The Patriots’ offseason workout program is in full swing and ramps up next week with the start of organized team activities practices.
Before the formal practices begin, let’s answer your questions in this week’s Patriots mailbag.
Patriots fans have A.J. Brown, Will Campbell and how carries will be divvied up among running backs this week.
@MasHamburguesa: Why are the Patriots giving up a future 1st round pick for AJ Brown (29, premium position, fringe top 10 at his position, unhappy) when Jon Greenard (28, premium position, fringe top 10 at his position, unhappy) went to the Eagles for two thirds?
That’s a good question. I think the most important thing to clarify, though, is that Jonathan Greenard was traded before the 2026 NFL season for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick. The most widespread speculation is that Brown will be traded before the 2026 season for a 2028 first-round pick.
The draft capital in the proposed trade for Brown is still more valuable, but maybe not by as much as you think.
The picks traded by the Eagles are worth roughly 54 points on the Rich Hill trade value chart. It’s hard to gauge how much a 2028 first-round pick is worth. Typically, a pick one year into the future is worth roughly half of what a present-day pick is worth. So, a 2027 first-round pick is worth around 82 points. A 2028 first-round pick is valued even less. If it’s valued at 40%, then that would be 76 points. If it’s valued at 1/3, then that would be 63 points.
There are other factors in play, though. Greenard wanted a new contract and had a down season in 2025. He missed time with a shoulder injury and produced just three sacks. Brown, meanwhile, generated his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season.
Edge defenders are generally valued more heavily than wide receivers, but it’s difficult to find elite players at both positions. Brown, based on his contract ($32M/year) is more highly valued than Greenard ($30M/year), though it is close.
@32BeatWriters: How do you see this backfield shaking out in terms of carries and roles? How do you project Jam Miller?
I think we’ll see it pan out similarly to last year, where Rhamondre Stevenson and TreyVeyon Henderson largely split touches.
Henderson will need to improve as a pass blocker in order for his third-down role to grow. He also needs to gain more consistency as an early-down rusher.
Stevenson was phenomenal last year after some early-season struggles. Let’s see if he can keep that up in 2026.
As for the third running back role, we’ll see who wins out between Miller, a seventh-round pick, UDFA Myles Montgomery, 2025 UDFA Lan Larison and veteran Terrell Jennings.
Miller was drafted, while Montgomery was a priority free agent. It’s at least worth noting that Montgomery actually has larger guarantees in his contract. It should be really fun to track that competition from OTAs, which start next Wednesday, all the way up through the end of the preseason.
@hsiyargos: Doug, for once and for all, do we see a position change for Will Campbell?
I will say no.
Obviously, it’s hard to predict the future. But starting right tackle Morgan Moses is 35 years old, and starting right guard Mike Onwenu is an impending free agent.
The Patriots are going to need another starting tackle sooner than later because of Moses’ age. So, if you move Campbell off of tackle, then you’re back where you started, looking for another starting tackle. It is regarded as easier to find a starting guard.
Perhaps Marcus Bryant or Dametrious Crownover impress enough that the Patriots determine that one of them could be the starting right tackle of the future, but you can’t count on that out of two late-round picks.
New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell blocks against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL game at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
@Theodiesenhaus: If Julian Edelman asked you to be on @gameswithnames, what game are you choosing to talk about?
That’s a great question. I was going to say the 2012 divisional-round win over the Texans (the letterman jacket game), because it was the first Patriots game I ever covered, but Edelman already did that game with Steven Ridley.
I think most of the best games I ever covered have been taken. Out of the ones that haven’t been covered, I think the most interesting would be the 2014 AFC Championship Game against the Colts (Deflategate kickoff) or the 2019 wild-card round loss to the Titans.
@cjshannon7: What’s Eli Raridon’s impact gonna be this season? He starts as TE 3 but already has better pass catching abilities than Hill. Could he play in the slot on two TE formations?
Rookie tight ends tend to come on slow, and Raridon was a late bloomer at Notre Dame, so I think it would be smart to set expectations low for his rookie season.
I think he begins the season as the No. 3 tight end, and it would take a lot for him to overtake Julian Hill, who signed a decent three-year, $15 million contract this offseason.
@NeilRay33: With the new batch of edge rushers we drafted, got in free agency, and ones we already got. You think Swinson has a shot to plays some games or competition to stiff?
Bradyn Swinson, a 2025 fifth-round pick, has to make the roster first. He failed to do that out of training camp last year, then later got signed off of the practice squad.
I think there’s a path for that to happen. Dre’Mont Jones, Harold Landry, Gabe Jacas and Elijah Ponder will be on the team. Then Swinson will be competing with Jesse Luketa, Quintayvious Hutchins and Xavier Holmes if the Patriots decide to keep a fifth edge defender.
I also believe the Patriots could continue adding at that position if they believe there’s a veteran free agent who could work within the system.
@Cmerc5: What position do you look at and say we still need to add to?
I just mentioned edge defender, but I would throw guard/center and linebacker into the mix, as well.
@DavidNorrish: Interesting position battles: WR TE. As a Pop believer, what’s the chance he’s not on the initial 53?
If the Patriots acquire Brown and keep Kayshon Boutte, then I see DeMario Douglas potentially competing for a roster spot with Efton Chism. If the Patriots acquire Brown and trade Boutte, then I think Douglas should be pretty safe, barring an exceptional summer from one of the undrafted wide receivers.
