Ruins of Pompeii.

[The JZA]

$90M Get the

[Soapy]

Good pick up with Young.

$90M Get the

I was high on him coming out of the top draft, thought he was better than Burrow

He's still a superstar dev trait which factored into the decision to get him

[Soapy]

New England keeps focus on defense with acquisitions of LB Tyrel Dodson, DT David Onyemata
They might not be sexy names but they were needed additions as the New England Patriots have signed linebacker Tyrel Dodson along with defensive tackles David Onyemata and Raymond Vohasek.

A former undrafted player, Dodson had seventy-seven tackles for Seattle last season along with three interceptions, five tackles for loss, five pass breakups and 2.5 sacks. He shined against New England, recording eleven tackles and was sideline-to-sideline demon that the Patriots defense desperately needed.

Onyemate has played for the Saints and Falcons, finishing six of the last seven seasons with at least three sacks. He had career marks last season with 6.5 sacks and should form a solid 1-2 punch with Christian Barmore in the middle of New England's defense.

Dodson's deal is three years, $19.8 million while for Onyemata and Vohasek its one year deals at $14 million and $3.2 million respectively.

Notable NFL Transactions
OLB Khalil Mack (1yr/$12.4m)
G Jonathan Cooper (3yr/$20.3m)
HB Aaron Jones (2yr/$15.3m)
QB Sam Darnold (3yr/$29.8m)

[Soapy]

Post Combine New England Patriots 3-Round Mock Draft: How does New England's free agency moves impact their draft strategy?
Since the last mock draft, the Patriots have signed a handful of players and the NFL Combine has taken place, changing the stock of various players, including those previously mocked to the Patriots.

With new team needs and an updated prospect order list, it's time for the final mock draft.

Patriots Top 100 Draft Picks
‣ Round 1, Pick 4
OT Will Campbell | 6'6", 320lbs | 1st ranked OT
It's been written.

‣ Round 2, Pick 36
CB Tacario Davis | 6'4", 190lbs | 4th ranked CB
The interior of the offensive line has improved, so has the defense in general, following the first phase of free agency so New England passes on a few edge rushers such as Patrick Payton and instead get a corner to replace Jonathan Jones.

Davis is an instinctual corner who utilizes his 6-foot-4 frame to disrupt receivers in all phases of the game, showing to be an impactful defender on the perimeter of the defense. Davis’ most concerning reps as a corner are those when he is in man coverage. Because Davis is a long strider, he appears to struggle at times to stay in phase with quick-twitch, explosive receivers in and out of their breaks.

He'll need some seasoning but he has the traits to be a top-end corner opposite of Christian Gonzalez on the outside.

‣ Round 2, Pick 52 (via LAC)
WR Barion Brown | 6'1", 174lbs | 7th ranked WR
They trade a receiver in Kendrick Bourne to get this pick and with receiver still a need and not signing one in free agency, New England needs to walk away from the draft with an outside receiver.

Patriots fans might still have PTSD from the Tyquan Thornton selection and while Brown does have similar traits, you can't just punt on drafting fast receivers. Brown is an explosive, dynamic offensive weapon and adds some value in the return game as well.

To reach his full potential, Brown will need to add functional strength and refine his route running. If he can improve his ability to beat press coverage and expand his route tree, Brown has the potential to develop into a borderline WR1.

‣ Round 3, Pick 68
OLB Jalon Walker | 6'2", 246lbs | 6th ranked OLB
While a pure edge rusher is no longer a need, Walker still feels like a perfect fit for New England's defense with his versatility.

[Soapy]

New England attacks special teams, defense with second wave of signings
New England's free agency haul isn't done yet as they've signed four more players in kicker Riley Patterson, punter Ryan Stonehouse, cornerback Benjamin St-Jute and defensive tackle Eddie Goldman.

None are household names but both Patterson and Stonehouse were the top available free agents at their respective positions as New England's special teams improves overnight. Patterson's deal is one year, $1.6 million while Stonehouse is slated to make $6.6 million over the next two seasons.

St-Juste might just be New England's starting corner opposite of Christian Gonzalez if the Patriots don't draft a corner early in the draft. The 27-year old started all seventeen games last year for Washington, picking off two passes with four pass deflections. It's a three year, $18 million deal for the former third round pick.

Notable NFL Transactions
DE Derek Barnett (1yr/$10.7m)
DT Javon Kinlaw (2yr/$12.2m)
LB Lavonte David (1yr/$10.2m)
OLB Dennis Gardeck (2yr/$13.5m)

[Soapy]

Former first round pick Cole Strange traded to Jacksonville for third round pick
The New England Patriots are moving and dealing under Elliott Wolf, making yet another trade to move up in the draft as they are sending Cole Strange to Jacksonville in exchange for the 73rd overall draft pick in this year's draft. It's the second straight offseason that the Patriots have sent a former first round pick to Jacksonville, trading Mac Jones' last year.

A surprising selection at the time, Strange started every game as a rookie and the first ten games of his second year before being sidelined with an injury that could keep him out of the entire 2024 season. Strange's fifth-year option was declined earlier this offseason and the Patriots signed free agent guard Brandon Scherff.

With yet another draft pick acquired, New England now has five picks in the top 75, extending their lead for most in the draft.

New England Patriots Draft Picks
Round 1, Pick 4
Round 2, Pick 36
Round 2, Pick 52 (via LAC)
Round 3, Pick 68
Round 3, Pick 73 (via JAX)
Round 5, Pick 132
Round 5, Pick 159 (via BAL)

[Soapy]

Marcus Mariota slated to be Drake Maye's backup
The New England Patriots have signed quarterback Marcus Mariota to a one year, $3.5 million deal to be Drake Maye's veteran backup.

Mariota spent last year as Jayden Daniels' backup in Washington. A former high draft pick himself, Mariota is a respected veteran with a similar athletic profile to Maye coming out of the draft who should be able to mentor Maye in a similar fashion as Jacoby Brissett.

New England also re-signed core special team player Brenden Schooler and signed four more free agents in fullback Patrick Ricard, linebacker Shaq Quarterman, defensive end Harran Reed and safety Sheldrick Redwine.

Ricard is a welcome addition to New England's already potent rushing offense as a blocker both from his regular fullback position as well as an in-line blocker.

Notable NFL Transactions
HB Alvin Kamara (2yr/$15.2m)
DE Cameron Jordan (1yr/$12.1m)
WR DeAndre Hopkins (2yr/$24.5m)
OLB Matthew Judon (1yr/$8.14m)
WR Elijah Moore (3yr/$25.5m)
HB Leonard Fournette (1yr/$1.99m)
LT Jedrick Willis Jr (2yr/$14.8m)
S Isaiah Simmons (2yr/$6.38m)

[djp73]

Ricard better get some run

[Soapy]

As expected, Patriots select Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick
The New England Patriots have selected offensive tackle Will Campbell Jr. out of the LSU with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Perhaps a generational talent, Campbell has started since his true freshman year, garnering experience playing against some of the premier edge rushers in the SEC. He has a great combination of strength, power, and tenacity that makes him a physical force as both a run blocker and in pass protection.

As a run blocker, Campbell does a good job of showcasing first-step quickness/explosiveness. Combined with his frame, he generates good overall power to move defenders and has the strength to stalemate or move defenders off the line of scrimmage and displace them. He should be an added asset to New England's running game which already shined last year with Rhamondre Stevenson having a career year.

Perhaps more importantly, New England is pairing their franchise quarterback Drake Maye with now a franchise left tackle. Even as a rookie with room for improvement, Campbell is an instant improvement from what Maye played with last season along the offensive line at left tackle.

2025 NFL Draft First Round Selections
1. CAR ‣ DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
2. ARI ‣ CB Will Johnson, Michigan
3. TEN ‣ WR Tetauria McMillan, Arizona
4. NE ‣ T Will Campbell, LSU
5. LV ‣ T Kelvin Banks Jr, Texas A&M
6. LAR ‣ DT Mason Graham, Michigan
7. CLE ‣ QB Cam Ward, Miami
8. CHI ‣ DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
9. JAX ‣ OLB James Pearce Jr, Tennessee
10. NYG ‣ QB Quinn Ewers, Ole Miss
11. MIA ‣ DE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
12. DEN ‣ TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
13. CIN ‣ HB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
14. WAS ‣ WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
15. SF ‣ T Emery Jones Jr, LSU
16. PIT ‣ QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
17. GB ‣ CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
18. NO ‣ HB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
19. IND ‣ CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
20. LAC ‣ T Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
21. PHI ‣ WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
22. TB ‣ RT Josh Conerly Jr, Oregon
23. ATL ‣ LB Harold Perkins Jr, LSU
24. BUF ‣ DT Deone Walker, Kentucky
25. SEA ‣ QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
26. DET ‣ T Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
27. KC ‣ DE Nic SCourton, Texas A&M
28. NYJ ‣ CB Tacario Davis, Arizona
29. HOU ‣ DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
30. MIN ‣ G Tyler Booker, Alabama
31. BAL ‣ G Tate Ratledge, Georgia
32. DAL ‣ S Malaki Starks, Georgia

[Soapy]

Ricard better get some run

i hope ya ain't talking about some carries lmao

but planning to use him as TE2 essentially since we don't have that many fullback formations