The Patriots’ 2026 NFL Draft picks are coming to town for rookie minicamp this weekend.
Before we get to see Caleb Lomu and the rest of the rookies in practice, let’s answer your burning questions in the latest installment of our Patriots mailbag.
@jSmooov33: Once AJ gets here post June 1, does that automatically mean Boutte is gone? Is there a world where both are on the roster come September? Thanks Doug, love your work.
I believe there’s a world in which A.J. Brown and Kayshon Boutte are on the roster together.
I know many assume that the Patriots will trade Boutte as part of a package for Brown, but is there room for him on the Eagles’ roster? Even if so, how highly would they value him?
The Eagles have DeVonta Smith taking up one starting spot. They traded up to select Makai Lemon in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and added Marquise Brown, Elijah Moore and Dontayvion Wicks this offseason. They also have Darius Cooper, Brittain Covey, Danny Gray, Quez Watkins and Johnny Wilson on their roster.
Assuming Brown is dealt, it appears Smith, Lemon and Wicks, whom the Eagles signed to a one-year, $12.5 million contract extension after trading fifth- and sixth-round picks to the Packers for, are locked in as starters.
So, perhaps the Eagles could acquire Boutte as a fourth receiver, but they also have Dallas Goedert and Eli Stowers at tight end and Saquon Barkley at running back.
If Brown gets added into the Patriots’ mix, then Boutte is certainly still in the conversation for a starting spot. Brown and Romeo Doubs would take up two of those roles, and then Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism would compete for the third.
Brown, Doubs and Boutte can all play in the slot.
@ahcoffin: How much is too much to give up for AJ Brown?
I would be hesitant to give up more than a first-round pick.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said he believes a 2028 first-round pick would get it done. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McClane believes it will be a first-round pick and either a second- or third-round pick.
If I’m the Patriots, I’d prefer to deal a conditional first-round pick and other compensation, whether it’s a player or a mid-round pick, for Brown.
@JoSpence22: I think the Patriots missed the boat on filling in at the linebacker position. Spillane is mediocre and Elliss shouldn’t be starting. Anyone out there that they can sign much like the Giants just did to fill in their defensive tackle deficiency?
I respectfully disagree about Robert Spillane. The Patriots’ defense was very good when he was healthy and on the field last season for a reason.
I am surprised the Patriots didn’t do more to bring in competition for Christian Elliss, and that they didn’t either re-sign Jack Gibbens or bring in more dependable depth.
Ultimately, they signed K.J. Britt in free agency, drafted Namdi Obiazor, signed Khalil Jacobs as an undrafted free agent and still have Chad Muma, Amari Gainer and Otis Reese from last season.
I’d check in on former Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke. Matt Milano, Elandon Roberts and Jerome Baker are other veteran linebackers still available.
@ThatDudeD0M: Hi Doug, as always hope everything is good with you and yours. I like many other patriots fans are doing a lot of wondering following yesterdays news involving Stefon Diggs. 1. What is the likelihood the Patriots bring him back? 2. What are the odds the Patriots bring BOTH Stefon Diggs and AJ Brown in??
Thank you!
1. It feels slim, even after Stefon Diggs was found not guilty on assault and strangulation charges. Patriots executive vice president of player personel Eliot Wolf said in March that he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of re-signing Diggs. I think it makes more sense for Diggs to go elsewhere now that his legal situation is cleared up.
2. The odds of the Patriots trading for Brown and signing Diggs are even slimmer. That would be a lot of money dedicated to the wide receiver position between Brown, Diggs and Doubs.
@MojoCaster: Where does the wind come from?
The Patriots’ upper practice field at Gillette Stadium. It’s the windiest place on earth.
@jordsmith897561: Do you think there is any chance at all, we trade Onwenu (clear large cap hit and get some capital for next year) & sign Bitonio, Zeitler, Becton, etc.. as a 1 year stop gap then revisit the position next draft? FWIW, I personally think we should just extend him and move forward!
I think the most likely outcome is that Mike Onwenu plays out the year and then is probably not retained after the season.
Onwenu is a great player, but he’s not the best fit for what the Patriots have been looking for on the offensive line over the last three years when Wolf took over as EVP.
Alijah Vera-Tucker, Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Caleb Lomu and Dametrious Crownover are all great athletes. Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson, drafted in 2024, also tested well.
Onwenu is big and strong, but speed and agility aren’t necessarily his strong suits.
@BB_burneracount: What’s going on with the oline? Who is your starting 5 and at what positions. I think we should start Lamu but do we replace Campbell and move him to guard?
My starting five would be Campbell at left tackle, Vera-Tucker at left guard, Wilson at center, Onwenu at right guard and Morgan Moses at right tackle with Lomu as a super sub/jumbo tight end.
The Patriots have made it very clear Campbell is their left tackle. But if the best starting five at some point means playing Lomu at left tackle, Campbell at left guard and Vera-Tucker at right guard, then I’m not necessarily worried about the optics of moving a No. 4 overall pick.
