Half way thru 2014 have our priorities changed?

[patsfaninpa]

Priorities should be dictated by which unrestricted free agents are not retained by the New England Patriots:

Cannon
Connolly
Ridley
Vereen
Bolden (RFA)
Slater
Aiken
Gostkowski
Branch
Ayers
Casillas
White
Chung
McCourty

Personally, I would not draft a running back earlier than the third round.

I think the running game is the weakest part of our squad when healthy. That's my priority. I'd like to rely a little less on Tom Brady in his last few years. I have G and RB as our top two priorities. I know pass-rusher is a huge need too. But, I think Collins or Hightower might be able to replace Ninko when he slips or hangs em up. After G and RB, I'd like to get two lb's. One who is that hybrid olb/de and another who can be a solid starter in case of injury.

 

[ATippett56]

Priorities should be dictated by which unrestricted free agents are not retained by the New England Patriots:

Cannon
Connolly
Ridley
Vereen
Bolden (RFA)
Slater
Aiken
Gostkowski
Branch
Ayers
Casillas
White
Chung
McCourty

Personally, I would not draft a running back earlier than the third round.

Unrestricted free agent priorities:

McCourty
Vereen
Slater (special teams captain)
Gostkowski

Veteran minimum contracts:

Aiken
White

 

[ATippett56]

2015 NFL Draft Priorities - Offense

If Cannon, Connolly, Ridley, Vereen depart via free agency:

Offensive Guard
Running Back
Offensive Tackle

2015 NFL Draft Priorities - Defense

If Ayers, Branch, Chung depart via free agency:

Defensive End
Strong Safety
Inside Linebacker
Defensive Tackle

 

[BobDigital]

Priorities should be dictated by which unrestricted free agents are not retained by the New England Patriots:

Cannon
Connolly
Ridley
Vereen
Bolden (RFA)
Slater
Aiken
Gostkowski
Branch
Ayers
Casillas
White
Chung
McCourty

Personally, I would not draft a running back earlier than the third round.

To me i order them like this

Must signs

McCourty
Revis
Gost (not overly expensive though)

Should sign

Chung
Vereen
Connolly
Ayers

Sign but don't extend for

Slater (I think you have enough good STers and Slater is getting older)
Ridley (if not expensive)
Cannon (good OT backup)

The rest

Casillas/Branch - Have not seen enough of
Bolden/White - take or leave

I really do hope we sign everyone in the 1st 2 tiers if possible.

 

[luuked]

Slater (I think you have enough good STers and Slater is getting older)

I disagree with that. Unless Slater will demand a big payday or wants to go, which would be either a bit uncharacteristic or pretty unlikely there is no way that we won't give Slater an appropriate extension. His presence in the lockeroom alone definitely is worth the comparatively small contract.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I disagree with that. Unless Slater will demand a big payday or wants to go, which would be either a bit uncharacteristic or pretty unlikely there is no way that we won't give Slater an appropriate extension. His presence in the lockeroom alone definitely is worth the comparatively small contract.

In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, the player that Belichick asked to address the team was Slater.

 

[ATippett56]

2015 NFL Draft Priorities (Revised) - Offense

If Cannon, Connolly, Ridley, Vereen depart via free agency:

Offensive Guard (collegiate offensive tackle conversion acceptable)
Halfback (White)
Tight End (Gronkowski, Wright, Hoomanawanui)
Offensive Center (Stork, Wendell)
Offensive Tackle (Solder, Vollmer, Fleming)
Wide Receiver (Edelman, Amendola, LaFell, Dobson, Tyms)
Fullback (Develin)
Quarterback (Brady, Garoppolo)

http://www.patriots.com/team/roster.html

http://www.patscap.com/2015patscap.html

Distribution:

QB - 2
HB - 4
FB - 1
TE - 3
WR - 5
OC - 2
OG - 3
OT - 4

Total - 24 (does not include Slater)

Comments:

Brandon Bolden will be a restricted free agent.
Ryan Wendell will be in the last year of his contract.
Jordan Devey absolutely sucks at offensive guard.
Josh Boyce still on the practice squad.

Questions:

Jonas Gray at least signed to a future's contract?
Jordan Devey's career be salvaged as a backup offensive tackle?
Josh Boyce's career be salvaged as a wide receiver?

 

[captain stone]

Priorities - on offense:
1. LG (a real Mankins replacement)
2. WR (an Aaron Dropson replacement)
3. Swing Tackle (more athletic than OT-in-name-only Cannon)
4. Power Back (but not before Day 3)

on defense:
1. Pass-Rushing DE (this & LG are priorities 1A/B & 1B/A)
2. Coverage OLB (unless this is Browner's future)
3. SS (Chung's return is a nice story, but I'd still like to see a more permanent replacement)

 

[manxman2601]

Priorities - on offense:
1. LG (a real Mankins replacement)
2. WR (an Aaron Dropson replacement)
3. Swing Tackle (more athletic than OT-in-name-only Cannon)
4. Power Back (but not before Day 3)

on defense:
1. Pass-Rushing DE (this & LG are priorities 1A/B & 1B/A)
2. Coverage OLB (unless this is Browner's future)
3. SS (Chung's return is a nice story, but I'd still like to see a more permanent replacement)

Good list. I'd be happy taking a RB as early as round two as this is such a strong crop but I find it hard to disagree with anything else on the list. Clemmings and Sambrailo are both getting ranked in the late first area and are both outstanding Mankins type guys so there's a really nice potential fit there.