A.J. Brown is officially a Patriot as the team has also now wrapped up OTAs. Next on the calendar: mandatory minicamp on June 9-11 before the team breaks until training camp later this summer.
So, let’s get into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
Many analysts have focused a lot on Brown’s degenerative knee condition. There seems to be an implied link between that and his less explosive year last year. Less analyzed are the impact of his hamstring issues on his ability to be explosive last year. How
do you parse the impact of these two physical issues on what was clearly a less explosive player last year? – MK9
Brown is coming off a season in which he posted career lows in both yards per route run (1.96) and yards after catch per reception (3.3). The latter number improved slightly during the second half of the season after he returned from a hamstring injury that lingered early in the year. There is also an argument to be made that the decline was influenced by Brown’s usage and effort level as frustration mounted throughout the season.
Last season, Brown saw plenty of press coverage as he set a career high with 87.6% of his routes coming from the outside. Meanwhile, 47.7% of his targets came on either hitch routes or go routes. Neither route is designed to generate significant production after the catch.
That should change in New England with Drake Maye and Josh McDaniels. Brown will still be a premier outside receiver capable of beating man coverage and winning down the field, but McDaniels is expected to move him around the formation — including into the slot — to create favorable matchups. And unlike Philadelphia, a Maye-led offense will target the middle of the field more frequently and feature a heavier play-action element, two areas where Brown’s usage has declined in recent years.
In the end, there is risk that Brown is declining because of his degenerative knee condition and general wear and tear. But a more bought-in Brown, running more routes from the slot and over the middle of the field, could see a resurgence in production — similar to the jump he experienced from his final season in Tennessee to his first year in Philadelphia, when his yards after catch per reception increased from 3.6 to 6.1 — and potentially age more gracefully as a result.
After adding AJ Brown, what does the teams cap space look like going forward? Do they have enough space to restructure his contract, extend Christian Gonzalez and then extend Maye? – Mayepower
Cap space is not an issue for the Patriots. They currently have just under $36 million available, which gives them plenty of room to operate. The bigger consideration, as always, is cash spending.
For the second straight offseason, New England has been among the league leaders in cash expenditures and then added Brown to the mix. While that likely won’t impact any potential restructuring of Brown’s contract, it could factor into negotiations on a Christian Gonzalez extension — even though I would still predict that deal to get done.
Given that edge rusher is not exactly a strength for the Pats right now, what are your thoughts on trading Boutte to the Giants for Thibodeaux? Specifically, (a) do you like the idea?, and (b) do you think it’s realistic? (It doesn’t seem like the G-Men value Thibodeaux the way they initially did.) – BriGuy301
The Boutte-for-Thibodeaux swap makes plenty of sense on paper. The Patriots clearly need another pass rusher, and Thibodeaux fits their profile and is a player they have ties to in the front office. Meanwhile, the Giants have resorted to signing Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster in the big 2026 to try and help their wide receiver room.
The one potential issue for the Patriots, however, is the money. With the aforementioned cash they have already spent this offseason, New England may be hesitant to absorb Thibodeaux’s nearly $15 million fully guaranteed salary on his fifth-year option.
Boutte for picks next year or for a 2nd string TE/LB?
If there is a player that becomes available at one of those positions and the team is interested in Boutte, I’m sure the Patriots would explore a move. For now, I’d predict Boutte just goes for a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick in either 2027 or 2028.
Is the door officially closed on Stefon Diggs coming back to the Patriots? – mathblaster97
Eliot Wolf does not like to close doors, but I still don’t see a reunion happening. The Patriots paid plenty of money and draft capital to acquire A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs and the rest of the wide receiver room is already crowded, which will leave a rotation in the third receiver role.
With the injury to Julian Hill do you think the Pats might carry 7 WR’s and 2 TE’s this year? As I recall Dametrious Crownover started as a TE and couldn’t he be the 3rd TE if necessary and allow them to carry the 7 decent to very good WR’s they have on their 53? I don’t see any other worthy TE available now.
What free agent would be the best Julien Hill replacement? – sjamesbossports
While I remain high on Eli Raridon’s long-term outlook, one of the benefits of having Julian Hill on the roster was that the rookie could be eased into action. Tight end is a position that typically takes longer to develop in the NFL, so it may be premature to pencil the third-round pick in as the top backup.
Based on the current depth chart, however, there is not an obvious answer ahead of him. UDFA Tanner Arkin is strong at the point of attack like Hill, but should not be expected to make much of an impact as a pass catcher. It has also been a slow spring for C.J. Dippre, while Jack Westover worked as the top tight end behind Hunter Henry during OTA practices this past week.
Maybe they do pivot back to more jumbo offensive line looks, but I would still explore an outside addition for a reliable third tight end. A veteran such as Will Dissly or old friend Pharaoh Brown to provide a more experienced option to allow Raridon to continue developing at his own pace.
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.
