Ruins of Pompeii.

[Soapy]

New England signs former Patriot Jonathan Jones following one year stint with the Broncos
Jonathan Jones is back in the folder for the New England Patriots' secondary, signing a one-year, $5.3 million deal to return to Foxborough after playing one season with the Denver Broncos.

Jones had a frosty exit last offseason after the Patriots opted to sign veteran Benjamin St-Juste in free agency and draft Daylen Everette in the second round to help replace Jones, who was a key contributor on the defense for many years.

Jones' return likely means a position switch for the 32-year old as the Pats already have four starting caliber corners in Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones and the aforementioned St-Juste and Everette. It's a move that makes sense for Jones, who is no stranger to versatility. In 2020, Jones’ last full season as primarily an inside corner, he played 451 of 728 defensive snaps in the slot (62 percent), compared to 109 as a box safety, 90 at outside corner, 67 as a deep safety, and 11 on the line.

After an injury-shortened season in 2021, Jones’ role changed dramatically in 2022. That was partially out of necessity, due to a relative lack of experienced outside cornerbacks on the team. But Jones played nearly double the amount of snaps on the outside that he’d played in his entire career – 778 snaps on the perimeter out of 914, or 85.1 percent. He continued to play outside corner in 2023 with some occasional deployment to free safety, which is where Jones will more than likely play for the Patriots following the trade of Kyle Dugger to the Las Vegas Raiders.

In other free agency news, two players that the Patriots hosted on visits have signed elsewhere with Grady Jarrett signing a two-year, $32.8 million deal with the Chargers and safety Darnell Savage heading to the Broncos.

Notable NFL Transactions
WR Mike Evans (2yr/$30.8m)
WR Romeo Doubs (3yr/$23.5m)
HB Rachaad White (3yr/$11m)
DE Grady Jarrett (2yr/$32.8m)
LB Ivan Pace Jr. (3yr/$25m)
QB Desmond Ridder (3yr/$31.3m)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (3yr/$31.5m)
WR Khalil Shakir (3yr/$34.5m)

[Captain Canada]

Trading Dugger is a choice, but I see the vision. Better hit on that pick.

[Soapy]

Trading Dugger is a choice, but I see the vision. Better hit on that pick.

Wasn't going to be able to re-sign him (need to start clearing room for Maye and Gonzo) and he's getting older so figured I'd sell high. we move.

[Soapy]

Patriots add some veteran leadership in linebacker LaVonte David, running back Derrick Henry
The New England Patriots' roster for next year continues to take shape as they signed nine players in free agency, led by one year deals for veteran LaVonte David and Derrick Henry. It's one year, $4.2 million for Henry while David is a $9.5 million contract for one season as well.

David played for Tennessee last year and was as productive as ever, recording 114 tackles to extend his streak of seasons with at least 100 tackles to four, a mark he's reached in all but four of his fourteen years in the league. David is not only the logical replacement for Ja'Whaun Bentley from a leadership perspective, he also fills a gap left by safety Kyle Dugger who the Patriots used extensively at linebacker in the final stretch of the season. David has been one of the better coverage linebackers in the league, recording six interceptions in the past two years and twenty-two pass breakups.

Henry joins the NFL's top ranked rushing offense and gives the Patriots three veteran running backs capable of going off for 100-yards in a game along with a young player in Kyle Monangai who accomplished that feat last year when Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson were out.

Drake Maye rushed for over 1,000 yards last year and while the feat was impressive, the Patriots would probably prefer to their franchise quarterback to be less of a component of the running game and Henry should help replace some of that production while keeping Stevenson and Gibson fresh. In his second season with the Ravens, Henry rushed for 734 yards and twelve touchdowns on 4.2 yards per carry.

The other signings were bringing back former undrafted free agents running back Kyle Monangai (2yr/$6.8m) and tight end Orondo Gadsden II (4yr/$16m) who not only made the roster following training camp but played a role last with both players taking snaps in the playoffs. Jarran Reed is heading back to the Patriots after having a very solid year for the Pats as a rotational player, going from a vet minimum guy that was a camp invite into a one year, $5.5 million deal.

They've also signed projected depth players in linebackers Amare Barno (2yr/$7.8m) and DeAngelo Malone (1yr/$2.9m), safeties Jaylinn Hawkins (1yr/$2.5m) and Lewis Cine (2yr/$7.4m) and defensive end Payton Turner (1yr/$5.7m).

Notable NFL Transactions
G Joel Bitonio (1yr/$17.1m)
OLB Harold Landry (2yr/$17.1m)
LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (2yr/$16.7m)
T Kaleb McGary (1yr/$12.3m)
WR Mecole Hardman (2yr/$14.1m)
LB C.J. Mosley (1yr/$8.82m)
DE Arik Armstead (1yr/$10.5m)
LB Nakobe Dean (2yr/$9.7m)
WR Tyler Lockett (2yr/$17.9m)
LB Kenneth Murray Jr. (2yr/$9.7m)

[Soapy]

Patriots pass up on Caleb Downs, trade out of the first round to load up on draft picks for next year's draft
The New England Patriots have traded out of the first round after trading up, sending the 20th overall selection to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a first, second and third round pick in next year's draft along with a fifth and seventh round pick in this year's draft and a 2028 seventh round pick.

It's unclear if the Patriots traded out after trading up a few days ago due to the player(s) they were targeting being selected or if Seattle's offer was simply too good to pass up. Many projects the Patriots to draft a safety following the trade of Kyle Dugger and no safeties had been selected at the time of the trade with Caleb Downs, the top safety available, still on the board.

The Seahawks used the pick to draft left tackle Will Jados out of Miami of Ohio, becoming the eight offensive tackle selected in the first round thus far.

2026 NFL Draft First Round Selections
1. NYG ‣ DE Marvin Jones Jr, Florida State
2. CLE ‣ T Spencer Fano, Utah
3. PIT ‣ DE T.J. Parker, Clemson
4. DEN ‣ DE Trey Moore, Texas
5. CAR ‣ CB Jermaine Matthews Jr, Ohio State
6. NO ‣ WR Zacharian Branch, USC
7. ATL ‣ T Francis Mauigoa, Miami
8. LAC ‣ DT Peter Woods, Clemson
9. MIN ‣ DE Rueben Bain Jr, Miami
10. LAR ‣ T Blake Miller, Clemson
11. BAL ‣ WR Kevin Concepcion, NC State
12. CHI ‣ LB Anthony Hill Jr, Texas
13. TEN ‣ DE Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia
14. IND ‣ T Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
15. MIA ‣ T Elijah Pritchett, Alabama
16. SEA ‣ WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
17. DET ‣ T Charles Jagusah, Notre Dame
18. HOU ‣ T Lance Heard, Tennessee
19. TB ‣ CB Jaylon Braxton, Arkansas
20. SEA ‣ T Will Jados, Miami of Ohio
21. ARI ‣ T Nolan Rucci, Penn State
22. KC ‣ T Andrew Gentry, Michigan
23. NYJ ‣ T Fa'alili Fa'amoe, Washington State
24. WAS ‣ S Shyheim Brown, Florida State
25. SF ‣ S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
26. BUF ‣ S Keon Sabb, Alabama
27. LV ‣ QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
28. GB ‣ DE Cedric Faulk, Auburn
29. DAL ‣ WR Eugene Wilson III, Florida
30. JAX ‣ DE Kenard Snyder, Iowa State
31. CIN ‣ S Kendal Daniels, Oklahoma State
32. PHI ‣ T Riley Mahlman, Wisconsin

[Soapy]

Patriots draft Oklahoma safety, Combine standout Peyton Bowen with second round pick
The New England Patriots have selected Oklahoma safety Peyton Bowen with the 52nd overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The ideal modern day hybrid safety, Bowen was one of college football’s most complete defensive backs, excelling in coverage, run support, and playmaking ability. At 6'0" and 206 pounds, he combines athleticism with a high football IQ, making him a perfect fit for the Patriots' versatile defensive schemes.

Bowen put on a show in Indy, garnering some potential first round buzz after running a 4.48 in the forty and 4.15 in the 20-yard shuttle, placing him in the top three at the Combine among safeties which was especially impressive given his physical playstyle.

He could be a potential instant impact player, joining a safety room that is losing Kyle Dugger but did sign Jonathan Jones, who projects to play free safety during his second stint with the Patriots, and is returning Jabril Peppers and Marte Mapu.

At this point in their development, Bowen is a more technically sound and game ready than Dugger was coming out of Lenoir-Rhyne and Dugger was able to be an early contributor as a rookie.

2026 NFL Draft Second Round Selections
1. NYG ‣ DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
2. CLE ‣ WR Tyler Brown, Clemson
3. PIT ‣ DT D.J. Hicks, Texas A&M
4. DEN ‣ T Drew Shelton, Penn State
5. CAR ‣ HB Trevor Etienne, Georgia
6. NO ‣ QB Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee
7. ATL ‣ WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
8. LAC ‣ DE Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
9. MIN ‣ T Josh Simmons, Ohio State
10. LAR ‣ QB Conner Weigman, Texas A&M
11. BAL ‣ HB Makhi Hughes, Tulane
12. CHI ‣ S Dillon Thieneman, Purdue
13. TEN ‣ DT Joshua Farmer, Florida State
14. IND ‣ LB Lander Barton, Utah
15. MIA ‣ LB Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
16. SEA ‣ HB Justice Haynes, Alabama
17. DET ‣ DE Tre Smith, Arizona
18. HOU ‣ DE Keyron Crawford, Auburn
19. TB ‣ S Khalil Barnes, Clemson
20. NE ‣ S Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma

[Soapy]

Patriots trade back into the second round to draft another safety in Kamari Ramsey
The New England Patriots are double-dipping, trading away a sixth, two seventh round picks in this year's draft along with a second and two fourth round pick in next year's draft to the San Francisco 49ers for the right to select USC safety Kamari Ramsey.

Internally, New England felt really good about both Peyton Bowen and Kamari Ramsey, who they had on top-30 visits during the draft process and after picking Bowen earlier in the round and seeing that Ramsey was still available, the Patriots got aggressive and used some of the trade capital they've stocked up in next year's draft to go up and get Ramsey.

At 6'1" and 205 pounds, Ramsey is a physical enforcer who thrives in run support and excels in short-to-intermediate pass coverage. His aggressive style complements Bowen's rangy, ball-hawking abilities, creating a balanced safety tandem capable of handling a variety of assignments.

He's not as refined as Bowen is in coverage nor is he the athlete that Bowen is but they pair each other very well, similar to Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty in the early 2010s with the Patriots with McCourty being the rangy patroller of the secondary while Chung played closer to the box, offering run support and the ability to jam tight ends at the line of scrimmage.

2026 NFL Draft Second Round Selections
1. NYG ‣ DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
2. CLE ‣ WR Tyler Brown, Clemson
3. PIT ‣ DT D.J. Hicks, Texas A&M
4. DEN ‣ T Drew Shelton, Penn State
5. CAR ‣ HB Trevor Etienne, Georgia
6. NO ‣ QB Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee
7. ATL ‣ WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
8. LAC ‣ DE Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
9. MIN ‣ T Josh Simmons, Ohio State
10. LAR ‣ QB Conner Weigman, Texas A&M
11. BAL ‣ HB Makhi Hughes, Tulane
12. CHI ‣ S Dillon Thieneman, Purdue
13. TEN ‣ DT Joshua Farmer, Florida State
14. IND ‣ LB Lander Barton, Utah
15. MIA ‣ LB Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
16. SEA ‣ HB Justice Haynes, Alabama
17. DET ‣ DE Tre Smith, Arizona
18. HOU ‣ DE Keyron Crawford, Auburn
19. TB ‣ S Khalil Barnes, Clemson
20. NE ‣ S Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma
21. ARI ‣ C Parker Brailsford, Alabama
22. KC ‣ CB Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State
23. NYJ ‣ WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
24. WAS ‣ S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
25. NE ‣ S Kamari Ramsey, USC
26. BUF ‣ CB Mansoor Delane, Virginia Tech
27. LV ‣ TE Luke Hasz, Arkansas
28. GB ‣ DT Jordan Hall, Georgia
29. DAL ‣ HB Rueben Owens, Texas A&M
30. JAX ‣ DE Ethan Burke, Texas
31. CIN ‣ CB Jordan Hancock, Ohio State
32. PHI ‣ LB Tony Rojas, Penn State

[Soapy]

Patriots have a 'Need for Speed', draft South Carolina's Nyck Harbor despite lack of production
In the third round of the NFL Draft, the New England Patriots made a high-upside pick by selecting South Carolina's Nyck Harbor, an athletic freak whose physical traits are as eye-popping as they come. At 6'5" and 235 pounds, Harbor ran an astonishing 4.39-second 40-yard dash, showcasing a rare combination of size and speed that is virtually unmatched in this draft class. However, the selection comes with questions about his on-field production and ability to translate his potential into consistent NFL success.

Harbor, a former track star and multi-sport athlete, is still raw in terms of football refinement. While he’s flashed his ability as a big-bodied receiver or tight end who can stretch the field, his collegiate production hasn’t lived up to his physical gifts. At times, Harbor’s route-running and hands have lacked polish, and he has yet to dominate as a blocker despite his size. Still, the upside he offers is undeniable.

Given New England's lack of success at drafting receiver, this is certainly quite the gamble with not a clear path to playing time for Harbor at either receiver or tight end.

2026 NFL Draft Third Round Selections
1. NYG ‣ DE L.T. Overton, Alabama
2. CLE ‣ G Dylan Fairchild, Georgia
3. LV ‣ S VJ Payne, Kansas State
4. DEN ‣ G Earnest Greene III, Georgia
5. CAR ‣ S Alex Afari Jr, Kentucky
6. NO ‣ LB C.J. Allen, Georgia
7. ATL ‣ TE Amari Niblack, Texas
8. LAC ‣ TE Jack Velling, Michigan State
9. MIN ‣ WR Eric Singleton Jr, Georgia Tech
10. LAR ‣ LB Xavian Sorey Jr, Arkansas
11. BAL ‣ DT Lee Hunter, UCF
12. CHI ‣ LB Ben Roberts, Texas Tech
13. TEN ‣ LB Chris Paul Jr, Ole Miss
14. IND ‣ G T.J. Ferguson, Florida State
15. MIA ‣ TE Benjamin Brahmer, Iowa State
16. SEA ‣ LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
17. DET ‣ LB Taurean York, Texas A&M
18. HOU ‣ WR Chris Lewis, Troy
19. TB ‣ WR Gernie Bernard, Auburn
20. LV ‣ LB C.J. Hicks, Ohio State
21. ARI ‣ LB Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
22. KC ‣ HB C.J. Baxter, Texas
23. PHI ‣ G Cayden Green, Missouri
24. WAS ‣ LB T.J. Quinn, Louisville
25. SF ‣ DE Kelby Collins, Florida
26. BUF ‣ TE Jake Johnson, North Carolina
27. NE ‣ WR/TE Nyck Harbor, South Carolina
28. GB ‣ WR Kobe Prentice, Alabama
29. DAL ‣ CB Julian Humphrey, Georgia
30. JAX ‣ HB T.J. Harden, UCLA
31. CIN ‣ LB Micah Davey, McNeese State
32. PHI ‣ G Giovanni El-Hadi, Michigan

[Soapy]

Patriots wrap up 2026 NFL Draft with Oklahoma running back Gavin Sawchuk
The New England Patriots are hoping to find another late round gem, drafting Oklahoma running back Gavin Sawchuk in the fifth round with their final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The fastest running back at the combine, the Patriots were able to find a premiere running back in Rhamondre Stevenson a few years ago out of Oklahoma and will be hoping to find similar success with Sawchuk who is a different type of runner at five-foot-ten and 205 pounds.

He ran an impressive 4.38 at the Combine and then a blazing 4.31 at his Pro Day, solidifying himself as the fastest running back in the draft. He does bring some value on special teams as a returner which is his clearest path to making the roster and getting on the field.

[Soapy]

Patriots sign ten free agents to finalize roster ahead of training camp
The New England Patriots have finalized their training camp roster by signing ten free agents, all undrafted free agents as camp will begin next week.

The signings included wide receivers Tobias Merriweather (Cal) and Jayden Gibson (Oklahoma), offensive tackles Markel Bell (Miami) and Ty Buchanan (Texas Tech), defensive ends Tyreek Sapp (Florida) and Mikail Mamara (Indiana), defensive tackle Albert Regis (Texas A&M), EDGE Gabe Jacas (Illinois) and linebackers Kaleb Elarms-Orr (TCU) and Bryce Steele (Boston College).

Merriweather is among the standouts as a six-foot-five receiver that started his career at Notre Dame. As it currently stands, Merriweather and Gibson are the only receivers on the roster above six-foot-five which would bring a different element to a Patriots receiving room that doesn't have many contested catch bodies outside of Christian Watson.

It'll be a tall task for Merriweather or Gibson to make the roster as the sixth or seventh receiver with Watson, Barion Brown, Demario Douglas, Xavier Restrepo and Javon Baker all but guaranteed a roster spot. New England also has Kayshon Boutte on the roster, who spent last season on the practice squad and has played games with the Patriots.