Player Signing RapSheet: Agholor to Pats

[TheRazorsEdge]

Here's an exercise to pass some time. Look at the Patriots "signings" today. Then, ask yourself how you'd evaluate them if they'd been made by some other team, rather than the Patriots.

Being Honest?
- Judon and Jonnu Smith would/should be welcomed by most if not all nfl teams. I'd give any teams props for pulling that off.

- Anderson/Godchaux = doesn't move needle but not many players would to be fair given the position.

- Jalen Mills - doesn't move needle.

- WRs - actually would give props. Not HUGE splash but functional/productive players.

Now looking at it through the lens/context of the Patriots situation...they are pretty awesome signings on paper.

Context/situation with team matters so I guess it's hard to look at it without considering team x.

 

[RIpats88]

Not good. If Brady were here I might feel alright because I think he could make good use of these guys. But like I said before basically with Cam they don’t move the needle because he won’t get the best out of them. It’s just an overpay for guys who won’t make a real impact.

This argument makes no sense. You still need a team when you find the "guy". You don't neglect putting a good team together because you don't have a QB to contend yet.

If Bill is looking to draft a QB in the first round, wouldn't you rather him step into a good team when he's ready?

 

[Simpelton]

I like the receiving corps now, and we haven't even seen the draft - Edelman, Agholor, Bourne, N'Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers, Byrd, and Jonnu Smith.

I hope they re-sign Burkhead to complete the backfield.

We can afford to lose Burkhead although of course I'd rather not. Burkhead is an amazing depth piece if you don't overexpose him and we literally got to the Superbowl on the back of having his fresh legs at the end of the game a couple years back.

 

[Kdo5]

This argument makes no sense. You still need a team when you find the "guy". You don't neglect putting a good team together because you don't have a QB to contend yet.

If Bill is looking to draft a QB in the first round, wouldn't you rather him step into a good team when he's ready?

Depends on *if* we draft a QB in the first round. Right now Im going on the assumption that Cam is the front runner to be our start week 1.

 

[sean10mm]

Here's an exercise to pass some time. Look at the Patriots "signings" today. Then, ask yourself how you'd evaluate them if they'd been made by some other team, rather than the Patriots.

If they draft a QB high I give it an A+ for doing everything in their power to set the new guy up to succeed.

If it's just Cam or Stidham or some crap it's a lost season anyway so who cares.

 

[Simpelton]

Even if we draft a QB high we'll need a covering veteran so we don't Haskins the kid.

 

[Lansdowne]

Here's an exercise to pass some time. Look at the Patriots "signings" today. Then, ask yourself how you'd evaluate them if they'd been made by some other team, rather than the Patriots.

Honestly I wouldn’t be too impressed by it. Smith and Judon would be big time additions for just about any team. The rest of them are solid depth moves at best and that’s before factoring in the cost. As others have said, don’t really move the needle. Now with the Pats in context, the air attack that was flat out the worst has been upgraded to simply mediocre. I thought the Pats had adequate depth in the secondary as is so the Mills signing is curious to me. I thought that was what drafting Dugger was for, considering Mills is more of an undersized safety at this stage of his career. I am generally happy with all the activity in free agency today but it comes from a place of thinking “well at least they did something”.

Let’s wait and see. If I remember correctly, in the 2007 offseason they signed Donte’ Stallworth first, then traded for Wes Welker, and then during the draft traded for Randy Moss. I think many of us, myself included, were pretty happy about bringing in Stallworth (to a WR corps of Gaffney and Caldwell) without realizing at the time that they weren’t done adding receivers. Not expecting that big of a splash this time around but if the Pats add a top WR talent in FA or trade (like Golladay or Samuel or a trade for OBJ), pair that with drafting the QB of the future (Trey Lance please) and now we can dream big. But that’s just me playing armchair GM.

 

[italian pat patriot]

We needed a WR and let s hope he is the reply
With Raider uniform was good

 

[patfanken]

Here's an exercise to pass some time. Look at the Patriots "signings" today. Then, ask yourself how you'd evaluate them if they'd been made by some other team, rather than the Patriots.

Fair question - (everything I say is subject to @Miguel's breakdown of the contracts)

1. Judon - quality versatile player for a market price. Not a top one on one player, but within a scheme and moved around the defense he will shine. Comparisons to AThomas are fair. If he produces like Thomas did in his first 25 games it will end up being a great deal. If its like the last season, not so much. I'm guessing the contract will be structured so the Pats can get out of the deal comfortably after the 2nd year. My Grade: A-

2. Smith - Quality player at a premium price - This was my 1B TE hope - I only hope that he can block as well as some have said and is used at least half the time as an inline TE - Only 26 - this is a true 4 year deal and he'll be under contract for his prime years. My Grade - A

3. Agular - Can't get the Philly image out of my head. 19ypc receiver is what this team REALLY needs. I'm just wondering which guy we will get. Eagles or Raiders. I'm hoping we have a 2nd year out when the contract is figured out. Would have MUCH rather paid Samuels. My Grade - C

4. Godchaex - Needed meat in the middle. The guy is a sold NT and fills a need as situational player, slightly pricy, but also young. - My grade - B

5. Anderson - Needed a guy who could play a 3-4 DE (hard to find these days) Solid 4-3 DE and improves the run D. Showed some rush push in with the Jets. Worried his signing will mean we aren't reupping Guy. My grade B

6. Bourne - Seems like a duplicate of Jacobi was my initial reaction (big solid dependable WR who can play inside and out - not a speed guy) All will depend on the contract. Nailed the all important 3 cone. An upgrade that doesn't excite, but is the kind of player you need You just wonder if you needed him on the first day. My grade: B-

7, Wise: I would have rather had signed Guy, but I really like the fact he improved every year. Looks like got a reasonable deal, so I'm OKay with this. My Grade B

8. Forgot Mills - I really like this signing. A Harmon replacement is not a bad comparison. Wildly versatile. Played all 7 second level positions last season. ANOTHER guy you can move around. DIdn't think they'd be in the market for a DB, but I can see this one. He was great for Philly in the 17 superbowl A-

The sleeper at WR this season is going to be Lee. I forgot about him, but if he comes back at what he was prior to the opt out he could be very effective.

I knew Bill would spend his cap space, I just didn't figure he'd to it on day one. I will be interested in seeing how much we have left when Miguel breaks down the 2021 cap figure for each player. More to do IMHO - sign Andrews and Guy

 

[VJCPatriot]

Patriots are doing the sensible thing. They SUCK at drafting WRs so they are trying to stockpile the position via Free Agency. Agholor has some deep speed in him. Averaged around 18 YPC last season with the Raiders. His catch rate is not amazing at around 55% but that's probably because he's catching a lot of deep balls that are lower percentage plays.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Patriots are doing the sensible thing. They SUCK at drafting WRs so they are trying to stockpile the position via Free Agency. Agholor has some deep speed in him. Averaged around 18 YPC last season with the Raiders. His catch rate is not amazing at around 55% but that's probably because he's catching a lot of deep balls that are lower percentage plays.

Good point. I was underwhelmed by the WR signings but you reminded me it would be worse if we wasted a high draft pick here. I feel like across the board we have overpaid for a lot of guys. Drew Rosenhaus is laughing his ass off. This reminds me of when you see a lot of high priced management consultants helping a company you know the internal leadership has no f'ing clue what they're doing

 

[Leemo]

why does this forum look so ugly on pc these days, is there any way to change it?

 

[RIpats88]

Good point. I was underwhelmed by the WR signings but you reminded me it would be worse if we wasted a high draft pick here. I feel like across the board we have overpaid for a lot of guys. Drew Rosenhaus is laughing his ass off. This reminds me of when you see a lot of high priced management consultants helping a company you know the internal leadership has no f'ing clue what they're doing

One thing to keep in mind is Bill may betting on the new tv deal and for the cap to skyrocket.

These deals may l look like bargains in a couple years.

 

[RIpats88]

I just wonder, why algholor instead of a golladay or curtis samuel?

 

[Bourne Patriot]

Last season Agholor had more rec yards, TD's and YPC catch than both of those guys. Plus he's cheaper, a Super Bowl winner and clearly out to prove the world wrong for criticising him.

 

[JayNM]

I was at a level 9 of excitment after the news, but with some time, I think Ive come down a point or so

The feeling that we overpayed Agholor and Bourne is starting to creep on me... and I cant ignore that Jonnu Smith is being paid like a super prime TE, even though he hasnt show this level yet

I liked the Judon signing, but i feel like an off-the-line LB who can go west-east was more of a need (Hightower is more of a in-between the numbers kind of player)

Anyways, i loved that BB was aggressive in FA. Every area of need has been addressed basically and now we can really start to look for good deals in this depleted buyers' market

 

[Lagaffe_07]

I just wonder, why algholor instead of a golladay or curtis samuel?

They could have early indications that both players wouldn’t come to NE or agholor is there safety signing and are still trying to sign one of the two.

better to have one guy like agholor rather than pushing only on golladay and Samuel and coming home empty handed

 

[Lagaffe_07]

Last season Agholor had more rec yards, TD's and YPC catch than both of those guys. Plus he's cheaper, a Super Bowl winner and clearly out to prove the world wrong for criticising him.

Agholor has had a career year last year. You don’t really know if it’s his ceiling or if he can still progress. He was nothing special in Philly. It’s only a two year deal so nothing risky if it doesn’t panned out.

golladay was injured last season but he is a multiple proven 1000+ yds WR.

 

[Ollie]

I was at a level 9 of excitment after the news, but with some time, I think Ive come down a point or so

The feeling that we overpayed Agholor and Bourne is starting to creep on me... and I cant ignore that Jonnu Smith is being paid like a super prime TE, even though he hasnt show this level yet

I liked the Judon signing, but i feel like an off-the-line LB who can go west-east was more of a need (Hightower is more of a in-between the numbers kind of player)

Anyways, i loved that BB was aggressive in FA. Every area of need has been addressed basically and now we can really start to look for good deals in this depleted buyers' market

I was the same, Bournes guaranteed money is actually quite low and i think he is a decent player so i'm happy there. Supposedly Smith lack of production is due to how he was used and targeted so we will just have to see how that one pans out. Agholor is also a tricky one. It depends which one we get the Philly or LV one. There are question marks there but also they all have a big upside i they all come off. Fingers crossed

 

[RIpats88]

Agholor has had a career year last year. You don’t really know if it’s his ceiling or if he can still progress. He was nothing special in Philly. It’s only a two year deal so nothing risky if it doesn’t panned out.

golladay was injured last season but he is a multiple proven 1000+ yds WR.

Hopefully Philly was just using him wrong. its not normal to go from around 300-400 yards to near 1000.

Did the raiders do anything different with him?