What’s our plan at Wide Receiver?

[Real fan 02]

Agreed. Even if they had gotten Stanley, he wasn't considered a long-term answer either. But, if he stayed healthy, he would have been a solid OL stabilizing and positive mentoring force to the rest of the OL players who could have possibly given us 2 to 3 years of solid LT play while we found his replacement. In reality, even if they find their LT of the future in this draft (wherever that LT is drafted), they just need much better LT play from whoever (even if it's short-term). I have no idea what their specific plans regarding this are.

That's just it. "If".. if, ifs were a 5th We all be drunk lol... 36 games missed since 2019.. as opposed to Moses at RT whole actually plays through injuries and is older.. I absolutely love hunter, Carter as draft prospects.. but the best OT for the new England Patriots is getting ready to finish up at LSU. People spoke on memebou sure take him too. Gather as many OTs as possible get them in the program and let them develop and carve out roles for themselves. The franchise in Drakes blindside must be protected..

Also take into account how Drakes abilities help out an OL. Drakes not going to just sit back and take hits he's going to get outside the pocket.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I would not be surprised if the Pats waited til Kupp was cut, then actually paid him MORE than he's making now, at least as far as guarantees. Let's say - 2 years (plus a void year), $36M with a $25M signing bonus. First year salary of $1M (gtd), $8.3M per year in bonus proration, so first year cap hit is only about $9.3M. Second year salary of $10M, $8.3M bonus proration, second year cap hit around $18.3M. Then $8.3M in dead money in third year. Add some incentives to make it sound nice. Would be reported as "2 years, up to $40M with $26M fully guaranteed"

If they're not putting void years on their top targets, not sure why they would on the second and third tier guys.

It really doesn't make sense for us to do that. What is a realistic "window" for them to compete? The next 1-2 years or the 1-2 years after that. I'm sure they want to keep making progress, but it's hard to imagine they seriously expect to be better in the next 1-2 years than they do in the 1-2 years after that. So void years make little sense... why would you push cap hits out from the years now where they're still likely to be retooling into the years when they hope to have a more finished product? That's backwards.

And note, that does not mean they're tanking or not trying these next 1-2 years. They definitely want to improve. But that doesn't mean they're going to borrow from future years to squeeze every last drop out of the team either.

 

[mgteich]

If they're not putting void years on their top targets, not sure why they would on the second and third tier guys.

It really doesn't make sense for us to do that. What is a realistic "window" for them to compete? The next 1-2 years or the 1-2 years after that. I'm sure they want to keep making progress, but it's hard to imagine they seriously expect to be better in the next 1-2 years than they do in the 1-2 years after that. So void years make little sense... why would you push cap hits out from the years now where they're still likely to be retooling into the years when they hope to have a more finished product? That's backwards.

And note, that does not mean they're tanking or not trying these next 1-2 years. They definitely want to improve. But that doesn't mean they're going to borrow from future years to squeeze every last drop out of the team either.

What is the avantage of a void year comapared to a non-guaranteed $35M salary instead or a $20M option?

 

[bakes781]

here is the list of available WRs

 

[signbabybrady]

All sounds really interesting. I'm leary ok the Giants as they really wanted to do business with us last year for Drake.. obviously wolf was smart enough not to to it.. lol.. now do you think if Hunter falls to them they would do us solid? They may want Hella capital though??

In my scenario the Giants have to act first as if they don't go up for Ward then the Browns probably stay put and take him. Leaving the Giants to decide between Sanders, Hunter, or trade down and that might not go how we want. If it does go our way we get Hunter and no trade needed.

All that said (including my first post) right now I'm thinking the most likely scenario is Tenn probably takes Carter 1, Ward goes to Cleveland at 2, and that leaves us hoping the Giants go Sanders or that the team they trade with does however I could see someone going up for Hunter just as likely.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

What is the avantage of a void year comapared to a non-guaranteed $35M salary instead or a $20M option?

I'll use the Milton Williams deal as an example. He got a $24M signing bonus on his 4 year deal. That gets spread over the 4 years, so it counts $6M on the cap each year. If they tacked two void years on it, the $24M would get spread over the 6 years so $4M/year.

Tacking on an outrageous salary or option onto the last year of a deal is, in effect, similar to adding a void year. There's definitely some element of that to these deals that are for 3 years on paper but it looks like the player will be released or have his deal redone/extended before the 3rd year so it's "really" a 2 year deal. But so far they really haven't added anything "outrageous" to the last year of their deals.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

All sounds really interesting. I'm leary ok the Giants as they really wanted to do business with us last year for Drake.. obviously wolf was smart enough not to to it.. lol.. now do you think if Hunter falls to them they would do us solid? They may want Hella capital though??

I doubt NFL teams hold grudges for something like that. NE didn't make a public mockery of them or anything. They just didn't want to trade down. If you let something like that get personal you're not going to last as a GM very long.

 

[bakes781]

who wouldn't want this guy?

 

[JayNM]

Kinda nutty that no one has advocated for Cooks being brough back. Is he cooked?

 

[patsinthesnow]

Have Kupp/Douglas play the Edelman/Amendola role
Have Boutte as the placeholder X WR until a #1 WR becomes available (Aiyuk, Higgins, etc.)
See if Polk or Baker show anything in camp

At this point I would be good with this approach & drafting Campbell or Membou in round 1 if Hunter isn’t available.

 

[bakes781]

Or if it's a big target you are looking to add...

 

[Real fan 02]

In my scenario the Giants have to act first as if they don't go up for Ward then the Browns probably stay put and take him. Leaving the Giants to decide between Sanders, Hunter, or trade down and that might not go how we want. If it does go our way we get Hunter and no trade needed.

All that said (including my first post) right now I'm thinking the most likely scenario is Tenn probably takes Carter 1, Ward goes to Cleveland at 2, and that leaves us hoping the Giants go Sanders or that the team they trade with does however I could see someone going up for Hunter just as likely.

I see very interesting scenario I'll say SBB.. one thing is for sure.. having Cowden and being that he was assistant GM with the giants.. it would give us some sway with them at the least. ??

 

[signbabybrady]

Kinda nutty that no one has advocated for Cooks being brough back. Is he cooked?

I don't hate it. Kupp, Cooks, and Hunter or Tet could really change the position. Cooks by himself would kind of feel like Moses to me where I like the signing but I'll like it more after other moves on the OL.

 

[signbabybrady]

I see very interesting scenario I'll say SBB.. one thing is for sure.. having Cowden and being that he was assistant GM with the giants.. it would give us some sway with them at the least. ??

Lol And Vrabel was with Cleveland last year and obviously knows some of the guys in Tenn. Get everyone on the phone and let's lock this thing up.

 

[Ross12]

Or if it's a big target you are looking to add...

I like Tim Patrick, I was mad when they didn't try to get him last year. Not a 1, but solid player.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Kinda nutty that no one has advocated for Cooks being brough back. Is he cooked?

Because he is pretty much a WR 4 now and not 1/2 the player he was.

 

[Real fan 02]

Lol And Vrabel was with Cleveland last year and obviously knows some of the guys in Tenn. Get everyone on the phone and let's lock this thing up.

Lol.. I know right. Get em all on a conference call.. look men.. we want Hunter how do we get him???

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Or if it's a big target you are looking to add...

Wouldn't be a bad flier to take at all actually. In 2020-21 he was a starting caliber X receiver with DEN. Then he missed 2022 and 2023 with injuries. Last year in DET, he managed to start 9 games for a good offense and stay healthy. Coming off back to back missed seasons, there was surely some rust. He's going to be 32 next year so probably in a decline phase, but generally guys are better in year 2 back from injury (0r injuries plural in his case) so I'd venture that he could be better in 2025 than he was last year in 2024.

Like I said, it's a "flier". Not touting him as a big time solution to anything. But they currently have only one single actual X receiver on the roster and he isn't even starting caliber, so nothing wrong with adding one more guy to the mix for competition.

 

[Patsfan1645]

Kinda nutty that no one has advocated for Cooks being brough back. Is he cooked?

Dude is 31.....if he isnt cooked he is at least well done.

 

[signbabybrady]

Dude is 31.....if he isnt cooked he is at least well done.

Par-cooked