New England

Patriots

He won’t participate in OTAs, and Jacas has yet to sign his rookie contract. We’ll get additional details as they emerge. There’s probably nothing immediately pressing about this news, but given how important it is for rookies to state their cases for playing time early, Jacas is probably at a disadvantage for getting early snaps in New England’s edge rusher room.

The Patriots traded up with the Bills to select Lomu in hopes of shoring up an offensive line that allowed 48 sacks on its quarterbacks last season. Lomu did not allow a sack on 769 pass-blocking snaps while lined up at left tackle during his career, and allowed only 25 pressures on 808 pass-blocking snaps overall, per PFF. Despite being viewed by some as a raw talent, Lomu was one of the most athletic offensive linemen in this year’s draft, and figures to eventually work his way into one of the starting tackle spots this season.

Smart. Henderson was viewed as a potential passing game contributor as a rookie last year, but veteran RB Rhamondre Stevenson continued to lead the way on passing downs throughout the year. Over the course of the playoffs, Stevenson out-snapped Henderson 54-to-6 on third down and 20-to-17 in the two-minute drill. If Henderson has meaningfully improved pass protection and receiving, he could challenge Stevenson for that role in training camp. Henderson adds that after being tested “physically and mentally” by playing through consecutive extended seasons, at Ohio State and with the Patriots, he has been “refreshed as a full participant in the team’s voluntary offseason program.”

ESPN’s Mike Reiss spoke with Brown this week after the Patriots placed TE Julian Hill (knee) on season-ending injured reserve. Brown complimented Raridon’s long speed, athleticism and acceleration, while noting that he has “pretty good ball skills.” Brown believes that there is “so much more to kind of be captured from his college tape.” Raridon has been a dynasty darling in rookie drafts thus far. Hill’s injury could allow Raridon to compete for the TE2 role this season and potentially contribute to the Patriots’ offense down the stretch. He is worth keeping an eye on this summer.

Boutte wouldn’t seem to have a real role with the Patriots after they acquired A.J. Brown on June 1 — one could argue the most surprising thing about that deal going down is the fact that Boutte wasn’t involved in it. Boutte is reportedly available in a trade, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported last week that the Patriots have received interest. It’s in Boutte’s financial best interests to show up.

Over the course of his career, Brown has openly discussed the maintenance his knees require. He underwent cleanup procedures in both knees in 2021. Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf recently acknowledged that Brown has managed a degenerative knee condition in one of his knees since entering the league in 2019. Despite receiving treatment regularly, Brown has been a 1,000-yard receiver in six of his seven NFL seasons. We expect him to continue playing at a high level, but he could fall into the WR1/2 range this summer. Regardless, he is the Patriots’ clear-cut WR1.

Boutte remains away from the team and is interested in being traded, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 24-year-old former sixth-round pick is in the last year of his contract and with the Patriots adding A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason, the writing is on the wall. Graziano mentions the Commanders and Raiders as teams that could be looking for receiver help.

McLane added that he thinks that’s why Brown’s value on the market wasn’t “what you thought it would be.” Brown held his press conference with the Patriots today and said “I know this isn’t heaven. But it’s close to it.” We don’t think this report holds any real impact on Brown’s 2026 status, but it’s worth considering for dynasty leaguers and keeper leagues as Brown enters his age-29 season.

Hill suffered a “devastating, awful” (Mike Vrabel’s words) knee injury in OTAs. He had just signed a three-year contract, and his absence will likely have the Patriots relying more on Reggie Gilliam as a blocker while elevating the snap count of third-round draft pick Eli Raridon.

The Eagles are also receiving a 2027 fifth-round pick from the Patriots in exchange for Brown. After spending months waiting for this trade to become official, the two sides finalized things shortly after the post-June 1 deadline took effect on Monday, sending Brown to the Patriots and giving Drake Maye an elite WR1 to pair with Romeo Doubs and company. Brown grew increasingly frustrated with his role in Philly’s run-heavy offense last season, which made him a likely trade candidate this offseason if the team could find a suitor. With Stefon Diggs no longer in Foxborough and Maye ascending the ranks of NFL quarterbacks, pairing Brown with Maye for the foreseeable future seemed like a no-brainer for the Patriots, who were able to avoid dealing their 2027 first-round pick. Brown will turn 29 this offseason, but has totaled 1,000-plus yards in each of his four seasons with the Eagles, helping them to their second Super Bowl title in 2024. He’ll profile as a fringe WR1/WR2 in fantasy leagues and should see a nice increase in targets next season.