Sunday Patriots Notes: Thoughts and intel from the NFL Combine

A quick transition to the offseason took Mike Vrabel and the Patriots coaching staff plus front office to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis this week. Beyond getting familiar with prospects in the upcoming draft, discussions continued regarding New England’s free agency plans with roughly one week to go until the legal tampering period.

With roster movement about to pickup, let’s clean out the notebook from a week in Indianapolis. Welcome to this week’s edition of our Sunday Patriots Notes.

Need at edge

Patriots Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf said it himself: “[Edge rusher’s] obviously an area of need for our team.” 

It’s not just a need, however, as the belief is New England views edge rusher as the No. 1 position to address on their off season to do list. As for the type of player they are looking for, both Wolf and Vrabel shared their preferred traits — highlighting violence, first-step explosiveness, and pass rush disruption.

A year into building Vrabel’s vision, the Patriots prototype along the edge has been clear. Last offseason the Patriots signed both Harold Landry (6’2, 252) and K’Lavon Chaisson (6’3, 254) in free agency. They then drafted Bradyn Swinson (6’3, 255) in the fifth round and signed UDFA Elijah Ponder (6’1, 258). That build around 255 pounds combined with the described traits appears to be the mold.

In free agency, the Patriots could look to upgrade from Chaisson as the 26-year old is in line for his first career big payday. That could lead New England towards Jaelen Phillips, who the team already expressed interest in prior to last year’s trade deadline. Going back to their prototype at the position also makes Boye Mafe a name to watch, while they also saw Odafe Oweh up close in the postseason. While there’s plenty of talent available, the prices could get out of hand for the top of the market names.

Transitioning to the draft, Wolf and Vrabel additionally noted the talent and depth at the position in this year’s class. That group includes Missouri’s Zion Young, who met with the team in Indianapolis this week and has support inside the building in Foxboro. Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell additionally met with New England and fits the skillset/build they want along the edge.

And sticking with that prototype, UFC’s Malachi Lawerence is a potential day two option at the position pairing his tape with his performance and measurements at the Combine.

Then there is the Maxx Crosby situation. The feeling remains split on whether the Raiders will actually move off of their elite pass rusher, but the fit under Vrabel in New England was described as a perfect match. As is their right, Las Vegas is reportedly asking for a similar return that Micah Parsons fetched the Cowboys last offseason (two first-round picks plus a player). That price likely won’t result in a deal, as a Patriots offer would start with pick No. 31 and be paired with later draft compensation.

Diggs decision

Perhaps the biggest question the Patriots must answer this offseason is what to do with Stefon Diggs? The receiver’s presence on and off the field was one of the biggest reasons for New England’s turnaround this year. 

But, Diggs will turn 33 next season, has a rising cap hit, is coming off a lackluster playoff run, and remains in the middle of an ongoing legal issue. The Patriots can free up north of $16 million with a release. 

A solution is expected to be made before Diggs’ additional $6 million becomes guaranteed on March 13. The Patriots know they must continue to support Drake Maye moving forward, but the most popular belief is that it would be hard to see Diggs’ returning with a $26.5 million cap hit. Few believe a return on the current contract could remain a possibility (in part due to the limited available upgrades) — which highlights how things remain up in the air.

Diggs did enjoy his year in New England and wants to build on his Hall of Fame case with a Super Bowl ring, perhaps leading to him being flexible with a restructured deal to make a return happen.

A.J.’s availability

A.J. Brown hasn’t been shy that he would support a change of scenery. Speaking at the NFL Combine this week, Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni would not guarantee Brown’s return while noting they were open to listening on offers.

The Patriots will have interest in a trade, and they may be at or near the top of Brown’s list — which should matter as Roseman is expected to work through offers with the veteran’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, to find a landing spot for the receiver.

Vrabel, who drafted and coached Brown for multiple seasons in Tennessee, spoke about their relationship this week.

“I think the relationship with players, and specifically, you asked about A.J. It has meant a lot. I’ve watched him grow. I’ve watched him mature. I’m proud of him, proud of the father that he is. I’m proud of the husband,” Vrabel said. “That has nothing to do with where he plays or where he played. Those are the things that are important. We reach out and text each other during the good things that happen to each other. Sometimes things don’t go so well for the people that you’re close with, and you text for those as well. It’s a two-way street of support and reminders of what got us to where we are here today.”

Brown profiles as the exact type of wide receiver the Patriots offense could use moving forward. But, it’s also noteworthy that he will turn 29 prior to this season and has dealt with knee injuries in recent years — including getting his knee drained twice a week during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run. Those factors would likely start the trade package with a second-round pick, although Philadelphia will, and have, push for more and use Brown’s large dead cap hit as leverage.

Other notes

• Additionally at wide receiver, New England would have interest in Alec Pierce, but the feeling out of Indianapolis remains that the Colts won’t let him see the open market.
• New England will also look to rebuild the tight end depth chart behind Hunter Henry. Vrabel pointed to the “volume” in this year’s draft class. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if the team also added in free agency, with the belief here that an in-line blocking upgrade is key. Baltimore’s Charlie Kolar would be at the top of that list, which the Boston Herald reported a team source views Kolar as a better fit than some of the pass catching tight ends available.
• Like Diggs, Christian Barmore’s status remains up in the air due to a March 13 date when $10 million would be guaranteed and an ongoing legal issue. Although the popular expectation is the defensive tackle will be back for next season, another factor for Barmore’s long-term outlook is an ongoing knee concern.
• Like the edge spot, safety is a position filled with talent in both free agency and the draft. As Eliot Wolf said, Jaylinn Hawkins has earned the right to test free agency. The talent available may lead to a depressed market for the 28-year old which could end in a reunion.

Positional coaches

In their first year as a staff together, New England opted to leave positional coaches in Foxboro at this time last year. That changed this year as the Patriots staff was well represented under head coach Mike Vrabel.

Among the assistants in Indianapolis includes quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant, wide receivers coach Todd Downing, defensive line coach Clint McMillan, safeties coach Scott Booker and special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer. Springer was one of the lone coaches in Indianapolis last Combine as the Patriots went on to draft kicker Andy Borregales and long snapper Julian Ashby. With Bryce Baringer entering the final year of his rookie deal, punter could be a place where Springer’s attention was this year.

Gonzo’s goal

As the Patriots defensive backs huddled up prior to Super Bowl LX, it was cornerback Christian Gonzalez who gave a pre-game pump-up speech. That was unusual for the soft-spoke Gonzalez, but part of the 23-year old continuing to find his voice as a leader with help from head coach Mike Vrabel.

The two sides relationship grew throughout the year which now has set Gonzalez up to sign a lucrative contract extension with the team. In addition to that, Vrabel shared the corner hopes to eventually be named a team captain.

“Really enjoyed just our relationship, and how he had to put some time into it. Again, there’s a lot of trust that goes along with certain guys. Watched him continue to get better and improve as the season went on,” Vrabel said. “I asked him if he wanted to be a captain and he said that’s something he strives to be. I want to help him try to get there – to use his ability and instincts and knowledge to help the guys next to him.”

Diversity on staff

Newly hired assistant B.J. Edmonds also joined the coaching staff in Indianapolis this week. Edmonds was with the team last summer as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, which has seen coaches like Ashton Grant, Clint McMillan, and Justin Hamilton grow into positional assistants under Vrabel.

“I would say that I’ve always tried to be really intentional with the people that we bring in for that internship,” Vrabel said. “It’s a four or five week interview. And some of those coaches we weren’t able to hire as quality control coaches once the internship ran out, but we still know the job that they did. And when there’s an opportunity that presents itself, we were able to, you say, hey, we really liked this coach and bring them back and hopefully continue to develop them and provide opportunities.”

New England’s current staff currently includes six black positional coaches in addition to Terrell Williams and a handful of general offensive or defensive assistants. Assembling a racially diverse group of coaches is important for Vrabel.

“The thing for me that’s really critical is the diversity of ideas, of backgrounds, of race, allows us to make sure that every one of the 90 players that we have or 91 players that we’ll take to camp doesn’t fall through any crack,” Vrabel explained. “That if they need something, if they need some extra teaching, if they need something off the field, whoever it is, that one of those players doesn’t fall through the cracks. That’s really important to me.

“We want the best coaches and want the best people, but the diversity of ideas, backgrounds and race is critical because we’re getting players from everywhere across the country, and even we’ll add an international player as well.”

Setting up the week ahead

The Patriots will continue to work on their plan for free agency as the legal tampering window opens on Monday, March 9. In that process, the team will also stay in discussion with their internal free agents and make some potential difficult decisions about players already on the roster.