Offseason player acquisition thread

[imahobgoblin]

I'm not crazy about Onwenu at RT. He was overweight and out of shape when he played RG this past season. I'd put Wallace in their at RT right from Mini-Camps and beyond to see if he can be the solution at RT. And, there are options in FA for even an improvement at RT in the short-term. Then use a later round draft pick for someone who could step in at RT in their 2nd season. I absolutely want Jackson at LT. I wouldn't take Campbell in the Top 10 (as there would be plug and play LG's after the 1st Round in the Draft). And even in a trade back in the 1st Round I'd rather have Jalon Walker, Tyler Warren, and a couple of other players before Campbell.

It would be nice if Strange turns into a solid Center (but I'd still draft one).

We can't use 2024 against anyone on this team, including Owenu. Those coaches were lost and had not idea what to do on that line. Owenu was a good RT in 2023, and is now paid like one. I doubt Vrabel will put up with being out of shape.

 

[JohnJH]

We can't use 2024 against anyone on this team, including Owenu. Those coaches were lost and had not idea what to do on that line. Owenu was a good RT in 2023, and is now paid like one. I doubt Vrabel will put up with being out of shape.

Indeed. Last years coaching staff was a Clown Show at best. Vrabel will tell Onwenu (and any other player currently on the team for that matter), to shape up (physically and mentally), or ship out!

 

[DaBruinz]

I watched tape every week, Robinson wasn't good in any game, stats don't adjust for tape. He looked better against certain players and certain schemes but he has a lot of work to do and is not a starting guard you can count on.

Why would you think I was referring to LAYDEN Robinson when my response was to your suggestion of signing Cam Robinson?

 

[DaBruinz]

Matt Pearl is a RT. yes, perhaps he can push Wallace.

However, we NEED a backup LT, and one that can ALSO push Wallace at RT.

I suspect that Lowe will be in camp since he is under contract and is a possibility for the 4th OT spot. This is the role that some thought he came here for: backup bottom of the roister swing OT. That he has been injured and a failure as a starter on a truly horrible line is somewhat beside the point.

Matt Peart (not Pearl) can play MULTIPLE Positions. Not just RT. If you bothered to read earlier posts I made about him, he can play along the interior as well. Kind of like Russ Hochstein or Brandon Gorin.

 

[DaBruinz]

If I could get any team to take Onwenu and give us even a 7th Round Pick, but they take at least 75% of his contract and we replace him with Smith, I'm good with that. More importantly, we need Alaric Jackson at LT!!! Maybe Vrabel gets Onwenu to get off of his ass and get down to the weight that he needs to be at, and get his conditioning to and maintain at the proper level.

I love people like yourself who throw out opinions that aren't supported by facts.

How do you know that Onwenu was over-weight? How do you know that the issue wasn't the coaching? How do you know that his conditioning was an issue? How do you know the issue wasn't that he was trying to do too much because the Coaches stunk??

Wanting to jettison a guy because the Coaching stunk is ridiculous.

 

[JohnJH]

I love people like yourself who throw out opinions that aren't supported by facts.

How do you know that Onwenu was over-weight? How do you know that the issue wasn't the coaching? How do you know that his conditioning was an issue? How do you know the issue wasn't that he was trying to do too much because the Coaches stunk??

Wanting to jettison a guy because the Coaching stunk is ridiculous.

How do you know that he wasn't overweight? How do you know that his conditioning was desirable? That the Coaches stunk is so obvious that a blind person could see it. I love how people like yourself believe that they are not only smarter than pretty much everybody else, but that you're pretty much infallible.

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

So nobody likes that Guy below former Jets player who looks the part for the Eagles. Was supposed to be a Franchise Tackle but found a home @ Guard. Mekhi Becton got excellent Coaching in Philly and might now be reaching his potential he's 25 I think... thoughts.

I remember seeing articles about he he is such a bust blah blah blah then goes to Iggles and you know the rest. Goes to show you 1. What a **** show the jete’s are 2. What a change of scenery does for some guys and 3. What good coaching can accomplish. Textbook…

 

[TheRainMaker]

If I could get any team to take Onwenu and give us even a 7th Round Pick, but they take at least 75% of his contract and we replace him with Smith, I'm good with that. More importantly, we need Alaric Jackson at LT!!! Maybe Vrabel gets Onwenu to get off of his ass and get down to the weight that he needs to be at, and get his conditioning to and maintain at the proper level.

If the Pats trade him after June 1st, it would only be a $7.5M dead cap for 2025 and 2026. He'd have to go to a contending team that is in dire need of OL. He was not worthy of signing last off-season, but since the cap keeps going up, his contract isn't hindering the team in any way. However, I see them most likely letting him go after 2025 unless he has a better season as his cap hit will be $25M for 2026.

With that said, he's by far the most overrated Pats OL in the last 25 years.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I think that's easier said than done. There are 4 starting caliber LTs available, IMO: Stanley, Jackson, Moore Jr., Robinson. I think signing two of them would be incredibly difficult because it's such a scarce position. Once you take one off the board, everyone else gets that much more desperate. I think the price on all 4 will be sky high so signing a second wouldn't make sense, IMO.

The next tier of OTs (left or right)...

Tyron Smith - old, can't be counted on as more than 1 year stop gap, no RT experience if he's the second addition after one above for LT
Morgan Moses - old, can't be counted on as more than 1 year stop gap
Kelvin Beachum - old, can't be counted on as more than 1 year stop gap, limited RT experience
Jedrick Wills Jr. - reclamation project, hasn't been good
Trent Brown - been there, done that

Then a bunch of part time starters and swing tackle types.

Realistically, I don't see much flexibility to sign 2 long term starting OTs because I can't see anyone being the high bidder on two of those top 4 FAs. Position is too premium to land both at what costs will be IMO.

You could sign a stop gap RT, but then I go back to Onwenu's deal being set up to be let go next year. Effectively, he's a stop gap himself at RG. And since Andrews is here for probably 1 year at most, Strange's long term position might be center if he sticks around. Sow and Robinson have been garbage so far, so even if guard is just a need for now, it could be our biggest team need next year when Onwenu is cut for cap savings and Strange is either a FA or back and moved to center to replace Andrews. And while I don't see a long term RT for us to sign (after landing one of the top 4 for LT, of course), I do see some long term Guard options available. So I'd rather sign one of those guys and make Onwenu that stop gap RT, to accommodate a long term option at guard.

That's really what i care more about than any positional priority this offseason. Maye and Gonzo and maybe Barmore/White are the only guys on the entire team I'm actually happy to be projecting as starters for us in 2 years. Every other player we start is a JAG, sucks, or is old IMO. No one else projects to be someone I'm stoked to envision starting for us in 2-3 years. The whole roster basically needs to be churned over in that timeframe, so I don't care what positions they do now vs. next year. Just get as many long term solutions as you can and configure it the way you need to around that. We should get one of those top 4 OTs (ideally Jackson or Moore because of youth), but beyond that, I'd rather target OL guys who are longer term solutions than just jam a stop gap because they pigeon holed themselves into only signing guy at their biggest needs despite an overall terrible roster everywhere.

I think they can get one of the top LT’s, and could get their RT in the draft, or possibly Jack Conklin if Cleveland releases him for cap space, which has been reported as under consideration, and Conklin lives Vrabel. And they can definitely get a guard in the draft, if they don’t like the ones they already have. imo they have too many needs to be signing a position that isn’t a serious need.

 

[KCSVEN]

Why would you think I was referring to LAYDEN Robinson when my response was to your suggestion of signing Cam Robinson?

oops, I apparently am very poor at following that thread, too many Robinsons!

 

[Huckleberry1]

Wr thoughts with tee out of the picture

Christian kirk may be released soon, id take a look. Very productive player, injury shortened season last year but i think collarbones are less concerning than leg injuries on wr’s (staying way clear of diggs). Hes 28 and shouldn’t cost a ton.

Amari cooper? He didn’t produce much last year but that can happen when youre traded midseason. Prior to that he was very productive. Hes 30 so not young but much less likely to hit a cliff than adams or kupp.

Deebo- love watching him but i dont know if hed fit with jmd. The fact that jmd couldn’t get more out of jonnu smith makes me worry about these slasher types, deebo isn’t known for seperation. Not that interested.

Godwin- pass. Kupp and adams are 32

With tee out of the picture I don’t have as much hope at wr just yet, look for help but don’t force anything. Maybe look at kirk or cooper if the salary avg is mid teens, or a cheaper sign like slayton/dyame brown/elijah moore. Unless a young stud becomes available for trade.

Amari Cooper is toast. He was completely useless with Buffalo, and a Josh Allen is an easy QB to put up numbers with.

 

[dliverey44]

You think adding a guy who isn;'t as good as Onwenu and cutting Onwenu makes the team better? Where is your proof that Smith can play either guard position? 4 years in the league and Trey smith has only ever taken snaps at RG.

WTF is a "Pro-Bowl" Caliber lineman? The "Pro-Bowl" is a Flag football game now. It's certainly nothing to be touting as some kind of standard of excellence.

Trey Smith is not even the best free agent GUARD available, let alone the "best free agent player".

I think Smith and Owenu are equals in pass blocking, but Smith is and has been a better run blocker than Owenu at RG. My proof is that I watch football and have seen him succeed at RG, he was 1st team all SEC twice at LG and was moved to RG because the Chiefs had just signed Thuney at LG. That leads me to believe that he will be able to play LG at a high level.

I am with you that the Pro Bowl does not mean anything and it would be ridiculous to cut or trade Owenu. I am curious who you think the best FA guard is?

 

[dliverey44]

They need a LT and a Swing Tackler who can push Wallace. Matt Peart would be a great candidate for that.

Some in the Denver media thought that Jacobs played better Peart last pre season. Why are you in on Peart instead of Jaylon Moore or Justin Skule? Just curious and I like player discussion.

 

[dliverey44]

Wr thoughts with tee out of the picture

Christian kirk may be released soon, id take a look. Very productive player, injury shortened season last year but i think collarbones are less concerning than leg injuries on wr’s (staying way clear of diggs). Hes 28 and shouldn’t cost a ton.

Amari cooper? He didn’t produce much last year but that can happen when youre traded midseason. Prior to that he was very productive. Hes 30 so not young but much less likely to hit a cliff than adams or kupp.

Deebo- love watching him but i dont know if hed fit with jmd. The fact that jmd couldn’t get more out of jonnu smith makes me worry about these slasher types, deebo isn’t known for seperation. Not that interested.

Godwin- pass. Kupp and adams are 32

With tee out of the picture I don’t have as much hope at wr just yet, look for help but don’t force anything. Maybe look at kirk or cooper if the salary avg is mid teens, or a cheaper sign like slayton/dyame brown/elijah moore. Unless a young stud becomes available for trade.

I am driving the in on Elijah Moore train. I love the way he runs routes and he is able to separate well, he is especially good vs zone imo. he has good speed, can play inside and out he will also be inexpensive.

He has a sub 60% catch percentage but I don't think that tells the full story. Catch percentage is all receptions/all targets, it does not take into account inaccurate throws. Player profiler has a stat called true catch rate which is receptions/catchable targets

Elijah Moore Stats & Fantasy Ranking - PlayerProfiler

Elijah Moore player profile featuring career stats, fantasy ranking, & analytics data. See combine scores, SPARQ, measurables, and comparable players.

www.playerprofiler.com

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I am driving the in on Elijah Moore train. I love the way he runs routes and he is able to separate well, he is especially good vs zone imo. he has good speed, can play inside and out he will also be inexpensive.

He has a sub 60% catch percentage but I don't think that tells the full story. Catch percentage is all receptions/all targets, it does not take into account inaccurate throws. Player profiler has a stat called true catch rate which is receptions/catchable targets

Elijah Moore Stats & Fantasy Ranking - PlayerProfiler

Elijah Moore player profile featuring career stats, fantasy ranking, & analytics data. See combine scores, SPARQ, measurables, and comparable players.

www.playerprofiler.com

Kinda crazy hes only 24 as well, though he does turn 25 soon. Im in on him as well too, as much i wanted to splurge at wr itd probably be better than overspending on a bigger name whos on the downswing

 

[Wozzy]

I think they can get one of the top LT’s, and could get their RT in the draft, or possibly Jack Conklin if Cleveland releases him for cap space, which has been reported as under consideration, and Conklin lives Vrabel. And they can definitely get a guard in the draft, if they don’t like the ones they already have. imo they have too many needs to be signing a position that isn’t a serious need.

I've narrowed my list of free agent tackles the Pats should target...

Jedrick Wills (26), Mekhi Becton (27), Oli Udoh (28)... I'd try to bring all three of these guys in. They have the best combination of age and potential upside.

They should also attack the position in the draft, the pick depending how many of these F/A's they land.

Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton, Oli Udoh, Demontrey Jacobs, Sidy Sow, Caedan Wallace and a rookie.... they should be able to fill two (Left/Right) offensive starter positions, find a backup swing tackle and have someone on the practice squad.

 

[dliverey44]

I've narrowed my list of free agent tackles the Pats should target...

Jedrick Wills (26), Mekhi Becton (27), Oli Udoh (28)... I'd try to bring all three of these guys in. They have the best combination of age and potential upside.

They should also attack the position in the draft, the pick depending how many of these F/A's they land.

Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton, Oli Udoh, Demontrey Jacobs, Sidy Sow, Caedan Wallace and a rookie.... they should be able to fill two (Left/Right) offensive starter positions, find a backup swing tackle and have someone on the practice squad.

The problem with that list is that none of those guys are a LT. Add in Alaric Jackson and I think its a great list, Wills has talent but the LT experiment that the Browns went through with him was terrible and he needs to go back to RT.

Its also been brought up that Wills might not be all in on football.

 

[Wozzy]

The problem with that list is that none of those guys are a LT. Add in Alaric Jackson and I think its a great list, Wills has talent but the LT experiment that the Browns went through with him was terrible and he needs to go back to RT.

Its also been brought up that Wills might not be all in on football.

I think we need to ask ourselves why the Rams, who are good cap shape, would be willing to let Alaric Jackson walk. He wasn't a good athlete leaving college, shades of Okorafor... played a lot but not very well.

As far as left tackle versus right tackle, if they get athletic bodies into camp they can work it out. Better coaching, better scheme. They need to do their homework on all these free agents, see where their health and heads are at.

 

[TommyD4207]

I love people like yourself who throw out opinions that aren't supported by facts.

How do you know that Onwenu was over-weight? How do you know that the issue wasn't the coaching? How do you know that his conditioning was an issue? How do you know the issue wasn't that he was trying to do too much because the Coaches stunk??

Wanting to jettison a guy because the Coaching stunk is ridiculous.

Onwenu was a straight up bum last year. Made the most money on the team - it shouldn't matter how badly the coaching sucked (it did), he should at least play average, he didn't. Not at right tackle, not at right guard. He was awful.

He played pretty well 3 years ago, and he's been coasting from the fan base ever since, based on that.
If we can't be honest about how these guys actually played - last year, not 3 years ago - then it will never get any better here.

 

[JohnJH]

As far as Player Acquisitions are concerned, how many of you would trade Stevenson to another team even if they only gave you a late round pick, but it not only took most of his contract, but they signed A.J. Dillon instead (who's 3 months younger and a FA)? I'm just curious as to what folks on here would think about that.