2019 Patriots Free Agency

[BobDigital]

The Patriots will enter 2019 26 million dollars under the cap and with the following free agents.

Gost, Ryan, Patterson, Hogan, J. McCourty, Shelton, Dorsett, M. Brown, Waddle, Rowe, Flowers, T. Brown. RFAs are Gordon and J. Jones.

So the question is what should the Patriots do to build the best team possible in what could be Brady's final year? Here are some ideas.

The first question is who do you keep and who do you let walk?

Walk: Patterson, Hogan, Rowe, T. Brown(I don't think they can afford him).

Keep: Flowers, Ryan, Gost, Dorsett, Shelton, M. Brown, Waddle. J. McCourty. Of course you up Gordon (if he is able to play next year) and J. Jones.

So how do they do this and still makes other moves? Here's how.

#1 Deal with Devin McCourty. To me this is the big unspoken of issue heading into 2019. McCourty will be in the final year of his contract and poised to earn 13.435M. That is the 3rd most all the team.

For over the last year he has been far from the 3rd best player on the team. I don't mean to say he stinks but that salary is simply not justifiable. The Patriots IMO have 2 options. Either cut him and save 9.5M (which could probably get you a better player at this point or redo his deal. I would prefer his deal to be redone as I hate to eat dead money and McCourty stands for everything we like in a patriots as a person and leader.

To me to the key number here is 10M or less. It takes him out of the top 5 highest salaries and saves 3.425M on the cap. Anything more is the red line you can not cross. In that case it is best just to part ways and figure out how to use that 9.5M to help the team. For now I will put this at a -3.435M on the cap.

#2 Cut Dwayne Allen. He is playing about 1/3rd of the snaps this year and and getting paid about 3.9M. That means on a per snap basis he's being paid more than Rob Gronkowski. If he can't be on a field more than 1/3rd of the time then why are we paying him 4M? He has proven he can't be a double threat. If that is the case just put an offensive lineman out there. That is make him agree to less than 3M. Personally I take the cash in this case. -6.7M n the cap.

#3 Cut Clayborn - This move sucks as it forces you to eat 2M to save four. But so far in 5 guys I see little reason to pay that four. I have seen little difference between Clayborn and the other options they have (including Davis). It is best to let him walk and save the four million. Get Rivers out there and see what he can do. -4M to the cap.

The cap has now gone from 26M to 40.135M.

Time to sign some players.

Flowers - 8M
Shelton 6M
Dorsett 4M
Gost 4M
J. McCourty 3M
Brown 3M
Ryan 2M
Waddle 2M
Gordon 1M
J. Jones 1M

For 34M with 6M left over. With some more spring cleaning maybe this can be made into 8M and they can maybe sign another one of their guys like Hogan or Rowe or someone else.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Gordon 1M

He's an ERFA this year but an RFA next year. So his tender next year (assuming the Pats want to hang on to him) will probably be closer to $4M than $1M.

 

[Edelmania]

The Patriots will enter 2019 26 million dollars under the cap and with the following free agents.

Gost, Ryan, Patterson, Hogan, J. McCourty, Shelton, Dorsett, M. Brown, Waddle, Rowe, Flowers, T. Brown. RFAs are Gordon and J. Jones.

So the question is what should the Patriots do to build the best team possible in what could be Brady's final year? Here are some ideas.

The first question is who do you keep and who do you let walk?

Walk: Patterson, Hogan, Rowe, T. Brown(I don't think they can afford him).

Keep: Flowers, Ryan, Gost, Dorsett, Shelton, M. Brown, Waddle. J. McCourty. Of course you up Gordon (if he is able to play next year) and J. Jones.

So how do they do this and still makes other moves? Here's how.

#1 Deal with Devin McCourty. To me this is the big unspoken of issue heading into 2019. McCourty will be in the final year of his contract and poised to earn 13.435M. That is the 3rd most all the team.

For over the last year he has been far from the 3rd best player on the team. I don't mean to say he stinks but that salary is simply not justifiable. The Patriots IMO have 2 options. Either cut him and save 9.5M (which could probably get you a better player at this point or redo his deal. I would prefer his deal to be redone as I hate to eat dead money and McCourty stands for everything we like in a patriots as a person and leader.

To me to the key number here is 10M or less. It takes him out of the top 5 highest salaries and saves 3.425M on the cap. Anything more is the red line you can not cross. In that case it is best just to part ways and figure out how to use that 9.5M to help the team. For now I will put this at a -3.435M on the cap.

#2 Cut Dwayne Allen. He is playing about 1/3rd of the snaps this year and and getting paid about 3.9M. That means on a per snap basis he's being paid more than Rob Gronkowski. If he can't be on a field more than 1/3rd of the time then why are we paying him 4M? He has proven he can't be a double threat. If that is the case just put an offensive lineman out there. That is make him agree to less than 3M. Personally I take the cash in this case. -6.7M n the cap.

#3 Cut Clayborn - This move sucks as it forces you to eat 2M to save four. But so far in 5 guys I see little reason to pay that four. I have seen little difference between Clayborn and the other options they have (including Davis). It is best to let him walk and save the four million. Get Rivers out there and see what he can do. -4M to the cap.

The cap has now gone from 26M to 40.135M.

Time to sign some players.

Flowers - 8M
Shelton 6M
Dorsett 4M
Gost 4M
J. McCourty 3M
Brown 3M
Ryan 2M
Waddle 2M
Gordon 1M
J. Jones 1M

For 34M with 6M left over. With some more spring cleaning maybe this can be made into 8M and they can maybe sign another one of their guys like Hogan or Rowe or someone else.

Good post but you’re underestimating how much most of these players will get.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Bb has accumulated some serious draft capital this year. In my mind he is going to start retooling with draft picks and cutting some of the veterans.

The first six picks need to be:
offensive tackle and defensive tackle. Linebacker and tight. And finally, safety and a starting CB opposite Gilmore.

I think he resigns gotkowski, Patterson, Dorsett, m Brown, waddle and t Brown. None of them will break the bank.

Easy to see him keeping j Jones and Gordon.

Flowers is the pivot point of his offseason. He makes our defense better, but how does the rest of the league view him? If he walks, bb has to change his draft strategy to include an edge rusher on day 1 or 2.

The rest he let’s walk and I could easily see him escorting cannon, burkhead and allen as well.

McCourty will restructure or join them out the door.

 

[AzorianPats]

I think Flowers will cost more than 8m, and I think that’s an investment the Patriots should make.

His sack numbers might not be anything special, but he creates a lot of pressure, and he’s a monster against the run. Flowers is too valuable.

I know PFF is not a end all be all source, but to date they have Trey Flowers has their best rated edge guys.

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

Bb has accumulated some serious draft capital this year. In my mind he is going to start retooling with draft picks and cutting some of the veterans.

The first six picks need to be:
offensive tackle and defensive tackle. Linebacker and tight. And finally, safety and a starting CB opposite Gilmore.

I think he resigns gotkowski, Patterson, Dorsett, m Brown, waddle and t Brown. None of them will break the bank.

Easy to see him keeping j Jones and Gordon.

Flowers is the pivot point of his offseason. He makes our defense better, but how does the rest of the league view him? If he walks, bb has to change his draft strategy to include an edge rusher on day 1 or 2.

The rest he let’s walk and I could easily see him escorting cannon, burkhead and allen as well.

McCourty will restructure or join them out the door.

OT? They have Wynn and Cannon. They are decent or should be. They don't need OT IMO. They need DT/ED/LB/TE(2)

They have 11 picks.

 

[Snooky97]

If Allen doesn’t restructure his contract he’s gone, same with cannon in my opinion as wel.

 

[Bcc66duece]

Shelton getting 6 million, he will be lucky to find a team at all.

 

[JerseyShore99]

Top priority is Flowers, would hate to see him go

Next is Brown who is playing at a very high level, but Wynn is in house replacement

Also like to bring Hill back for cheap

From the outside I'd be interested in a WR like Crowder or even John Brown...Tate makes sense if affordable or even somehow magically Fitz (even though this O is overdue for a youth infusion)...I'll pass on Cobb at this point in his career and Jordan Matthews already didn't pan out here...Tavon Austin for pennies wouldn't be bad either...frankly rather draft WR

The TE group needs to overhauled with the only current TE that can be welcomed back being 97...Jared Cook is a solid vet option, although may be expensive...I've personally always liked Kroft from CIN...Fliers on Eifert, Willson, or Williams make sense too

On D, like I said, Flowers is the top priority but Chris Long back as depth would be welcomed (although unlikely), Cam Wake for cheap would be nice if possible although he's well over the hump

A solid DT like Logan or Hankins would be nice...wonder ow much Suh would want too...Peko a decent depth option...I'd like Brown back as depth honestly

At LB I think we're set with 54, KVN, Bentley, and Roberts, no need to bring in a vet to this group

Lastly, in the secondary, assuming J Mac is gone, a flier vet would be Claiborne and if BB wants to go all in Earl Thomas or Clinton Dix may catch his eye...also think Landon Collins would ball in our D

 

[Snooky97]

Top priority is Flowers, would hate to see him go

Next is Brown who is playing at a very high level, but Wynn is in house replacement

Also like to bring Hill back for cheap

From the outside I'd be interested in a WR like Crowder or even John Brown...Tate makes sense if affordable or even somehow magically Fitz (even though this O is overdue for a youth infusion)...I'll pass on Cobb at this point in his career and Jordan Matthews already didn't pan out here...Tavon Austin for pennies wouldn't be bad either...frankly rather draft WR

The TE group needs to overhauled with the only current TE that can be welcomed back being 97...Jared Cook is a solid vet option, although may be expensive...I've personally always liked Kroft from CIN...Fliers on Eifert, Willson, or Williams make sense too

On D, like I said, Flowers is the top priority but Chris Long back as depth would be welcomed (although unlikely), Cam Wake for cheap would be nice if possible although he's well over the hump

A solid DT like Logan or Hankins would be nice...wonder ow much Suh would want too...Peko a decent depth option...I'd like Brown back as depth honestly

At LB I think we're set with 54, KVN, Bentley, and Roberts, no need to bring in a vet to this group

Lastly, in the secondary, assuming J Mac is gone, a flier vet would be Claiborne and if BB wants to go all in Earl Thomas or Clinton Dix may catch his eye...also think Landon Collins would ball in our D

When Snacks Harrison was on the trade market I was hoping they would of gone after him - I think his cap hit was to much though

Agree with you on everything here really! Eifert just worries me with his injuries, really wanted him in this team this year but that ankle break was brutal.

I’ve said in other threads, I’m happy to see us take HT out of the LB group and play him as an edge guy as he’s brutal there, but then it would be trying to bring someone new into that group so not sure how that would work.

I’d like Landon Collins, agree he would be immense in this team. Would also bring some youth into that safety department

 

[JerseyShore99]

When Snacks Harrison was on the trade market I was hoping they would of gone after him - I think his cap hit was to much though

Agree with you on everything here really! Eifert just worries me with his injuries, really wanted him in this team this year but that ankle break was brutal.

I’ve said in other threads, I’m happy to see us take HT out of the LB group and play him as an edge guy as he’s brutal there, but then it would be trying to bring someone new into that group so not sure how that would work.

I’d like Landon Collins, agree he would be immense in this team. Would also bring some youth into that safety department

Appreciate your acknowledgement and agreed on Snacks, would have been the closest thing to Big Vince in NE, not sure why NYG dumped him and keep Jenkins if they're trying to win

Eifert for pennies couldn't hurt

Interesting topic moving DH to edge but BB has already shot that down multiple times, believe he called that stupid

Collins really would ball here but doubt we pay for him, although BB has been interested in Weddle, etc. before

 

[Snooky97]

Appreciate your acknowledgement and agreed on Snacks, would have been the closest thing to Big Vince in NE, not sure why NYG dumped him and keep Jenkins if they're trying to win

Eifert for pennies couldn't hurt

Interesting topic moving DH to edge but BB has already shot that down multiple times, believe he called that stupid

Collins really would ball here but doubt we pay for him, although BB has been interested in Weddle, etc. before

I was hoping Shelton would’ve taken on the vince role when he signed this year but he’s not done what I expected. No idea why they let him go, unreal against the run and gets enough pass rush too.

Efiert just worries me with injuries, I’d love him here, as I wanted him here this year when he went as a Free Agent but stayed at Cinci.

I just think HT could be a wrecking ball and we could get more speed in that area if we moved him to the edge, but I’m not to worried, just when we played the chargers I thought that was the best game I’ve seen from him.

I think a lot of it will depend on how contracts go this off season. I think he might be out of our price range, unless he wants to win?

 

[JerseyShore99]

I was hoping Shelton would’ve taken on the vince role when he signed this year but he’s not done what I expected. No idea why they let him go, unreal against the run and gets enough pass rush too.

Efiert just worries me with injuries, I’d love him here, as I wanted him here this year when he went as a Free Agent but stayed at Cinci.

I just think HT could be a wrecking ball and we could get more speed in that area if we moved him to the edge, but I’m not to worried, just when we played the chargers I thought that was the best game I’ve seen from him.

I think a lot of it will depend on how contracts go this off season. I think he might be out of our price range, unless he wants to win?

I whiffed on Shelton too, flashed greatness at times in CLE and just hasn't been anything special here...would like Brown back for cheap and in a lesser role

Don't see Collins coming here but would like D Mac and 54 to restructure, maybe even 12, 87, or Chung

Extensions likely coming to 12 and 11 and hopefully Flowers and ideally Brown get brought back

 

[Snooky97]

I whiffed on Shelton too, flashed greatness at times in CLE and just hasn't been anything special here...would like Brown back for cheap and in a lesser role

Don't see Collins coming here but would like D Mac and 54 to restructure, maybe even 12, 87, or Chung

Extensions likely coming to 12 and 11 and hopefully Flowers and ideally Brown get brought back

Glad I’m not the only one! Agree, would be good to see him back on a cheap deal really.

D-Mac will be restructured, Brady will have an extension I imagine. HT might be lowered, and I can’t see Chung as he’s cheap as chips anyway.

I’d happily give flowers $13-15 as the cap is going up so I don’t mind giving him a bit more.

Trent Brown would be a nice one for us to resign as he’s been improving every week.

Any free agent targets you’d like to target?

 

[ripatsfan91]

Trent Brown is a MUST resign for me - this offensive line is the biggest strength of the team and we need to keep this unit together as TB ages and to set up the run game for Michel.

Team needs:
- WR: No real threat along the boundary, limits are offense dramatically
- TE: Even if Gronk comes back next year, we need an athletic TE. Keep Gronk as a primary blocking TE. Really want Hockenson from Iowa.
- DT: Expecting Shelton gone, maybe Brown comes back on a cheap deal. Need an upgrade here.
- SS/FS: Need to prepare for life without McCourty and Chung. Hopefully BB can develop Obi this off-season but could use some depth. (Just not in the 2nd round please)

We should try to rework Brady, Gronk, Dwayne Allen (cut him if he doesn't take a paycut), and D. McCourty

Resign: Trent Brown, Cordarelle Patterson, Trey Flowers, and Gost.

I like Dorsett, but he has been too inconsistent. I would bring him back but I think someone will pay a lot more than us.

 

[Snooky97]

[QUOTE="ripatsfan91, post: 5507127, member: 33410"

I like Dorsett, but he has been too inconsistent. I would bring him back but I think someone will pay a lot more than us.[/QUOTE]

Surprised at this. I’d say when’s he been targeted he’s caught pretty much everything that’s come his way. His season was dropped down due to the Gordon trade

 

[ripatsfan91]

[QUOTE="ripatsfan91, post: 5507127, member: 33410"

I like Dorsett, but he has been too inconsistent. I would bring him back but I think someone will pay a lot more than us.

Surprised at this. I’d say when’s he been targeted he’s caught pretty much everything that’s come his way. His season was dropped down due to the Gordon trade[/QUOTE]

I guess I thought he would do more post-Gordon relapse. He has had some big plays with two touchdowns in the playoffs, but hasn't shown the ability to pick up chunk plays with any consistency. I think all season he had the opportunity to supplant Hogan as the #2 receiver and couldn't do it.

 

[Snooky97]

Surprised at this. I’d say when’s he been targeted he’s caught pretty much everything that’s come his way. His season was dropped down due to the Gordon trade

I guess I thought he would do more post-Gordon relapse. He has had some big plays with two touchdowns in the playoffs, but hasn't shown the ability to pick up chunk plays with any consistency. I think all season he had the opportunity to supplant Hogan as the #2 receiver and couldn't do it.[/QUOTE]

It’s always hard though when we don’t really have a #1 WR.

I think hogan and Dorsett are both high level #3 receivers

 

[JerseyShore99]

Glad I’m not the only one! Agree, would be good to see him back on a cheap deal really.

D-Mac will be restructured, Brady will have an extension I imagine. HT might be lowered, and I can’t see Chung as he’s cheap as chips anyway.

I’d happily give flowers $13-15 as the cap is going up so I don’t mind giving him a bit more.

Trent Brown would be a nice one for us to resign as he’s been improving every week.

Any free agent targets you’d like to target?

There ore I think about it and the more they excel in the playoffs, I'm not sure 32 or 54 restructure and they will NOT be cut candidates...maybe 12 (think he's extended) restructures or even 87 and Dwayne Allen will be released

And yes, I was thinking $14-$16M range for Flowers, $16 maybe a bit high for NE but the Cap is rising...Wanted to extend him for cheap a year ago in the $8-$12M range...4/$60M makes sense for Flowers or 6/$84M...he'll have a market, lookout for MIA or maybe even NYJ

I'd love Brown back, he's one of the best in the game but have no clue what his payday will look...Absolutely prefer his consistent dominance over Solder though, younger as well, but have an in-house replacement in Wynn to go...Paying Brown may mean releasing Cannon who's been solid for not too much too

From the outside, FAs like Tate or Crowder fit the O really well (I prefer Crowder, think he'd become a star in NE, younger and likely cheaper), Tyler Kroft who's not too old, coming off a solid year, and plays STs makes sense at TE too which is a group that likely needs an overhaul (O needs a youth infusion)...Jeremy Hill back for pennies makes a ton of sense as well...John Brown (true wideout), Tavon Austin (versatile speedtser), and Randall Cobb (perfect fut although damaged goods to me) are also FAs as is Fitzgerald (who likely won't leave ARI), but I would love to just add Crowder, Kroft, and Hill...maybe a flier like Maxx Williams for pennies too

On D I would love a reunion with Chris Long (don't see it) or maybe even Wake if for cheap, rumor has it Gerald McCoy is a cap casualty candidate (which I don't see), but he would be a star here in NE...A DT like Bennie Logan or Johnathan Hankins makes a ton of sense as well, or even Mebane, shouldn't be too much...If J-Mac leaves, I wouldn't mind taking a shot on Mo Claiborne or Bradley Roby...Not sure what Verrett's pay day will look like either and I'm not evena fan, but he is a star when healthy, although I do like the CB group going forward with Gilmore, Jackson, Jones, Dawson, Crossen...J Mac if he returns)

 

[JerseyShore99]

Trent Brown is a MUST resign for me - this offensive line is the biggest strength of the team and we need to keep this unit together as TB ages and to set up the run game for Michel.

Team needs:
- WR: No real threat along the boundary, limits are offense dramatically
- TE: Even if Gronk comes back next year, we need an athletic TE. Keep Gronk as a primary blocking TE. Really want Hockenson from Iowa.
- DT: Expecting Shelton gone, maybe Brown comes back on a cheap deal. Need an upgrade here.
- SS/FS: Need to prepare for life without McCourty and Chung. Hopefully BB can develop Obi this off-season but could use some depth. (Just not in the 2nd round please)

We should try to rework Brady, Gronk, Dwayne Allen (cut him if he doesn't take a paycut), and D. McCourty

Resign: Trent Brown, Cordarelle Patterson, Trey Flowers, and Gost.

I like Dorsett, but he has been too inconsistent. I would bring him back but I think someone will pay a lot more than us.

I agree with keeping Brown, but not sure if BB pays him, may have to rely on Wynn than

And yes, I agree the O needs youth, overdue with Edelman going to be 33, 87 perhaps done, and not too much talent at those positions...Contrary to belief, Dorsett has been one of the most consistent WRs this season, JG cut into his playing time, so wouldn't mind him for cheap but think these positions should mostly be upgraded in Draft (add a guy like Crowder or Kroft like I said)

Agree with you on S as well, Johnson from Miami is someone I really like in the Draft

Hopefully NE has the money to re-sign everyone you mentioned because I agree