Dream Target? Patriots Insider Makes Shocking Offseason Declaration

The New England Patriots could go in a number of different directions this offseason.

They hold the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. They have a ton of salary cap space. And they’re clearly motivated to make major changes after going 8-26 over the last two seasons, with Mike Vrabel’s hiring as head coach being the first significant domino.

New England has so many holes on both sides of the ball, though, that it’s difficult to project how exactly the Patriots will improve their roster. Do they first address the offensive line? Will they prioritize adding a dynamic pass catcher? Or could they instead focus on infusing defensive talent after unexpected regression in 2024?

Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi recently was questioned on “WEEI Afternoons” with Andy Hart, Nick Stevens and Ted Johnson about who the Patriots should target.

“Who do you love? If I said, ‘Mike Giardi, you have like ‘I Dream Of Jeannie,’ you can wiggle your nose and your ears, and you can make one single player a New England Patriot — any player, who is either going to be a free agent, a trade option or a draft prospect — who would that player be,” Hart asked.

Giardi’s response was rather shocking.

“This may surprise you,” Giardi said. “Josh Simmons, offensive lineman (from) Ohio State.”

That’s right. Giardi could’ve picked any player. Which includes free agents like Tee Higgins and Ronnie Stanley, trade targets like Myles Garrett and Cooper Kupp, and draft prospects like Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter. But the Patriots insider chose Simmons, an offensive tackle who suffered a season-ending knee injury last October.

“He is, of all the guys we talk about — especially when you talk about the Patriots needing an offensive lineman — he probably would have been a top-10 pick if not for the knee exploding on him. It was a non-contact thing,” Giardi said. “And I’m starting to wonder about this upcoming week in Indianapolis (for the NFL Scouting Combine), the medical re-checks, and this guy — who most people still think is a first-round pick — if all of a sudden maybe he slides up a little bit closer to 15 or so because the medical checks go well, and if I’m the Patriots, do I think to myself, ‘That’s a real left tackle.’ We’re not talking about Will Campbell may not be. We’re not talking about Kelvin Banks may or may not be. We’re talking about, ‘This dude’s a left tackle.’ So, I’m starting to get intrigued by Josh Simmons.”

Hart, seemingly stunned by Giardi’s answer, made sure to clarify the question. But the clarification did little to dissuade Giardi, who likes Simmons’ fit with New England for several reasons.

“100 percent,” Giardi said. ” … I’m tired of watching a really bad offensive line. I think this kid can be a stud. You just, the medicals have got to be good. But he is someone in the last, let’s say, 96 hours that I’ve become quite intrigued with.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. earlier this week projected the Patriots to select LSU tackle Will Campbell with the No. 4 pick. He projected Simmons to land with the Chicago Bears at No. 10 overall.

So, perhaps there’s an opportunity for New England to trade back, acquire additional assets and land a future O-line stalwart in Simmons. After all, Vrabel has ties to Ohio State and ultimately could be sold on the 22-year-old’s upside after doing his homework.

“For a while, I’ve been sort of toying with the idea, like, ‘Yeah, you want to go back maybe a little bit, but not too far back (in the NFL draft),’ ” Giardi said. “And now, again, I’m just so intrigued by this player — by his movement skills, by what I’ve heard about him talking to people affiliated with the program — and it’s like, ‘Hmm, we know somebody that has good ties to Ohio State.’ I’m sure (Vrabel’s) made phone calls. I wonder if they’re having some of the same conversations and like, ‘What can you get if you move back into the 11, 12, 13 range? What’s the bonus you get for making that trade and then being able to get a potential left tackle?’ “

Would this be a shocking result? Not exactly. It’s just fascinating to see someone point to Simmons as a dream target with the Patriots needing to overhaul their roster around franchise quarterback Drake Maye.