Official Free Agency 2018

[maineman209]

So knowing BBs strategy he will target teams with new coaching staffs.

These are the teams who are most likely to purge their rosters of players who don't fit the new schemes/playbook, thereby unwittingly turning loose players who the Pats may find valuable.

 

[GorBelSer]

Fairley was a stud couple of years back, maybe he could fit in here. Amerson was awful every time I watched the Raiders.

 

[Joey007]

Well we just lost a Super Bowl. If history is any indication, I expect anytime here that we will sign another star CFL player that will get our hopes super high, only to never play a snap for us.

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

Fairley may never play again to Medical issues.
Amerson was the worst rated defensive back in the NFL last year.
How much of that was injury related hard to say.

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

Priority in free agency is resigning Dion Lewis.
The other Free agents are all replaceable.
I'd like to see Solder back but not at top money.
I'd roll the dice with Cannon and Flemming.

 

[NG Pats Fan]

Demarcus Lawrence is a no brainer if he hits the free agent market. I doubt Dallas will let him go though.

We chose dominque Easley 2 spots ahead of him in the draft....sigh

 

[TriplecHamp]

We're fine at receiver but if we want to spend even one nickel on bringing someone in, it needs to be Landry. Eiffert could be an elite second TE if he can find a way to stay on the field here.

Defensively, Sheldon Richardson if they feel he's a bit more mature than a year ago this time. Not sure if thats really possible though

 

[NG Pats Fan]

How about a free agent defensive starter whose better than Elandon Roberts and Jordan Richards....shouldn’t be too hard

 

[ashley]

How about a free agent defensive starter whose better than Elandon Roberts and Jordan Richards....shouldn’t be too hard

For that, you should be able to go down to the local flag football league and find your man

 

[maineman209]

So, without cutting anyone or any restructuring, they have 17 million?

Maybe offload a few guys and get 25 mill free, go after like three free agents on defense. Wonder if that’s doable

I'm much more inclined to trust the accuracy and completeness of Miguel and the info on overthecap.com than Spotrac.

Miguel has the Pats at $13.1M currently, with the potential to add (net) ...
~ $6.2M from cutting Branch, Harris & McClellin
~ $5.7M from cutting Bennett
~ $4.5M from cutting Allen (though this would create a major hole to fill at TE)

That would get the Pats up to just under $30M in cap space, but with Solder, Lewis, Burkhead, Waddle, Fleming, Amendola, M. Flowers, Bademosi, Ebner and Slater as in-house UFA still to be re-signed.

Furthermore, Gost, Ryan Allen, Hogan, Chung, Cooks, Shaq Mason and Trey Flowers are all UFA in 2019. Early extensions for at least some of these guys may be desirable. Such extensions may either increase or decrease their 2018 cap hit.

They could add a few more million in cap space by extending/re-structuring Brady and (perhaps) McCourty. After that, though, it's merely chipping around the edges with saving $500k here and $1M there while creating even more roster holes to be filled.

A major "outside UFA" signing seems highly unlikely this year.

 

[maineman209]

How about a free agent defensive starter whose better than Elandon Roberts and Jordan Richards....shouldn’t be too hard

Do you have someone specific in mind?

 

[Sciz]

London Fletcher is predicting David Amerson to sign with the Patriots, which might not be a complete shot in the dark considering that Fletcher played in the NFL with Amerson and in college with Caserio. Probably wouldn’t be a significant investment.

 

[GorBelSer]

London Fletcher is predicting David Amerson to sign with the Patriots, which might not be a complete shot in the dark considering that Fletcher played in the NFL with Amerson and in college with Caserio. Probably wouldn’t be a significant investment.

And then we pair him up with Bradley Fletcher, giving Brady a shot to reach 5000 yards before bye week.

 

[JMC00]

This might be controversial but I'd try to trade Cooks. I like him, I just don't think he's a game changer.

Guy abused the supposed "best" secondary in the AFCC and half that game Gronk was out.


But yes get rid of the best deep threat in the league the last 2 years who will be better next year with the returns of Edelman and Mitchell

Would have had about 150-200 yards in the SB if he didn't get taken out by a helmet to helmet hit

 

[JMC00]

dbl post

 

[upstater1]

Priority in free agency is resigning Dion Lewis.
The other Free agents are all replaceable.
I'd like to see Solder back but not at top money.
I'd roll the dice with Cannon and Flemming.

Solder played great second half of the year, and look at what he did in the playoffs. I suspect he is going to get just under top LT money. Open the bank vaults.

 

[patsinthesnow]

This team has next to no cap for any significant outside FAs. After we make obvious cuts to Branch, Harris & Bennett or Allen; we will be at around $25 million in cap. $15 million of that has to go to Solder & the NFL Draft class.

Demarcus Lawrence would get upwards of $18 million a year if he reaches the open market. No chance.

Our best FA bet is if/when the Seahawks release Sherman. His age + achilles injury will make him affordable & by all accounts he loves our players/culture. He can’t wait to get out of Pete Carroll’s happy fun house. He’ll be 100% by midseason & Rodney Harrison 2.0 here.

Besides that, its up to bargain signings, the draft & returning players from IR to improve our team.

 

[FrodoBagginz]

Free agency is not really going to solve our D woes. Maybe a trade or more can help a bit. We have to get lucky in this next draft and hopefully hit some starters.

We draft near last yet again. Long term success has disadvantages, as we saw those disadvantages come out in full force on Sunday. Tom Brady has managed to hide many of the Pats faults for some years, but he can only do so much.

Thankfully we have some returning from IR like Hightower so not all is bad. Just hope we hit some big ones in the draft with what we have.

 

[Mr.Bandwagon]

Can we sign JH again?I think he can still be a good contributor..

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

I have a feeling they move on from Solder