Offseason player acquisition thread

[Joey007]

I do expect Vrabel to lure in a couple ex Titans from that connection.

Nick Westbrook Ikhine and Dillon Radunz are a couple names I’d keep an eye on. Maybe the Titans are looking to move off Harold Landry?

 

[JohnJH]

Just so I understand, because center is so important it is not enough to have Strange, Andrews, Andrews, Brown plus whichever minor free agent we add. It is necessary to draft a center, even he isn't the BPA.

Yes. And it doesn't have to be in the first 4 rounds (unless it's someone that is that good that they can start on Day 1 if needed and is better than what we have, even if a primary backup).

 

[mgteich]

We have to exercise the 5th year option this offseason, by around May 1. It’s going to cost over $17m and is fully guaranteed. There is no way the Pats will exercise the option on Strange at that cost given his injury history and position flux.

Agreed.

So, we have Strange signed for 2025 and can consider whether we want to make an offer this off-season to extend him or whether to wait.

 

[Water Boy]

We have to exercise the 5th year option this offseason, by around May 1. It’s going to cost over $17m and is fully guaranteed. There is no way the Pats will exercise the option on Strange at that cost given his injury history and position flux.

Oh crap. I didn't realize the cap hit would be that high.

He could be a sneaky good FA acquisition that needs an athletic guard/back up OC.

 

[mgteich]

Yes. And it doesn't have to be in the first 4 rounds (unless it's someone that is that good that they can start on Day 1 if needed and is better than what we have, even if a primary backup).

Sure, if we can find a Day One 1 starter in the 3rd or 4th that will be better in 2025 than Strange or Andrews, then we should draft him?

 

[JohnJH]

Sure, if we can find a Day One 1 starter in the 3rd or 4th that will be better in 2025 than Strange or Andrews, then we should draft him?

Yes. Center (especially an incredibly solid one) is almost as important as a high quality Tackle/Tackles.

 

[captain stone]

Sure, if we can find a Day One 1 starter in the 3rd or 4th that will be better in 2025 than Strange or Andrews, then we should draft him?

Or 5th or 6th rounds...

 

[dliverey44]

My current wish list is raising the level of the entire roster rather than getting a few superstars. The following additions would put us at 67 players on the roster prior to the draft. These additions would leave us 21.1M in cap space, I did not get fancy with changing salaries by year and did not project guarantees. So this leaves 21.1M not including draft and 25.1 in 2026. They could get creative in contract structures, so they could get more out of the money they have. Thoughts?

TE​	Hooper​	1/5M​
CB​	Alex Austin​	2/5M​
LT​	Jaylon Moore​	3/27M​
LG​	Teven Jenkins​	4/62M​
LB​	Christian Ellis​	ROFR/3.185M​
LB​	Zack Baun​	3/43M​
CB​	Paulson Adebo​	3/39M​
Edge​	Josh Sweat​	3/49.8M​
DT​	BJ Hill​	3/33M​
WR​	Nick Westbrook​	2/4.6M​
S​	Elijah Molden​	3/33M​
OT​	Justin Skule​	3/21M​

 

[bakes781]

With the hype around Terrell Williams as DC do we think it could lure Jeffery Simmons?

He signed a 4 Years, $94,000,000 contract with the Tennessee Titans in 2023. The contract runs through the 2027 season and has an average annual value of $23,500,000.

Simmons for a 3rd round pick ?

 

[TommyD4207]

With the hype around Terrell Williams as DC do we think it could lure Jeffery Simmons?

He signed a 4 Years, $94,000,000 contract with the Tennessee Titans in 2023. The contract runs through the 2027 season and has an average annual value of $23,500,000.

Simmons for a 3rd round pick ?

He would fix so many problems immediately on that line, you'd be crazy not to do it.

 

[bakes781]

He would fix so many problems immediately on that line, you'd be crazy not to do it.

And as these titans Podcasters point out they just drafted Sweat so they seem to be transitioning away from Simmons.

 

[dliverey44]

And as these titans Podcasters point out they just drafted Sweat so they seem to be transitioning away from Simmons.

I can not put into words how bad I want this to happen. Its an early 3rd too so hopefully that would get it done. He had 5 sacks and 45 pressures and he is stout against the run.

 

[mgteich]

WIDE RECEIVER
I expect that we will have signed or traded for a top WR before the end of Day 2 of free agency. I have no guess on who that will be. The open question is whether we will sign a 2nd WR and at what level. Much depends on how Josh values our current five.

I suspect that Bourne will now stay and be a #2 or #3 or even #4. I could see Douglas as the slot (with Polk as the backup. That leaves the new WR, Boutte and Baker on the outside.

I do expect that a 2nd will be brought in to compete, but there will be SIX without him.
====================
TACKLE
My guess is Robinson plus a second OT who would be a starter at RT or a backup at both LT and RT.
======
OTHER
We need to re-sign Hooper and Austin. Jones is up in the air. It might depends on talks with free agents during the 3-day wiindow.

 

[captain stone]

My current wish list is raising the level of the entire roster rather than getting a few superstars. The following additions would put us at 67 players on the roster prior to the draft. These additions would leave us 21.1M in cap space, I did not get fancy with changing salaries by year and did not project guarantees. So this leaves 21.1M not including draft and 25.1 in 2026. They could get creative in contract structures, so they could get more out of the money they have. Thoughts?

TE​	Hooper​	1/5M​
CB​	Alex Austin​	2/5M​
LT​	Jaylon Moore​	3/27M​
LG​	Teven Jenkins​	4/62M​
LB​	Christian Ellis​	ROFR/3.185M​
LB​	Zack Baun​	3/43M​
CB​	Paulson Adebo​	3/39M​
Edge​	Josh Sweat​	3/49.8M​
DT​	BJ Hill​	3/33M​
WR​	Nick Westbrook​	2/4.6M​
S​	Elijah Molden​	3/33M​
OT​	Justin Skule​	3/21M​

I like a lot of the names on that list, though there’s no way I’m paying that much for another Guard, including Jenkins… I’m not drafting any Guards this year either, in Any round (especially if I’m not allowed to trade-down from #4 overall…)

 

[dliverey44]

I like a lot of the names on that list, though there’s no way I’m paying that much for another Guard, including Jenkins… I’m not drafting any Guards this year either, in Any round (especially if I’m not allowed to trade-down from #4 overall…)

I hear ya, but the OL needs to be improved and I have a hard time saying the between Strange, Robinson and Sow will shore it up. Strange may go to Center and the other 2 were/are developmental guys. Jenkins is equally good as a run and pass blocker and that is sorely missed.

 

[mgteich]

I hear ya, but the OL needs to be improved and I have a hard time saying the between Strange, Robinson and Sow will shore it up. Strange may go to Center and the other 2 were/are developmental guys. Jenkins is equally good as a run and pass blocker and that is sorely missed.

It seems unlikely that we are cutting Onwenu, Andrews, Andrews, Brown and Cotton. All should be in camp, competing with Strange, Robinson and Sow. That's 8 players competing for 4-6 IOL positions. We also have the newcomer, another Robinson.
========
It is unlikely that IOL is a very high priority at all.

 

[Thunderhead]

Expecting to be thoroughly disappointed by FA. Will the Pats once again enter the season with the most available cap space in the entire league? Wouldn't be even remotely surprised.

 

[dliverey44]

Why would we cut Owenu, both Andrews? Brown is a FA. I was assuming that Owenu is slotted at RG, DA is the starting Center but he is older and coming off an injury, so its possible that Strange goes to Center. At that point it seems down to Sow and Robinson.

Just because we have a lot of people competing for a spot does not mean that any of them deserve it. I personally would like to solve the LG spot rather than hope that someone steps up.

 

[mgteich]

Why would we cut Owenu, both Andrews? Brown is a FA. I was assuming that Owenu is slotted at RG, DA is the starting Center but he is older and coming off an injury, so its possible that Strange goes to Center. At that point it seems down to Sow and Robinson.

Just because we have a lot of people competing for a spot does not mean that any of them deserve it. I personally would like to solve the LG spot rather than hope that someone steps up.

You seem to suggest a great need at IOL.

My position is that there are many other more pressing needs. Sure, we can sign a high priority LG and spend $10M a year. The alternative is to draft IOL's and see if they work out. You would have us NOT wait.

1) We have three starters in Strange, Andrews and Onwenu.
2) We have Robinson and Jake Andrews as possible starters.
3) David Andrews may be older and his last year, but not necessarily too old to be an effective starter.
4) In addition to the 5 that I expect to be our IOL's, we have Sow, Cotton, T Robinson and Brown. And, sure, we might sign more competition.
5) Brown is an ERFA. He is ours if we want him for camp. Of course, he would get no guarantees of a roster spot.

 

[mgteich]

Expecting to be thoroughly disappointed by FA. Will the Pats once again enter the season with the most available cap space in the entire league? Wouldn't be even remotely surprised.

I agree. I would not be surprised if you are disappointed by FA.