GM LOUNGE

[long distance]

NE ROSTER

OT (7) - 76Wynn (25,2021,$3.6), Brown (28,2021, ), 75Herron (25,2023,$0,8), 77Cajuste (25,2022,$1), 74Cunningham (26,2021,$0,9),
61Cannon (33,2022,$9.6/7)

*Onwenu who i have listed in G group also played at RT


NE FREE AGENTS

65Eluemunor (26,T+G)

NE OT ROSTER COMMENTS

Pats have one of the best starting tackle duos in the league atm - the only problem is they are signed only through 2021. They will certainly be in position to keep them re cap next yr but if they stay healthy and ball they could go and sign elsewhere.

WYNN DEAL
It is not easy to get or groom two very good tackles in this league. So one of my top priorities this offseason would be securing Wynn longterm. Circumstances for getting him on a friendly deal are here - inj. history, reduced league cap/market and 5-y option looming.

Lets say his value on a normal market and wo injury concerns is around 15M apy (top 10-15 NFL contract). He has potentially 2 cheaper years left - 3.6M in 2021 and 10.4M on 5-y option. Lets then add two potential Franchise Tags: 15M in 2023 & 18M in 2024. So 47M in next 4 years are his maximum earnings if he doesn't sign a long term deal and NE keeps him. This of course can also be an argument to not sign him on long term deal esp. if you worry about inj. history which esp. in this case should be beside the point (bad luck in NFL & never inj in college). While this path is safer from insurance pov it gives you much less flexibility since all numbers are fixed cap hits & fully guaranteed at signings.

Since i believe Wynn is one of the best young LTs in NFL, perfect on&off the field Patriot Fit and have no extra worries re injuries i would try to sign him on a long term deal, offering something like 5y/60M 15-20 fully guaranteed at signing + some injury guarantees, the rest constructed as “pay as you go“. Its similar 12M apy value for one year longer that gives you much more cap flexibility and is a low risk high reward. If Wynn is healthy and plays like top 10 tackle in 4 years you can revisit the contract and add some $ - BB was never cheap about that.

MOUNT BROWN
Keeping Mount Brown long term - if he plays close to 2018 - will be a more difficult proposition. He is still only 27 & can be dominant at both tackle positions - so he could lok once again at top of the market. On the other hand he likes and possibly needs BB culture where you know that every person in the building has same level of accountability all the time. Putting him at RT - which they should - could increase chances for long term deal slightly.

Dante Scarnecchia explains in detail why he likes Trent Brown trade for Patriots

“I like Trent. I think he’s got talent, I think he’s got immense talent.”

patriotswire.usatoday.com

On the other hand Pats might have future RT already on board with Onwenu. He stepped up amazingly in that role and is signed through 2023.

There is another starting RT on the roster of course - Cannon. While BB is in no hurry to make decision (known) about him it is reasonable to expect he will not be on the roster in September.

SWING T
There is already one great backup tackle option on the roster in Onwenu but he will be OL starter in any case. Looking at the rest of the roster the young depth Pats have at the moment at arguably most difficult position to have depth (outside QB) - is almost obscene compared to struggles of the rest of the league. A lot was invested in this position continually and despite many setbacks it is paying off.
Herron already saw significant snaps at both sides, played well and looks like another 6th round steal. Cunningham did not show signs of improvement with rookies leapfrogging him easily so he is probably more of a TC body going into the preseason.
I am very interested how Cajuste looks this preseason now that he is reportedly finally healthy. His measurements and college tape suggested very good Swing Tackle prospect with upside of a starter. Hopefully this materializes - they kept him around so long for a reason - and if it does this group could be insanely deep. esp. if they also bring back Eluemunor as both guard & tackle backup..

 

[captain stone]

SWING T
There is already one great backup tackle option on the roster in Onwenu but he will be OL starter in any case. Looking at the rest of the roster the young depth Pats have at the moment at arguably most difficult position to have depth (outside QB) - is almost obscene compared to struggles of the rest of the league. A lot was invested in this position continually and despite many setbacks it is paying off.
Herron already saw significant snaps at both sides, played well and looks like another 6th round steal. Cunningham did not show signs of improvement with rookies leapfrogging him easily so he is probably more of a TC body going into the preseason.
I am very interested how Cajuste looks this preseason now that he is reportedly finally healthy. His measurements and college tape suggested very good Swing Tackle prospect with upside of a starter. Hopefully this materializes - they kept him around so long for a reason - and if it does this group could be insanely deep. esp. if they also bring back Eluemunor as both guard & tackle backup..

No he didn't; and No he doesn't.

 

[luuked]

WYNN DEAL
It is not easy to get or groom two very good tackles in this league. So one of my top priorities this offseason would be securing Wynn longterm. Circumstances for getting him on a friendly deal are here - inj. history, reduced cap/market and 5-y option looming.

Lets say his value on a normal market and wo injury concerns is around 15M apy (top 10 NFL contract). He has potentially 2 cheaper years left - 3.6M in 2021 and 10.4M on 5-y option. Lets then add two potential Franchise Tags: 15M in 2023 & 18M in 2024. So 47M in next 4 years are his maximum earnings if he doesn't sign a long term deal and NE keeps him. This of course can also be an argument to not sign him on long term deal esp. if you worry about inj. history which esp. in this case should be beside the point (bad luck in NFL & never inj in college). While this path is safer from insurance pov it gives you much less flexibility since all numbers are fixed cap hits & fully guaranteed at signings.

Since i believe Wynn is one of the best young LTs in NFL, perfect on&off the field Patriot Fit and have no extra worries re injuries i would try to sign him on a long term deal, offering something like 5y/60M 15-20 fully guaranteed at signing + some injury guarantees, the rest constructed as “pay as you go“. Its similar 12M apy value for one year longer that gives you much more cap flexibility and is a low risk high reward. If Wynn is healthy and plays like top 10 tackle in 4 years you can revisit the contract and add some $ - BB was never cheap about that.

I think a lot about how they approach Wynn will be up to how the draft falls. The way I see it a OT could be on the menu in round 2 if the right player falls. Then you could forgo the option, essentially let Wynn play on a kinda "prove it" deal and then make a decision between keeping Trent Brown or Wynn at the end of a season with a potential quality LT/RT already in the pipeline.

If I have my dates correct the last day to exercise the fifth year option is a day after the draft ends (i.e. May 2nd). This would also address swing tackle for this year. So things would align nicely.

 

[DaBruinz]

No he didn't; and No he doesn't.

Herron saw a bunch of snaps at both LT and RT. That's a fact. He also played very well for a rookie at those positions. You claiming otherwise is your TYPICAL "I hate the pick so I'm goiing to s**t all over it every chance i get" BS. You clearly didn't watch the games and see that Herron was an upgrade over Eleumenor at LT. Herron more than held his own at RT.

I'd love for @patsinthesnow to post the PFF grades for Herron at each of the spots he played.. As well as Eleumenor's.

 

[long distance]

I think a lot about how they approach Wynn will be up to how the draft falls. The way I see it a OT could be on the menu in round 2 if the right player falls. Then you could forgo the option, essentially let Wynn play on a kinda "prove it" deal and then make a decision between keeping Trent Brown or Wynn at the end of a season with a potential quality LT/RT already in the pipeline.

If I have my dates correct the last day to exercise the fifth year option is a day after the draft ends (i.e. May 2nd). This would also address swing tackle for this year. So things would align nicely.

Its Monday May 3d so they give them to sleep over

If they don't pick up the 10.4M option that changes considerably the $ dynamics i posted previously: they lose 1y of control, the cheaper year of control and immediately jump to 15M+ territory.

Draft could definitely still be an option but id guess more of an afterthought now esp. if center turns out to be a need. While this OT class is deep id still have Wynn at least in top 5 = 1st round (@BaconGrundleCandy & the crew can correct me if i am way off). I just dont get how people don't see how special Wynn is as LT with his combination of anchor, strength, balance, technique and athleticism. Just because he is supposedly “undersized“.

Guys like these are just not waiting around. Look at this FA. When you look at the names its the deepest OT FA ever. But look closer at the list i posted. All but one healthy starter are 32 and over! The younger options are swing tackles with limited experience after 4 or more yrs in the league already. I mean Jags put a 13.2M FT on Robinson who is well below average starter. If people would actually care to look at this they would understand how big the Brown FA move really is..

I see your point and BB is usually patient with these things but forgoing 5th y option for Wynn would be big disappointment to me.

 

[luuked]

If they don't pick up the 10.4M option that changes considerably the $ dynamics i posted previously: they lose 1y of control, the cheaper year of control and immediately jump to 15M+ territory.

Draft could definitely still be an option but id guess more of an afterthought now esp. if center turns out to be a need. While this OT class is deep id still have Wynn at least in top 5 = 1st round (@BaconGrundleCandy & the crew can correct me if i am way off). I just dont get how people don't see how special Wynn is as LT with his combination of anchor, strength, balance, technique and athleticism. Just because he is supposedly “undersized“.

Guys like these are just not waiting around. Look at this FA. When you look at the names its the deepest OT FA ever. But look closer at the list i posted. All but one healthy starter are 32 and over! The younger options are swing tackles with limited experience after 4 or more yrs in the league already. I mean Jags put a 13.2M FT on Robinson who is well below average starter. If people would actually care to look at this they would understand how big the Brown FA move really is..

I see your point and BB is usually patient with these things but forgoing 5th y option for Wynn would be big disappointment to me.

You don't have to convince me on the value and ability of Wynn. I am all the way with you on that. Personally, I'd love if the Pats would choose your way of handling his extension.

The reality is that even though it was not his own doing he has yet to play a full season. Now I am definitely not one of those people that use the term "injury prone" because the achilles was a freak injury and in the other cases you can't help someone rolling into you. But the bottomline is that availability is still something to keep an eye on before handing out bigger contracts.

All I am saying is that in the interest of risk minimization I can see them letting the fifth year option go to gain more information and time even if it might end up costing them more over the course of an eventual extension.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

You don't have to convince me on the value and ability of Wynn. I am all the way with you on that. Personally, I'd love if the Pats would choose your way of handling his extension.

The reality is that even though it was not his own doing he has yet to play a full season. Now I am definitely not one of those people that use the term "injury prone" because the achilles was a freak injury and in the other cases you can't help someone rolling into you. But the bottomline is that availability is still something to keep an eye on before handing out bigger contracts.

All I am saying is that in the interest of risk minimization I can see them letting the fifth year option go to gain more information and time even if it might end up costing them more over the course of an eventual extension.

Isn't Wynn's 5th year option less than what we are paying Brown? Brown's contract is suppose to be a deal, so I think they pick up Wynn's 5th year option. I also think they will pick a left tackle in Round 1 or 2 next year to train for a year before replacing Wynn. LT's are too expensive, like QBs, so it is better to have a LT on a rookie deal.

 

[luuked]

Isn't Wynn's 5th year option less than what we are paying Brown? Brown's contract is suppose to be a deal, so I think they pick up Wynn's 5th year option. I also think they will pick a left tackle in Round 1 or 2 next year to train for a year before replacing Wynn. LT's are too expensive, like QBs, so it is better to have a LT on a rookie deal.

It is only less than what Brown can make if he hits every single incentive in his deal. And even then all of them would have to be LTBE to count for this year's cap. Realistically Brown will have an initial cap charge of 7-8M or maybe even less.

If they feel confident enough with Wynn to use the fifth year option they might as well try what @long distance wrote and get an extension done leveraging the next two relatively cheap years. Security for a player who already experienced how quickly a season can end and a good deal for the team on a franchise LT.

 

[long distance]

You don't have to convince me on the value and ability of Wynn. I am all the way with you on that. Personally, I'd love if the Pats would choose your way of handling his extension.

The reality is that even though it was not his own doing he has yet to play a full season. Now I am definitely not one of those people that use the term "injury prone" because the achilles was a freak injury and in the other cases you can't help someone rolling into you. But the bottomline is that availability is still something to keep an eye on before handing out bigger contracts.

All I am saying is that in the interest of risk minimization I can see them letting the fifth year option go to gain more information and time even if it might end up costing them more over the course of an eventual extension.

availability will be a part of consideration for sure - hence the possible leverage - but id also consider how well he bounced back each time..

 

[long distance]

CAM INTERMEZZO





This is another BB contract that is below projected. (And i must say PFF projections via Spielberger are standing well so far with contracts just slightly on the lower side as should be expected). Most see this as backup contract . i prefer to see it as a possible starter contract with options opened.

Some are suggesting Pats will/should add another vet QB as a backup/competition. Im not so sure and would not be what moves QB position forward. I also dont think drafting QB high is a slam dunk bc of this but def. a high possibility.

What this move & contract do (together with Brown move) is confirm our thoughts that this FA will be about building the rest of the roster as strong and deep as possible so that it can have success regardless of QB outcome & will be able to support possible QB of the future.

So it should be fun roster building time ahead with loads of cap remaining despite two top priority positions already being addressed.


ps
Ill finish positional listings by tomorrow and then have the weekend for recap & final thoughts & GM predictions/guesstimations.
Hope you can join the weekend convo here before everything explodes on Monday

 

[luuked]

Some are suggesting Pats will/should add another vet QB as a backup/competition. Im not so sure and would not be what moves QB position forward. I also dont think drafting QB high is a slam dunk bc of this.

Drafting a QB high will be completely dependent on how the board looks around #7. If Carolina or Denver moves up into the Bengals slot and drafts whoever we were primarily targeting there is not much you can do. If they stay put -- which would be a mild surprise -- then moving up to #7 is totally in play if "our guy(s)" are still there.

I'd be shocked if we end up drafting a QB at #15. I just don't see anyone worth it falling past Denver, Carolina and SF. The flipside could be that SF drafting a QB might open up talk on JG again.

In summary I agree it is not a slam dunk but will be a function of how everything turns out early on. That being said if they are high enough on someone maybe they will be aggressive. We have rarely seen a BB team that needs to address the QB position and is somewhat in range to do so, thus every historic metric of what they would or wouldn't do is out of the window. It is all about the value and projection.


In terms of vet QB. Every week we move further from FA makes it slightly more unlikely that some else will be added with the one exception being JimmyG. The reason he is an exception is because he wouldn't need as much catch-up time and the coaching staff already knows what he is and what he is not.

But I could totally see them adding another vet QB in week 3 or 4 of FA if an opportunity present itself. What I can't see is one that would beat Newton in a competition unless Cam really is total toast. And that's not because I have such a high hopes for Newton but because I don't see anyone out there that is intriguing.

 

[DaBruinz]

That's a tolerable contract for Newton.. And it definitely doesn't guarantee him anything.

 

[long distance]

G POOL


NE ROSTER

69Mason (28,2023,$9.8), 71Onwenu (23,2023,$0,8), 68M.Martin (LG,27,2021,$0.9), 68Toran (G,25,2021,$0,8), 64Reynolds (G,25,futures)


NE FREE AGENTS

62Thuney (28)


FREE AGENTS top market: 14M-apy 2021 proj. FT=13.2M

Scherff, 30, WAS — NYJ [PFF:21] — FT 18
Thuney, 29, NE [FT2=17.7M] [PFF:14/CIN:15] — NYJ, CIN
>OL Feiler, 29, PIT (G+swing T) [2y/12]
Zeitler, 31, NYG (12) — cut —
Warford, 30, exNO (opt-out) (3xProB) (?PP+run)
K.Long, 32, exCHI (ret) —
Lane Taylor, 31, GB (SEP.knee)
>Gabe Jackson, 30 (9.6) — cut —
Feliciano, 29, BUF
T.Turner, 28, LAC (11.5) (bad 2020,good@CAR) — cut —
J.Miller, 28, CAR
->Aboushi, 30, DET
Ifedi, 27, CHI (+2020)
>Wylie, 27, KC (down.yr)
Osemele, 32, KC (inj.h)
Incognito, 38, LV (5.6) — cut —
>Schofield, 30, CAR (ex solid starter)
>C.Reed, 29, CAR (b-up;+2000)
>Wisniewski, 32, PHI (+b-up)
>Spain, 30, CIN
>Redmond, 26, CIN (b-up)
>Groy, 30 LAC (b-up)
>Brett Jones, 29, MIN (b-up)
>Winters, 30, BUF
>Good, 30, LV
>Larsen, 30, CAR (b-up)
Kelemete, 31, HOU (b-up) — cut —
Easton, 28, NO — cut —
Lamp, 27, LAC (- run block) (?reclamation)
JR Sweezy, 32, ARI
Haeg, 28, TB


TRADE / CUT OPTIONS

[Brooks, 32, PHI (10.5,13.5,13.7,15.5) - trade talks - restructure
[Norwell, 30, JAX (12,13/9) — possible trade/cut —
>[Van Roten, 31, NYG (3.5) — possible cut —
>[W.Hernandez, 26, NYG (2.2) (benched/reclamation) — possible trade —
[A.Lewis, 29, NYJ (5.8,6/5.2) — possible cut —


DRAFT

OL Elijah Vera-Tucker #75 USC (6’4-315) - 1
G *Wyatt Davis #52 Ohio State (6’4-313) - D2
OL Trey Smith #73 Tennessee (6’5-330) - D2
G Deonte Brown #65 ALA (6’3-364-9“) - D2/3
OL Ben Cleveland #74 Georgia (6’6-354) - D3
G Aaron Banks #69 ND (6’5-338) - D3
IOL *Kendrick Green #53 Illinois (6’4-315) - D3
David Moore #60 Grambling St (6’1-350-33“) - D3
OL Sadarius Hutcherson #50 S Carolina (6’4-320) - D2/3
G Royce Newman #72 Ole Miss (6’5-306-9“) - D3
OL Tommy Kraemer #78 ND (6’5-320) - D3
G Jack Anderson #56 TT (6’4-310) - D3
OL Robert Jones #64 Tennessee (6’4-320) - D3/U
IOL Tristen Hoge #69 BYU (6’4-310) - D3/U



[PFF:14/CIN:15] = projected apy contract (2021 cap hit 20-40% lower) - projections are not mine..
(10,14/6-10) = cap hits of remaining contract yrs. black is guaranteed, grey not gtd, orange cap saved, red after June 1

 

[DaBruinz]

G POOL


NE ROSTER

69Mason (28,2023,$9.8), 71Onwenu (23,2023,$0,8), 68M.Martin (LG,27,2021,$0.9), 68Toran (G,25,2021,$0,8), 64Reynolds (G,25,futures)


NE FREE AGENTS

62Thuney (28)


FREE AGENTS top market: 14M-apy 2021 proj. FT=13.2M

Scherff, 30, WAS — NYJ [PFF:21] — FT 18
Thuney, 29, NE [FT2=17.7M] [PFF:14/CIN:15] — NYJ, CIN
>OL Feiler, 29, PIT (G+swing T) [2y/12]
Zeitler, 31, NYG (12) — cut —
Warford, 30, exNO (opt-out) (3xProB) (?PP+run)
K.Long, 32, exCHI (ret) —
Lane Taylor, 31, GB (SEP.knee)
>Gabe Jackson, 30 (9.6) — cut —
Feliciano, 29, BUF
T.Turner, 28, LAC (11.5) (bad 2020,good@CAR) — cut —
J.Miller, 28, CAR
->Aboushi, 30, DET
Ifedi, 27, CHI (+2020)
>Wylie, 27, KC (down.yr)
Osemele, 32, KC (inj.h)
Incognito, 38, LV (5.6) — cut —
>Schofield, 30, CAR (ex solid starter)
>C.Reed, 29, CAR (b-up;+2000)
>Wisniewski, 32, PHI (+b-up)
>Spain, 30, CIN
>Redmond, 26, CIN (b-up)
>Groy, 30 LAC (b-up)
>Brett Jones, 29, MIN (b-up)
>Winters, 30, BUF
>Good, 30, LV
>Larsen, 30, CAR (b-up)
Kelemete, 31, HOU (b-up) — cut —
Easton, 28, NO — cut —
Lamp, 27, LAC (- run block) (?reclamation)
JR Sweezy, 32, ARI
Haeg, 28, TB


TRADE / CUT OPTIONS

[Brooks, 32, PHI (10.5,13.5,13.7,15.5) - trade talks - restructure
[Norwell, 30, JAX (12,13/9) — possible trade/cut —
>[Van Roten, 31, NYG (3.5) — possible cut —
>[W.Hernandez, 26, NYG (2.2) (benched/reclamation) — possible trade —
[A.Lewis, 29, NYJ (5.8,6/5.2) — possible cut —


DRAFT

OL Elijah Vera-Tucker #75 USC (6’4-315) - 1
G *Wyatt Davis #52 Ohio State (6’4-313) - D2
OL Trey Smith #73 Tennessee (6’5-330) - D2
G Deonte Brown #65 ALA (6’3-364-9“) - D2/3
OL Ben Cleveland #74 Georgia (6’6-354) - D3
G Aaron Banks #69 ND (6’5-338) - D3
IOL *Kendrick Green #53 Illinois (6’4-315) - D3
David Moore #60 Grambling St (6’1-350-33“) - D3
OL Sadarius Hutcherson #50 S Carolina (6’4-320) - D2/3
G Royce Newman #72 Ole Miss (6’5-306-9“) - D3
OL Tommy Kraemer #78 ND (6’5-320) - D3
G Jack Anderson #56 TT (6’4-310) - D3
OL Robert Jones #64 Tennessee (6’4-320) - D3/U
IOL Tristen Hoge #69 BYU (6’4-310) - D3/U



[PFF:14/CIN:15] = projected apy contract (2021 cap hit 20-40% lower) - projections are not mine..
(10,14/6-10) = cap hits of remaining contract yrs. black is guaranteed, grey not gtd, orange cap saved, red after June 1

You missed Ferentz. I can understand why..

 

[long distance]

You missed Ferentz. I can understand why..

He's coming up in C pool, don't you worry

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

OT POOL

Lots of heated debates out there on OL FA so lets look at whats out there despite the fact that Pats already made their big move trading for Mount Brown. With Brown on board (and counting *Onwenu as proven option) this position looks loaded. It was “reported“ that Cannon was opting in but in all likelihood Pats will be moving on. Cajuste is reportedly healthy and ready to go while both Herron and Cunningham saw some playing time last season.

Draft class absolutely loaded.


NE ROSTER

OT (7) - 76Wynn (25,2021,$3.6), Brown (28,2021, ), 75Herron (25,2023,$0,8), 77Cajuste (25,2022,$1), 74Cunningham (26,2021,$0,9),
61Cannon (33,2022,$9.6/7)

*Onwenu who i have listed in G group also played at RT


NE FREE AGENTS

65Eluemunor (26,T+G)


FREE AGENTS top market 23/18M-apy (LT/RT)

LT T.Williams, 33, SF [PFF:20] — SF
LT Fischer, 30 KC (achilles-JAN) — cut
RT Schwartz, 32 (back/ok2021) — cut
RT Moton, 27, CAR [PFF:16] — FT 14.8
LT Reiff, 33, MIN (11.8) — cut —
> LT Villanueva, 33, PIT (?penalt) [PFF:15]
LT Okung, 33, CAR (inj.h) [PFF:16] — WAS
RT Daryl Williams, 29, BUF (exPro-Bo;[email protected]) [PFF:10] — NYG
LT Peters, 39, PHI
OT Dotson, 36, DEN
> RT Beachum, 32, ARI (?run) [5]
RT R.Wagner, 32, GB (+@BAL-@DET) — cut —
OL Remmers, 32, KC (swing T+G) [PFF:2/10]
OT Nsekhe, 35, BUF
LT C.Robinson, 26, JAX — FT 13.2M
>OT R.Hill, 29, MIN (swing T)
->OL Eluemunor, 27, NE (T+G)
OT Lamm, 29, CLE (swing T)
OT Ogbuehi, 29, SEA (swing T)
OT Spriggs, 27, CHI (swing T)
LT Banner, 28, PIT (b-up)
OT Hawkins, 28, PIT (swing T)
OT R.Johnson, 26, HOU (swing T)
OT Hurst, 30, NO (-run.block/swing T) [PFF:1/3.5]
OL DJ Fluker, 30, BAL (+G)
OT Sambrailo, 29, TEN (avg swing/?LT)
LT Wells, 30, TB (b-up)
LT Davenport, 26, MIA (b-up)
RT Fleming, 29, NYG [PFF:4]
LT Tevi, 27, LAC (- run)
OT LeRaven Clark, 28, IND (b-up)
RT T.Scott, 27, CAR (b-up) — RFA — CAR - re-signed 1y
OT Erving, 29, DAL (b-up)
OT Green, 27, IND (b-up)
OT Sharpe, 26, WAS (b-up)
OL E.Wilkinson, 26, DEN


TRADE / CUT OPTIONS
RT T.Brown, LV (14) — trade — NE - 2022 5th for 2022 7th
RT Wilson, TEN (6’7-340) — trade — MIA - swap 7th
[LT Armstead, 30, NO (6.6/11.7-J2) - extension/trade ?
[RT Ramczyk, 27, NO (11>17.3.-gtd) - extension/trade ?
[Orlando Brown, 25, BAL (3.4) (wants to play LT) — likely trade — JAX, LAC, IND
[LT D.Smith, 28, TB (14.2) — likely extension
[LT Solder, 33, NYG (10,14/6-10) (opt-o) — possible cut/new deal —
[RT Massie, 32, CHI (5.4) — likely decl. opt —
[LT Leno, 30, CHI (9/6.2) — possible cut —
[RT Turner, 30, GB (6.1,5.6)
[RT Fant, 29, NYG (9.4,10.7) (+run) — possible cut —
[RT Hart, 27, CIN (5.8) — possible cut —


DRAFT

OT Penei Sewell #58 Oregon (6’6-325) - 1
OT Teven Jenkins #73 Oklahoma St (6’6-320-34BP) - 1
OT Christian Darrisaw #77 VT (6’5-313) - 1
OT Liam Eichenberg #74 ND (6’5-300) - 1/2
OL Samuel Cosmi #52 Texas (6’7-310) - 1/2
OT Dillon Radunz #75 ND St (6’5-304) - 1/2
OT *Jalen Mayfield #73 Michigan (6’5-320) - D2
OL Alex Leatherwood #70 Alabama (6’5-312-9.5“) - D2
LT Walker Little #72 Stanford (6’7-315) - D2
OT Brady Christensen #67 BYU (6’6-300) - D2/3
OT James Hudson #55 Cincinnati (6’4-302-11“) - D2/3 -
LT *Jackson Carman #79 Clemson (6’5-315>330) - D2/3
OL D’Ante Smith #67 E Carolina (6’5-294+35“) - D3
OL Robert Hainsey #72 ND (6’4-302-33“) - D3


INTERESTING POSSIBLE UDFA

OT Brenden Jaimes #76 Nebraska (6’5-300)
OL Cole Van Lanen #71 Wisconsin (6’5-312)
OL Jaylon Moore #76 W Michigan (6’4-311-11“)
OT Stone Forsythe #72 Florida (6’8-330)
OT *Abraham Lucas #72 Washington St (6’7-328)
OT Daniel Faalele #78 Minnesota (6’9-400)



[PFF:16] = projected apy contract (2021 cap hit 20-40% lower) - projections are not mine..
(10,14/6-10) = cap hits of remaining contract yrs. black is guaranteed, grey not gtd, orange cap saved, red after June 1

I was just talking with @midwestpatsfan about Stone Forsythe

 

[long distance]

@ OT/OL

As mentioned earlier D. Williams was the last under 30 starting OT off the board before FA even starts. Very solid RT playing well in his contract year. He was projected at 10M apy. This contract is for 8M apy with team friendly structure and is considered a steal. The better Q is will this be considered a new norm under decreased Cap?

While this is just one of many moves showing the willingness of BUF players coming back on lower $ and continuing their great run together - it could also be an indicator that OL market will be hit by Cap decrease also at the top as massacre of top paid guards this week was indicating.

Even if New League Year starts on march 17 - behind the scenes markets at the top of positions are already pretty much set and it doesn't look good for OL. Which would be good news for NE of course w Thuney and Andrews out there

 

[long distance]

C POOL

So this is what need actually looks like After having nice depth with Andrews and Karras for some time now the position is barren.
Martin was emergency signing late in Dec. from DET after he hasn't played a snap in 4 years. And bounced around half of the league.
FA market doesn't offer much so bringing back Andrews would be quite important.
There should be great opportunity in Draft this year with top 4 prospects all Patriot Types as it gets.


NE ROSTER

68M.Martin (C/LG,27,2021,$0.9)

NE FREE AGENTS

60Andrews (29, #3.4)
66Ferentz (32)


FREE AGENTS top market: 12M-apy

Linsley, 30, GB [PFF:11]
J.Kelce, 34, PHI (5.5-J2) — new — 1y/9M
—>Andrews, 29, NE [PFF:3/18]
>Alex Mack, 35, ATL [1/6]
Reiter, 30, KC (betterPP ?run) [2y/9.5]
C+G Blythe, 29, LAR (better G;inconsist)
N.Martin, 28, HOU (soft;down2020) (6.3) — cut —
C+G Karras, 28, MIA [PFF:4] — MIA
Britt, 30, SEA — cut — HOU - 1y/3.2M>5M
Shatley, 30, JAX (1+y=2020)
C+G Pocic, 26, SEA (inj.h;+2020;+PP-run)
>Skura, 28, BAL (down yr>backup) — ex solid starter > NE backup C —
>BJ Finney, 30, CIN (3.3)— cut — expr. backup C — PIT
Garland, 33, SF (+b-up/SFA)
Kilgore, 34, KC (+b-up/SFA)
G+C Elflein, 27, NYJ (+run;G-NFL)
Feeney, 27, LAC
Larsen, 30, CAR (b-up)
C+G Ferentz, 32, NE

POSSIBLE CUTS / TRADE

[Richburg, 30, SF (8-J2) (hip.surg) — possible cut —


DRAFT

IOL Creed Humphrey #56 Oklahoma (6’4-312) - 2
IOL Landon ****erson #69 ALA (6’6-326-11“) - 2
OL *Josh Myers #71 Ohio St (6’5-312) - D2
IOL Quinn Meinerz #77 W-W (6’3-320) - 3-4
C Drake Jackson #52 Kentuckey (6’1-290-8.5“) - D3
C Michal Menet #62 Penn St (6’4-306) - D3
C Jimmy Morissey #67 Pitt (6’3-305) - D3
C Drew Dalman #51 Stanford (6’2-300) - D3
C *Trey Hill #55 Georgia (6’4-330) - D3

 

[venecol]

C POOL

So this is what need actually looks like After having nice depth with Andrews and Karras for some time now the position is barren.
Martin was emergency signing late in Dec. from DET after he hasn't played a snap in 4 years. And bounced around half of the league.
FA market doesn't offer much so bringing back Andrews would be quite important.
There should be great opportunity in Draft this year with top 4 prospects all Patriot Types as it gets.


NE ROSTER

68M.Martin (C/LG,27,2021,$0.9)

NE FREE AGENTS

60Andrews (29, #3.4)
66Ferentz (32)


FREE AGENTS top market: 12M-apy

Linsley, 30, GB [PFF:11]
J.Kelce, 34, PHI (5.5-J2) — new — 1y/9M
—>Andrews, 29, NE [PFF:3/18]
>Alex Mack, 35, ATL [1/6]
Reiter, 30, KC (betterPP ?run) [2y/9.5]
C+G Blythe, 29, LAR (better G;inconsist)
N.Martin, 28, HOU (soft;down2020) (6.3) — cut —
C+G Karras, 28, MIA [PFF:4] — MIA
Britt, 30, SEA — cut — HOU - 1y/3.2M>5M
Shatley, 30, JAX (1+y=2020)
C+G Pocic, 26, SEA (inj.h;+2020;+PP-run)
>Skura, 28, BAL (down yr>backup) — ex solid starter > NE backup C —
>BJ Finney, 30, CIN (3.3)— cut — expr. backup C — PIT
Garland, 33, SF (+b-up/SFA)
Kilgore, 34, KC (+b-up/SFA)
G+C Elflein, 27, NYJ (+run;G-NFL)
Feeney, 27, LAC
Larsen, 30, CAR (b-up)
C+G Ferentz, 32, NE

POSSIBLE CUTS / TRADE

[Richburg, 30, SF (8-J2) (hip.surg) — possible cut —


DRAFT

IOL Creed Humphrey #56 Oklahoma (6’4-312) - 2
IOL Landon ****erson #69 ALA (6’6-326-11“) - 2
OL *Josh Myers #71 Ohio St (6’5-312) - D2
IOL Quinn Meinerz #77 W-W (6’3-320) - 3-4
C Drake Jackson #52 Kentuckey (6’1-290-8.5“) - D3
C Michal Menet #62 Penn St (6’4-306) - D3
C Jimmy Morissey #67 Pitt (6’3-305) - D3
C Drew Dalman #51 Stanford (6’2-300) - D3
C *Trey Hill #55 Georgia (6’4-330) - D3

What do your different colors mean? Is there a color guide I missed?

Also. @Ring 6 pay attention to this.

 

[long distance]

IOL DEPTH

As mentioned Pats have two great starters signed through 2023 in Onwenu and Mason w Wynn an option as well. There is no depth behind them though so there's work to be done in FA and possibly Draft. Pats usually carry 7-8 IOL to TC and im not sure if any of Martin, Toran, Reynolds will qualify. Since good IOL depth is a need after Karras left, Froholdt bust w Thuney likely moving out as top FA i hope they will use this bargain opportunity to load up on quality TC options to fight it out there. Center depth is virtually non existent so looking at some solid backup G+C option should make sense.

While Free Agency doesn't have much of top quality there is plenty to choose for depth and should be very affordable. Id look at guys like Skura, Finney, Ifedi, Wiley, Reed, Schofield also Aboushi, Miller, Shatley if they dont find starting gigs elsewhere. These were all starters or stepped up as starters at some point and are reliable backups. Bringing back Karras would also be nice but better as backup than starter of course although there is reasonable chance he can push for starter somewhere.


ANDREWS THUNEY QUESTION

These are two top NE FAs and there's plenty of discussion already out there. A few weeks ago Thuney was as good as gone and bringing back Andrews was no brainer. In principle i still see it this way although pre FA massacre at G does offer reasons to pause.

Thuney is still top G option in FA and w offering C and esp T versatility & his amazing durability one would think his projected asking price at top of G market (14M apy) should stand. But looking at what is happening in early OL market and esp at G maybe that is not so sure. It looks like G will be one position most affected by decreased Cap situation so unless someone wants/needs Thuney as his starter at LT his market could be considerably lower.

3 Guards on top contracts were already cut last week - Zeitler, Turner and Gabe Jackson - Norwell is on the chopping block and Brooks who was in trade discussions was recently restructured.

Not counting Scherff who was tagged - the only guard that will play 2021 season above 11.5M apy remains Zack Martin and i dont think anybody in the league sees Thuney as dominant as ZM. So in reality Thuney fits more in the 10-11M apy range as G.

Andrews is #2 C FA at first projected at half of Thuney's price tag (6-7.5M apy). Looking at C contracts and depth some could see him higher: 13 C contracts are currently 8.5M or higher (which is similar to G).

So there maybe some sense in what Peter King was saying about outside possibility of Thuney returning.

Peter King explains how Joe Thuney could re-sign with Patriots

Peter King joins NBC Sports Boston's "The Camera Guys" and offers an interesting scenario for how Joe Thuney could re-sign with the Patriots on a one-year contract.

sports.yahoo.com

If his market indeed stays below 11M or even a bit higher - 1y contract for Thuney is very much in play. I agree that at that point BB would be interested. But if this is the Thuney for Andrews kind of choice and they sign him to take starting C job for a year - i still dont see how this would be in the best interest of Thuney and his manager. If id be them and decide to wait for a better market - id take 1y deal somewhere they need LT and help my price tag go up.

We will see soon enough. I believe Andrews is still the most reasonable option. But there is no need to panic - the best option maybe lays in the Draft. While letting Andrews go & bringing back Karras f.e. would be pretty ironic given the historically large cap space - Karras combined with one of the top 4 draft prospects could be ideal for the future of this line (since they would all offer C+G versatility that Andrews does not - and for half the $)