The latest edition of our Patriots mailbag answers questions about the wide receiver room, draft class, and more.
The NFL Draft is officially in the rearview as the New England Patriots earned strong remarks after adding 11 players. Now, the work returns to Gillette Stadium as the offseason program continues and OTAs are in the distant future.
So, let’s talk about it all and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag.
What about a trade for a WR:
- 23 years old next month
- 2024: 43 receptions/589 yards
- Two years left on rookie deal
-
$2.25 million over two years
A WR-needy team should jump on that.
That’s Kayshon Boutte. So wouldn’t that make him the most valuable trade asset in the WR room (and likeliest to be gone by Week 1)? – Flutie_Should_Have_Started_12-11-88
The Patriots roster currently has 12 wide receivers, so some significant roster movement will take place over the next few months. From this point of view, a healthy Stefon Diggs, who is not expected to be on the field this spring, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Pop Douglas enter the offseason program atop the depth chart. That leaves Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and Efton Chism as the top projected options to fight over one or potentially two spots.
While Boutte was one of the more productive receivers on last year’s roster, a change in coaching staffs and scheme may leave better fits elsewhere — such as Kendrick Bourne, who had a career-year in 2021 with Josh McDaniels, or Ja’Lynn Polk, who was still a second-round pick last season. Multiple reports before the NFL Draft that Boutte could be on the move also don’t project well for his future in Foxboro.
Boutte could profile as a low-volume X-receiver in Josh McDaniels’ offense, but the production last year at 23 years old would likely lead to him having the most trade value of the bubble players. One team that would make plenty of sense as a potential partner for Boutte or any receiver: the Dallas Cowboys.
How about something simple…who was your favorite udfa signing? And which one, if different from your favorite, has the best chance of making the roster? – PatsHowYouDoIt
The Patriots have a really fun and intriguing UDFA class — especially on the offensive side of the ball. Speaking of receiver,
my favorite is Eastern Washington’s Efton Chism III. Chism got on many people’s radar after an awesome week at the Shrine Bowl (where he was a late addition). He is everything you’d expect in a typical Josh McDaniels slot receiver.
#Patriots UDFA Efton Chism going 1-on-1 at the Shrine Bowl pic.twitter.com/yV4nlFyySE
— Brian Hines (@iambrianhines) April 29, 2025
As for the one with the best chance to make the roster, Brock Lampe is at the top of the list as he’s at the top of the fullback depth chart by default.
I’d also take a look at the tight ends. C.J. Dippre had a case to be drafted and would be a good complement to Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper due to his in-line blocking ability. Fellow tight end Gee Scott, a former four-star wide receiver recruit, also has potential as a pass catching threat.
With the League’s shift to small, fast LB do you see McDaniels going with as jumbo a FB as he can get to create mismatches? Also, how tall can a FB be, before the height is a problem? I ask because
- CJ Dippre, 6’5” 257-pounds, 1.56 10-yard split, 32 reps bench press and known for open-field blocking prowess seems the most physically talented candidate for FB, and maybe the most legit FB/TE hybrid.
- If someone else makes more sense, who and why? – WannaBePatsGM
From what we’ve seen and know about Josh McDaniels, he won’t be shy to try and create mismatches. While the assumption here (especially after the TreVeyon Henderson selection) is that they will be a primary shotgun team to make Maye comfortable, I would definitely expect some power formations with a fullback and Rhamondre.
An average fullback height is 6-foot-1, so Dippre would definitely be on the taller side of things. But as we discussed above he profiles as their best in-line blocker in those potential heavy looks, while Lampe is atop the fullback depth chart.
Do you think the reason that the Patriots picked Craig Woodson in the 4th Round… Is because they expect him to become their starting Free Safety they haven’t had since Devin McCourty?
They will then move Kyle Dugger back to Strong Safety and release Jabrill Peppers since he is the last remaining Captain from the previous regime. They also extended Dugger and he’s younger than Peppers, I believe. This would explain why Mike Vrabel said LFG twice when Craig Woodson was picked and might explain him maybe reaching on him. – For Pats Sake
Watching Woodson he was impressive working in space but may be best rotating down into the box as a robber/rat — where he then shows some physicality in the run game as well. He did play split safety looks at Cal so does have the ability to play free safety, but I’d predict the Patriots continue to be multiple and rotate all their safeties over the field.
Since the Pats have brought in so many DTs (2 FAs, 1 via the draft and 3 UDFAs) do you think we should be concerned about the availability of Barmore this season? – wrw921
They did lose Davon Godchaux and Daniel Ekuale this offseason, so naturally there were to be additions — especially when a top of the market player like Milton Williams was available.
As for Barmore though, he has been participating in the offseason program. It is fair to continue to be cautious about his availability due to the seriousness of the illness, however. More time will tell.
Even though we drafted Will Campbell and Marcus Bryant, do you think there’s any possibility of still trading for Kolton Miller? Or even more so, since we didn’t draft a TE, to trade for Michael Mayer?
A 2026 2nd, 3rd and 5th for both these guys to really give more of an “all-in” push on the season would be such a killer move. – Sdpatsfan84
Considering Miller showed up to the Raiders voluntary offseason program and the team did not add a tackle in the NFL Draft until round three (where they did add two). I would still bet he stays on their roster. As for Mayer, he has stated how he did not enjoy playing in Vegas when McDaniels served as head coach. After the UDFA tight end additions that room appears set.
Can you explain to me how Armand Membou is such a better prospect than Marcus Bryant? If Membou is a better tackle, then why didn’t they have him playing left tackle at Missouri? – SoDak605PatsFan
Membou arrived to Missouri with a background at right tackle and future NFL Draft pick Javon Foster was entrenched atop the depth chart at left tackle. After two years of playing the position and Missouri adding the experienced Marcus Bryant in the portal, they ultimately decided to stick with the setup.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following @iambrianhines and @PatsPulpit as well.