The Patriots signed WR Andrew Hawkins

[convertedpatsfan]

So who gets cut?

I don't know, but we don't have to decide for months.

I think the FO is fine with having too many good players competing for jobs. There's no reason to make a decision today or this week or even this month. Let it play out, let's see how it goes.

It might end up being a nothing transaction and the first cut we make. But then it might be some long-shot UDFA corner like Malcolm Butler who barely makes the roster, buried behind Revis, Browner, Ryan, Arrington, and Dennard.

If you had to decide on the roster in May 2014, Butler probably doesn't make it.

So no need to figure it out for now, or for a while, and the competition will take care of that later on.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

Or maybe this signing is about Cyrus..

May also be about Cyrus if he can return punts/kickoffs which would make Jones further expendable.

 

[patriot1136]

stupid question, but do we keep Carr, Hollister, Lucien, etc. on the practice squad?

 

[bormio]

stupid question, but do we keep Carr, Hollister, Lucien, etc. on the practice squad?

If other teams do not snap them up.

 

[n6249c]

This is a sneaky nice signing. I respect that he turned down more money and better security for a chance to compete in an elite organization.

From Reiss:

Hawkins added that he passed up on deals that "were probably double the compensation" with other teams.

Some other good quotes in that piece too.
Patriots add Hawkins to loaded receiver corps

 

[supafly]

Regardless of how strong you view his odds there is no question that his signing makes this him or amendola.

I couldn't imagine Edelman, Cooks, Hogan, or Mitchell getting cut, so I think your statement would be quite accurate. I just think he'll have his work cut out for him, that's all.

 

[Love The Drake]

He's there if one of the receivers go down during preseason.
Carr is destined for practice squad barring a Cruz like preseason or rash of injuries.
Lucien is practice squad or cut.
DeAndrew White is interesting for practice squad or next season.
Highly doubtful BB trades Brady's BFF even in the last year of his contract.
I'm sure Edelman would like more scratch but I would be shocked if he doesn't retire a lifelong Patriot.

 

[Bill Lee]

With no more 75 man cut down date, there's gonna be a lot of WR competition all the way through training camp.

WR (10)
Julian Edelman - WR
Danny Amendola - WR
Chris Hogan - WR
Brandin Cooks - WR - Acquired via Trade w/NO - 3/11
Malcolm Mitchell - WR
Devin Lucien - WR
Cody Hollister - WR - UDFA - 5/4
Austin Carr - WR - UDFA - 5/4
Devin Street - WR - Claimed off waivers - 5/3
DeAndrew White - WR - Signed on 5/22​

As noted above, Harkins bumped Street off the roster....

 

[manxman2601]

Another of those players BB wants to coach presumably. This is his self-indulgent year.

 

[luuked]

If I am amendola I am worried.

Amendola is safe and unless injured on the 53. His contract guarantees that.

 

[moosekill]

Amendola is safe and unless injured on the 53. His contract guarantees that.

I disagree. I think there are two offensive players safe on this team, Tom Brady and Gronk. All others are playing for their jobs and will be cut/traded if they are outplayed in the preseason.

 

[moosekill]

I guess I would add Cooks to that list.

 

[BTTA]

I disagree. I think there are two offensive players safe on this team, Tom Brady and Gronk. All others are playing for their jobs and will be cut/traded if they are outplayed in the preseason.

I think that's an exaggeration but the general point is valid. The Pats sign players to create competition and depth in camp. They don't sign players with a prediction of who is going to win the job. They set up as many possible positive outcomes as possible and then let the players decide on the field.

This young man is an incredibly impressive person. I hope he makes the team because he'll be so fun to root for. You can see him trying to sneak into the coaches planning meetings.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Underrated move IMO

 

[Froob]

Hope this doesn't end up like 2013 where we thought we had tons of depth but, turned out we had none lol. We seem really set.

 

[Nunchucks]

Training camp is long and physical. These things have a way of working themselves out. If nothing else, the Patriots get to teach players the offense and have options during the season if somebody gets hurt. I love this signing.

 

[Tony2046]

Underrated move IMO

I'd call a good insurance move.

I agree with those that say BB brought him in as competition and will just take the wait and see approach. See how he does as a KR/PR and in the slot.

 

[Tony2046]

Or maybe this signing is about Cyrus..

Just thinking out loud.

An intelligent guy who seems to enjoy studying the game. Took less money to come here and to compete for a spot on a loaded roster. This is great signing whether it's for depth or to raise the camp competition.

Would he improve the depth chart? Slot + KR/PR? If so who would they let go to add him?

DJ Foster/ Lewis - The Pats have Lewis, White, Burkhead and Gillislee at RB. Lewis has injury concerns and Foster is more of a Lewis type RB so one may make the other redundant. Could they cut a RB to make room?

Cyrus Jones - Had one of the worst rookie auditions I can remember seeing but he's a talented kid who apparently had the yips. How long will BB deal with a confidence issue? I guess that depends on the player. My guess is they'll be patient with C. Jones and AH may be the right guy to help CJ build his confidence in camp.

I do not see this as an Edelman or Amendola replacement. It may be an insurance move for those two but not a replacement move. That doesn't make any sense to me. Speed is nice but clutch is twice as good and to be clutch you have to be on the same page as Brady during the most crucial moments during a game and both Jules and DA have done that time and time again.

I'm still a complete amateur when it comes to roster moves between the practice squad and the roster etc. So take my opinion with that in mind.

 

[luuked]

I disagree. I think there are two offensive players safe on this team, Tom Brady and Gronk. All others are playing for their jobs and will be cut/traded if they are outplayed in the preseason.

Sure, if you wanna ignore everything we know about how BB and Caserio historically manage cuts in relation to contracts..

 

[luuked]

I'd call a good insurance move.

I agree with those that say BB brought him in as competition and will just take the wait and see approach. See how he does as a KR/PR and in the slot.

Bingo. It's a pure depth signing for the good old "wait and see" approach to camp. If everyone stays healthy there won't be any space for Hawkins on the 53.

Lets also not forget that we didn't know about Amendola's surgery until the middle of the summer last year so who knows if someone had a procedure done and might be projected to start on PUP.