Will the Patriots be looking at tight end as a No. 1 target?

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit ideas and notes round the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. TE as high goal? Coming off a week wherein the Patriots made a seismic shift at vast receiver by moving on from a group chief and No. 1 goal Stephen Diggsthe apparent query is how they plan to fill the void.

Steve Smith, who performed receiver in the NFL for 16 seasons and is now an NFL Network analyst with a specialty in evaluating vast receiver play, wonders if many are looking in the unsuitable path.

“I think the thing people aren’t paying attention to with New England is the tight end position. They may do some things that may shock some people,” Smith stated in a telephone interview. “It’s the history of the coordinator. Think about what Josh [McDaniels] has always had in his offense.”

It would be a vital misdirection play. With the authorized negotiating interval of free company starting Monday at midday ET, might the Patriots presumably make their greatest monetary funding at tight end — the place Isaiah Likely (Ravens) and Chig Okonkwo (Titans) are amongst the high gamers accessible — whereas sticking nearer to the establishment at receiver?

It’s an outside-the-box thought highlighting why the upcoming week is usually one in every of the most compelling on the soccer calendar. Because whereas there was widespread hypothesis on how the Patriots will method free company and the commerce market, there have been few tangible solutions on what coach Mike Vrabel, government vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf, vp of participant personnel Ryan Cowden, and vp of soccer operations and technique John Streicher (& Co.) are planning on doing.

This is not like 2025 when Vrabel promised an aggressive free company method after which spearheaded it with spectacular effectivity. The important factor Vrabel has stated this yr is that when he needs one thing, he often will get to purchase it. And that constructing competitors and depth all through the roster is crucial as the Patriots stay dedicated to a long-term outlook.

The Patriots have the wage cap area (round $57 million) and money to make strikes, even as they strategize round an anticipated mega-extension for cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

One hot-button media-based query is how they view the risk/chance of buying and selling for Eagles receiver AJ Brown. Smith is not offered that may be the finest transfer for New England, partially due to the projected excessive price to amass him that would come with a first-round decide, and the way his presence/goal share would have an effect on the progress of youthful receivers such as Kayshon Boutte (fourth yr) and 2025 third-round decide Kyle Williams.

“It’s a really good young man [receiver] core. The only way your young core really starts to develop is baptism by fire,” he stated. “Now I think they’re trying to figure out who can take the place of Diggs with the underlying stuff, which he excelled at. Josh has always loved a guy who can carve up the defense in the short areas, and behind the line of scrimmage, almost like a run play. [Danny] Amendola. Wes Welker. Then it turns into Diggs. He’s always had that in his offensive arsenal.”

Smith added that if the projected excessive commerce price for Brown comes down, his viewpoint might shift, however his common perception is that when “you have a young quarterback and a young core of receivers, letting those guys grow together makes it better long-term for the receiver core and quarterback.”

It’s additionally doable that 2025 undrafted free agent Efton Chism IIIwhose short-area quickness makes him a potential slot substitute for Diggs, is a higher a part of that blend alongside Boutte, Williams, veteran Mack Hollins (“clutch guy”) and Pop Douglas.

Regardless of whether or not the Patriots add a receiver, Smith’s level is that a case might be made that tight end stays a higher want as a result of it could unlock extra choices for McDaniels.

In addition, high returnee Hunter Henry He is 31 years previous, performed 1,067 offensive snaps final season, and is getting into the remaining yr of his contract. No. 2 Austin Hooperwho can be 31, is an unrestricted free agent. Developmental prospects CJ Dippre (Alabama) and Marshall Lang (Northwestern) are additionally on the roster.

Vrabel famous the depth of this yr’s draft class at the place, however maybe the Patriots — in a week the place Diggs’ departure has shined the highlight extra at receiver — are considering greater than that.

If so, Smith may have referred to as his shot.

2. Brown’s contract: If the Patriots plan to pursue a commerce for Brown, that is the money worth of the remaining years of his contract:

• 2026: $29 million

• 2027: $21 million

• 2028: $32 million

• 2029: $31 million

Brown was assured $84 million when he signed his most up-to-date three-year extension in Philadelphia, however the majority of that has already been paid by the Eagles. Considering how the market has spiked for receivers, with Ja’Marr Chase setting the tempo at $40 million per season, the contract would not be an impediment for New England — particularly over the subsequent two seasons.

The greater problem, it could appear, is reaching settlement on commerce compensation that may possible embrace the Patriots’ 2026 first-round decide at a minimal.

3. McDuffie impact: The Chiefs agreeing to trade cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams in trade for a package deal of picks that features a 2026 first-rounder (No. 29) may have a trickle-down impact in New England.

McDuffie enters the remaining yr of his contract and the Rams would not have made the commerce with out the intention of signing him to a top-of-the-market extension, which is able to additional form the marketplace for Gonzalez if the Patriots do not strike their very own deal earlier than that time.

4. Gibbens’ future: Clarity ought to be coming this week with Patriots restricted free agent linebacker Jack Gibbens. Because the tenders for restricted free brokers have spiked — $8.04 million for first spherical, $5.76 million for second spherical, $3.52 million for proper of first refusal — there are a rising variety of gamers throughout the league who aren’t receiving a tender (eg cornerback Alex Austin) or are agreeing to multi-year extensions and giving up the probability to hit unrestricted free company in 2027 (eg offensive lineman Ben Brownquarterback Tommy DeVito).

It’s arduous to think about the Patriots strolling away from the invaluable Gibbens, who stepped in for injured starter Robert Spillane down the stretch as the major communicator sporting the inexperienced dot on his helmet, so the right-of-first-refusal have a tendency would be the possible goal.

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Why Stephen A. thinks AJ Brown is the finest match to switch Stefon Diggs

Stephen A. Smith says AJ Brown is a “bit more special and physical” than Stefon Diggs and thinks he’d be a welcome addition to the Patriots’ offense.

5. Henry on the town: The Patriots’ voluntary offseason program does not start till April 20, however Henry, the veteran tight end, is amongst those that have been current at Gillette Stadium in current weeks. It is a reminder of the roots that Henry, an Arkansas native, has grown in New England as he enters his sixth season with the franchise.

6. Future picks: With the Patriots set to amass a 2027 fifth-round decide from the Bears in trade for heart Garrett Bradburyit retains them nicely stocked over the subsequent two seasons. That might assist if the group decides to get aggressive in pursuing a commerce goal such as Brown.

7. They stated it: (*1*) — Texans government VP and GM Nick Caserio, on a panel at the 2026 MIT Sloan Analytics Conference

8. Wills report: Former Browns left deal with Jedrick Wills Jr.., the 2020 first-round decide from Alabama who took 2025 off to heal a prior knee damage, is looking to get again in the recreation and his visits final week included the Patriots, Bears and Lions.

Vrabel, in fact, crossed paths with him in 2024 whereas serving as a Browns guide. Wills’ bodily traits have by no means been in query, however his motivation has, and the visits gave him a probability to promote himself to groups.

9. Downing’s message: Receivers coach Todd Downing was simple to identify throughout drills at the NFL mix due to his brilliant pink Patriots jacket, and NFL Network microphones picked up his message to prospects as he defined an over-the-shoulder catch drill.

Downing advised them to get pleasure from the second whereas additionally treating it like a job interview. His up-close view of the receiver class ought to complement scouts’ evaluations in what is taken into account a deep group.

10. Did You Know: The Patriots’ second-round decide is No. 63, and in the event that they hold it, this yr will mark the third time in franchise historical past they’ve chosen a participant at that slot. The others are tight end Marv Cook (Iowa, 1989) and defensive lineman Marquise Hill (LSU, 2004).