn’t actually join the team?
Jacas has until the Tuesday after Week 10 of the regular season to sign his contract. If he does not do so by that deadline, he forfeits his right to play that year and becomes eligible to re-enter the 2027 NFL Draft. At that point, every team but New England would be eligible to select him.
And yes, the Patriots have drafted players before who did not actually join them. One of the most famous examples is Nebraska defensive tackle Christian Peter, who was selected in the fifth round in 1996. Coming with an extensive legal history and allegations of sexual assault, his selection created an immediate outcry among the public that eventually resulted in the team forfeiting his rights a week after the draft.
***What’s the deal with Jack Westover? His performance at FB/potential at TE2 led to the...
