PATRIOTS NEWS Official 2024 Free Agency Thread - Day 5

[mike_usagisan]

Then you drafted the wrong QB.

You don’t play the rookie if you think he is not ready not because of the supporting cast.

Carr's and Luck's careers are reasons you don't put your QBs behind crappy o-lines.

 

[Ross12]

Barring a trade I would expect:

• The pats carry over ~35 million in cap space next year
• The rookie QB doesn’t play

Buckle up

If they do sit on some cap and roll it into next year, there is one way it could work out.

If they draft a QB at #3 and they hit, and they sit him for all or part of this year and get him really well prepped and ready learning behind a veteran, then they can go into 2025 with a draft pick that's probably still high enough to draft a can't-miss blue chip player, plus the most cap space in the entire league, to build up a roster around a young QB on a rookie contract who is ready to compete.

They probably still wouldn't be championship contenders in year 2, but they could take a big step forward and possibly be able to compete for the division at the same time that the Dolphins are probably on a downturn and the Jets don't have Rodgers anymore.

 

[Triumph]

It was a great day 4.

 

[mike_usagisan]

If they do sit on some cap and roll it into next year, there is one way it could work out.

If they draft a QB at #3 and they hit, and they sit him for all or part of this year and get him really well prepped and ready learning behind a veteran, then they can go into 2025 with a draft pick that's probably still high enough to draft a can't-miss blue chip player, plus the most cap space in the entire league, to build up a roster around a young QB on a rookie contract who is ready to compete.

They probably still wouldn't be championship contenders in year 2, but they could take a big step forward and possibly be able to compete for the division at the same time that the Dolphins are probably on a downturn and the Jets don't have Rodgers anymore.

I think that's looking more and more likely.

We still need a WR1 otherwise 2024 is going to make 2023 look like a capable offense.

 

[50-yard-line]

Given the way the Chargers have gone, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the Pats trade out of #3.

They might trade down a couple of times.

They shouldn't do this if they really like a QB that falls to them there, but if not, expect some moves to acquire a lot of extra draft capital over the next couple of years, in which case, I'd expect a lot of high-end OL and WR picks.

 

[50-yard-line]

I think that's looking more and more likely.

We still need a WR1 otherwise 2024 is going to make 2023 look like a capable offense.

Honestly, I think 2024 is better simply because of the change at QB. Brissett >>>>>> what we saw last year.

Hopefully, the OL won't get battered by injuries this year. Sow, Mafi, Andrews should all be better in year two. Onwenu should improve as he settles into OT, if that's his place, and look, they've got an actual coach this year, after losing Klemm (hope he's well now).

I'm not optimistic for 2024. But I think 2023 was the bottom of the barrel. Wholly unwatchable.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

If they do sit on some cap and roll it into next year, there is one way it could work out.

If they draft a QB at #3 and they hit, and they sit him for all or part of this year and get him really well prepped and ready learning behind a veteran, then they can go into 2025 with a draft pick that's probably still high enough to draft a can't-miss blue chip player, plus the most cap space in the entire league, to build up a roster around a young QB on a rookie contract who is ready to compete.

They probably still wouldn't be championship contenders in year 2, but they could take a big step forward and possibly be able to compete for the division at the same time that the Dolphins are probably on a downturn and the Jets don't have Rodgers anymore.

i like this plan and tbh the current FA period indicates it. I have no problem wasting a season if it is for the greater good in the future. Ttust the new regime

although i wouldnt mind Williams on a 2 year deal

 

[mike_usagisan]

Honestly, I think 2024 is better simply because of the change at QB. Brissett >>>>>> what we saw last year.

Hopefully, the OL won't get battered by injuries this year. Sow, Mafi, Andrews should all be better in year two. Onwenu should improve as he settles into OT, if that's his place, and look, they've got an actual coach this year, after losing Klemm (hope he's well now).

I'm not optimistic for 2024. But I think 2023 was the bottom of the barrel. Wholly unwatchable.

Amazingly, because I didn't think it was possible, our tackles and wide receivers are worse. Maybe Brisket will make up for that, but he's not going to have time to throw and the people he throws to aren't going to be open.

 

[Joey007]

Just picturing Mayo and Wolf high fiving on day 4, celebrating a victorious offseason.

 

[Ross12]

I think that's looking more and more likely.

We still need a WR1 otherwise 2024 is going to make 2023 look like a capable offense.

I think that just a change in scheme/coaching staff, guys that actually want to work together and are on the same page, and a QB that isn't Mac Jones will improve the offensive output even with the guys who are here now.

I thought BOB had OK schemes, but it was obvious that not everyone under him was on the same page. Klemm seemed to be trying to do things differently with the OL, got frustrated, disappeared and then they had to change the coaching schemes mid-season (again). BOB had too much on his plate with that operation. And Mac was way too deep in his own head making back breaking mental mistakes and seemed to be looking over his shoulder at Zappe constantly afraid of losing his job again and ultimately he did, self-fulfilling prophecy.

AVP, Peters, McCartney and crew actually all chose to work together here and want to be here. They have a working history together. The scheme is easier to digest and understand for players. Jacoby Brissett, even if he is not a premier QB talent, is confident in himself and isn't an INT machine - he's going to give you a baseline level of competency and judgement.

The only WR they've lost is Parker and he really did not do them any favors last year. So I have a hard time seeing any way that the offensive output this year could possibly be any worse that last year considering the above. I'm not saying it would be good right now, but how could it be worse?

 

[Patsgofor4]

While we are waiting for the announcements that the Pats have traded for Sneed and signed Smith and Simmons, check out the “dress” that our daughter chose for her doll this morning, from a bag of clothes that she has outgrown:



That’s my girl!

 

[mike_usagisan]

I think that just a change in scheme/coaching staff, guys that actually want to work together and are on the same page, and a QB that isn't Mac Jones will improve the offensive output even with the guys who are here now.

I think last year it all started with the oline falling apart at the tackles. That gave the QB no time to make a play. I think our tackle situation is as bad and maybe worse than last year right now. We do not have anyone who has played LT with any degree of ability on the team right now. The draft and FA might change that. But I don't see Brisket having the time to make anything happen.

We could try Strange, who has some of the attributes. We could try the guy we picked up from the Steelers, but he last played it in college. We could try Andersen and hope he's recovered from whatever it was. I just don't see how this situation is any better than the crap Bill threw at tackle last year.

 

[PatsFan2]

At this point we might be better off starting a rookie or give Strange snaps at LT.

What's the point of a stop gap for a team that won't be competitive in the new league year.

And yes I fully understand that this will be taken as a negative post, but it is simply the reality.

We are coming off an abysmal 4-13 year and we haven't signed a single difference maker, not even close to it.

Maybe the draft will change that, but until then...

I'll' take resigning Trent Brown.

 

[Ross12]

I think last year it all started with the oline falling apart at the tackles. That gave the QB no time to make a play. I think our tackle situation is as bad and maybe worse than last year right now. We do not have anyone who has played LT with any degree of ability on the team right now. The draft and FA might change that. But I don't see Brisket having the time to make anything happen.

I can understand your point, but at the same time I do not agree. Early in the season they were not playing Onwenu at right tackle which is where a lot of the problems for Mac were coming from - he was seeing the pressure coming off the right side overwhelming the traffic cone playing at that spot and freaking out. They later moved Onwenu there and it solidified things - he wasn't perfect but he brought roughly B- level pass protection which was a big step up. But Mac never really improved and still played like he was seeing ghosts - he ran away from pressure that didn't exist often.

Obviously there's a hole at LT, and Trent Brown was playing well early on last year, but injuries hit later and he missed games, and even when he returned his effort was very inconsistent. So I don't really think that the overall OL as it exists today (assuming Okorafor is the current LT) is demonstrably worse than the OL that they were fielding in front of Zappe the last few games of 2023, and I don't think that OL was really that piss poor. Was it good? No but it was like, C or C+. It can get the job done if your QB is competent and Brissett is competent.

I do think an LT upgrade is still warranted though regardless because there's no depth - Okorafor ideally would be the depth guy.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Honestly, I think 2024 is better simply because of the change at QB. Brissett >>>>>> what we saw last year.

Hopefully, the OL won't get battered by injuries this year. Sow, Mafi, Andrews should all be better in year two. Onwenu should improve as he settles into OT, if that's his place, and look, they've got an actual coach this year, after losing Klemm (hope he's well now).

I'm not optimistic for 2024. But I think 2023 was the bottom of the barrel. Wholly unwatchable.

True, especially the injuries. If you were to list the 10 guys on the team we could least afford to be without , arguably 4 or 5 ended up on ir or largely unavailable. Judon, gonzo, bourne, rham, trent off the top of my head.

Not downplaying the need to improve but thats some awful luck

 

[PatsFan2]

any stud WR or LT in the 2025 draft? just carry over the cap to next year, draft the QB they like at #3, let him sit and learn all year while Jacoby starts, pick top 5 in 2025, draft said stud WR or LT, and spend the cap in next years FA class

at this point there is no reason to start the QB this year unless they want to kill his confidence

I am in favor of taking a QB @ 3 Trade the pick for more picks. Go with one of the Second tier QB's they'll have to sit anyway.

 

[PatsFan2]

Honestly, I think 2024 is better simply because of the change at QB. Brissett >>>>>> what we saw last year.

Hopefully, the OL won't get battered by injuries this year. Sow, Mafi, Andrews should all be better in year two. Onwenu should improve as he settles into OT, if that's his place, and look, they've got an actual coach this year, after losing Klemm (hope he's well now).

I'm not optimistic for 2024. But I think 2023 was the bottom of the barrel. Wholly unwatchable.

IF that's the bar we're in trouble.

 

[50-yard-line]

Amazingly, because I didn't think it was possible, our tackles and wide receivers are worse. Maybe Brisket will make up for that, but he's not going to have time to throw and the people he throws to aren't going to be open.

Our tackles are worse? Sure, for the few games Brown played.

Onwenu was our best RT last year and it wasn't close. With Okorafor and hopefully Anderson (maybe even Sow or Strange), we'll see. And of course, we don't have the final roster yet. What rookie comes in? Do they get Smith or Brown or make a trade?

WRs are the problem, yes, second only to QB. But last year's offense couldn't have been worse.

 

[50-yard-line]

IF that's the bar we're in trouble.

Oh, it's probably going to be a long year.

 

[Ross12]

Patriots ‘didn’t ask’ about 100-catch WR who was traded for cheap (report)

One of the NFL’s most productive WRs was traded for the low, low price of a fourth-round pick -- and the Patriots reportedly didn’t ask about him.

www.masslive.com

According to Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots were in talks with the Chargers earlier this week about some of the players they had available via trade. However, Graff also notes that “they didn’t ask about” Allen and were “instead focusing on other players.”

So apparently Andrew Callahan's report that they tried to trade for Allen but a "4th rounder was too rich" was bunk - they never even asked about Allen, according to the Athletic, and were calling about other players. Depends on who you believe.

I did find it weird that they'd be interested in Allen considering his age and years of high quality play remaining/injury likelihood. Seems like they'd be more likely to go after someone who has a few years left for the rookie QB.