O/T: Way too early look at Pats Free Agents for 2023

[DaBruinz]

Who are the contracts we could dump off, and how much will we save in making those moves?

I’m primarily looking at that Jonnu Smith contract for this. Any others though? Guy/Godchaux contracts possibly?

The Pats have $49M in cap space thanks to the NLTBE that will become LTBE next year.

The Pats only have 41 people under contract. However, they have a TON of draft picks and I'm betting they'll use most of them.

Why would you look at dumping guys like Guy/Godchaux who are playing well? I can understand wanting to dump Jonnu Smith, but the reality is that the Pats mismanaged him. Mac Jones regression hasn't helped either.
Investing in a 1st or 2nd rd OT OR Moving Brown to RT and putting Strange at LT and adding a Guard would go a long way towards solidifying the line.

 

[Toofy]

We need to draft one more guard . Onwenu would price himself out of pats in 2024 .

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

Meyers is a legit #2 WR in the league and $10-$12 m per isn’t a far reach for that type of guy.

I’d still like to see a legit #1 but I don’t think that happening.

RBs are a dime a dozen, I’m fine with losing Harris and finding a pass catching back to play behind Stevenson

 

[mgteich]

Albert Breer projects Meyers to get 4 years $22M.

Sure, the top WR in free agency will get less than $8M AAV; NOT!

 

[mgteich]

I'd pay Jones.

Cajuste is an RFA; the only issue will be at what level to tender him.

I would try to keep Cardona and Peppers.

Sure, make a good offer to Myers. I think that another team will outbid us for Myers.

Both Cody Davis and Carl Davis will likely be back for short money,

I suspect that we will tender RFA Bryant, who continues to be higher on the depth chart than Wade.
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I suspect that Harris will be back after testing the market.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I really hope slater returns for another year. He is the goat of special teams.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Who are the contracts we could dump off, and how much will we save in making those moves?

I’m primarily looking at that Jonnu Smith contract for this. Any others though? Guy/Godchaux contracts possibly?

Guy and Godchaux? They're decent $, WTF are you going to replace these guys with at that $ ?

NOONE, and they aren't a Problem.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

The only replacement they'll have is likely at RT, Swing Tackle and possibly back-up Interor Lineman.

I fully expect the Pats to draft at least one OT next year. I also wouldn't be surprised for them to draft someone who can play both tackle positions. That's all part of normal roster turnover.

A lot will depend on how they view Steuber, Hines, and Russey. If the Pats coaching staff feels they've made significant strides, then it will be later rounds or UDFA.

I agree. I assume Russey and Hines are OK along with Cajuste. Strange is better Y2, but we need 1 or 2 tackles. Hopefully 1 OT in R1.

 

[DaBruinz]

Sure, the top WR in free agency will get less than $8M AAV; NOT!

Are you saying that Meyers is going to be the top FA WR available? Over someone like Smith-Schuster, Hardman, and Slayton?

 

[mgteich]

Are you saying that Meyers is going to be the top FA WR available? Over someone like Smith-Schuster, Hardman, and Slayton?

We'll see when the rating come out, but when the season starts, some have been posting that Myers will be the highest rated.

Perhaps, that won't be the case. It will certainly be the case that he will be one the top available when free agency officially starts.

 

[mgteich]

I agree. I assume Russey and Hines are OK along with Cajuste. Strange is better Y2, but we need 1 or 2 tackles. Hopefully 1 OT in R1.

Why do you assume that Russey and Hines are OK?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Why do you assume that Russey and Hines are OK?

Hines made the 53 In August to protect him. BB rarely does that unless he likes the player.

Russey is a typical UDFA OL center prospect at 6'2", 295 lbs. Fits the mold. Team captain, undersized but 30" vertical leap (quick), and 38 bench presses, strong as an ox. The Pats have kept him around and promoted him last week. Not sure how well he can call the OL formations, but hopefully he continues to grow and Ferentz is gone next year.

Stueber had a red shirt season so there is no indication if he will stick. Not the quickest guy - not sure what the Pat scouts saw in him.

 

[Joey007]

Guy and Godchaux? They're decent $, WTF are you going to replace these guys with at that $ ?

NOONE, and they aren't a Problem.

I’m not saying 100% yes, cut them. But I know they have bigger cap hits that could be money savers if let go. I’m more primarily thinking about Guy due to his age. He’s had injury issues as well. I understand keeping him, but letting him go next year wouldn’t be the worst idea either.

 

[PatsFan2]

Jonnu got restructured and guaranteed this year.

Ain't happening.

Start cheering for Jonnu. A lot.

Just threw up in the mouth at the thought.

 

[PatsFan2]

Hines made the 53 In August to protect him. BB rarely does that unless he likes the player.

Russey is a typical UDFA OL center prospect at 6'2", 295 lbs. Fits the mold. Team captain, undersized but 30" vertical leap (quick), and 38 bench presses, strong as an ox. The Pats have kept him around and promoted him last week. Not sure how well he can call the OL formations, but hopefully he continues to grow and Ferentz is gone next year.

Stueber had a red shirt season so there is no indication if he will stick. Not the quickest guy - not sure what the Pat scouts saw in him.

Stueber is a Michigan guy they have a history of doing well in the Pros.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Stueber is a Michigan guy they have a history of doing well in the Pros.

Agreed and he is a big boy, but he is slow and weak. I forget his exact numbers but he is the opposite of a lot of Pats 7th round/UDFA picks who are undersized by very athletic (Jon Jones, Edelman, etc). Russey is an example like Andrews of undersized but athletic. Stueber surprised me but being redshirted after bench pressing 18 times is not surprising. Russey benched like 38 times. Great program like MI and Stueber played guard and tackle, so we will see.

 

[Brandon_Cox]

Hines made the 53 In August to protect him. BB rarely does that unless he likes the player.

I've posted before about how Chasen Hines drove the LSU coaches crazy by playing at 360 lbs when his ideal weight was 325.

I'm paraphrasing Charles Barkley's famous quote to Stanley Roberts: "Hey Chasen, you could be a great player if you learned just two words: I'm full."

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I've posted before about how Chasen Hines drove the LSU coaches crazy by playing at 360 lbs when his ideal weight was 325.

I'm paraphrasing Charles Barkley's famous quote to Stanley Roberts: "Hey Chasen, you could be a great player if you learned just two words: I'm full."

Don't let him go out to eat with Trent Brown.

 

[patfanken]

Lost in the whole JC Jackson stuff is the fact that Belichick offered him $14m to stay. Belichick is not adverse to paying CBs a reasonable amount.

BTW- there are 2 glaring hot takes about the JC Jackson fiasco signing that is not being mentioned is that he is not the first DB who has left the Pats and didn't find the same success with another team (see Malcolm Butler). Coaching and Scheme. Now BOTH Jackson and Butler were very good CB's just based on the individual physical skills. BUT evidently being in this defensive system AND the coaching they got, elevated those skills into being viewed as premier CB's worthy of a big contract.

Of course JC's injuries have also factored in his very disappointing season, but his play while healthy did not come close to what we were seeing here last year. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that good schemes and good coaching can definitely raise a player's image around the league

 

[PatsFan2]

Are you saying that Meyers is going to be the top FA WR available? Over someone like Smith-Schuster, Hardman, and Slayton?

Good points DB I totally forgot about Slayton but I like Mecole Hardman he would be a nice speed guy to pair with T Thornton would make us really fast on the outsides.