Patriots mailbag: What are the team’s most pressing draft needs, and is Zak Kuhr a head coach in the making?
The Patriots added an impressive blocker in Julian Hill, and a few other second-tier possibilities exist in free agency. There’s one game-changer in this year’s draft as a pass-catching tight end, Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, and a handful of talented and willing blockers who are probably Day 2 or Day 3 candidates such as Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers and Georgia’s Oscar Delp. Bottom line? They’ll add to tight end this offseason.
Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez is the best coverage linebacker in this year’s draft, and someone who could be available as an early Day 2 pick. After talking with him at the combine last month, I’m convinced he’d be an excellent fit in Foxborough.
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Is Lake McRee out of USC a possibility at tight end? As an SC season ticket-holder, I watched him in person the last few years. While his measurables don’t scream “premium” tight end, his consistency, good hands, and toughness might make for a solid NFL career.
— Marc Corman, via email
I like McRee as a late-round possibility. I talked to someone at the combine about him, and the word is his injury history will scare some teams away. But he strikes me as one of those tight ends Mike Vrabel talked about who could represent value in the middle rounds. He’s a smart guy who is a willing blocker. He’s self-aware enough to know he’s not Gronk, but he does what he does really well.
In terms of becoming a head coach, how much momentum does Zak Kuhr have? Thrust into the role of defensive play-caller, 37, with experience on both sides of the ball. Didn’t have preseason/minicamps, performed well through three playoff games and the first half of the Super Bowl. Do owners only want retreads? Do coaches apply to be head coaches or wait for a phone call?
— Erik Ormberg, Bellingham
All fair points. He wasn’t part of the mix this offseason, but if the Patriots’ defense continues to ascend in the next couple of years, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him be a part of that conversation. Most teams see the natural progression of assistant to coordinator/play-caller, and then, after a couple of seasons of success, move on to head coaching possibilities.
With all the talk in the media about A.J. Brown and Mike Vrabel communicating and a potential trade of Brown to the Patriots, can the Eagles go after the Patriots for tampering?
— John Enfield, New Hampshire
No, because Vrabel has kept it on something of a surface level. He’s discussed the time they had together in Tennessee, and their personal relationship. The key has been Vrabel making sure not to talk about how Brown might fit in New England’s offense, what sort of impact he could have on the roster, etc.
Two questions: Despite some highlight plays, TreVeyon Henderson did not prove himself to be a reliable second running back. What is his trade value? And will Ernie Adams win more games at Andover this season than Bill Belichick at UNC?
— Charles Perkins, Enfield, N.H.
One, there’s no way I’m trading Henderson. A running back on a rookie deal who rushed for almost 1,000 yards in his first year is a valuable commodity. I give him a pass for his late-season production issues because he had played nearly 40 games in almost 18 months dating to his last year at Ohio State. Understandable that he’d hit a wall. And I’m going to go with Belichick, just because they play more games in college. But it’ll be close.
What are the top three draft needs and who specifically should New England draft to fill them?
— Brian Douglas, Vero Beach, Fla.
It all depends on whether they retain No. 31 overall, or if they package the pick as part of a trade for Brown. If they hold on to it, there are a few possibilities at the end of the first round at three positions of need:
Georgia’s Monroe Freeling is a smart and versatile offensive lineman who can play both tackle spots. Clemson’s Blake Miller is also a possibility at right tackle at the end of the first round.
There are two edge rushers who jump off the board for me, Miami’s Akheem Mesidor and Missouri’s Zion Young. Both had impressive college totals and both are expected to be taken between 25th and 40th overall. Cashius Howell of Texas A&M would make sense here, as well.
And with Romeo Doubs in the fold, I’d go with a tight end. Sadiq is the only legit first-round talent on the board, but prospects such as Delp, Sowers, McRee, and North Carolina State’s Justin Joly could be mid- to late-round possibilities that would appeal to New England. If they do want to go wide receiver, Indiana’s Omar Cooper would be a nice add.
Some questions have been edited for length or clarity.
Christopher Price can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.
