Alex Barth's post-OTAs "way too early" roster projection

[Ring 6]

Efton Chism signed a three-year rookie deal with the New England Patriots that includes $234,000 in guaranteed base salary and a $25,000 signing bonus. This makes his deal the richest among the Patriots' undrafted rookies and includes more guaranteed money than their seventh-round draft picks, according to Yahoo Sports

I was off on the numbers, this is the actual deal.

Do you really think $234,000 is meaningful and has any impact on a player making the roster?

 

[Ring 6]

I suspect that one of the Robinson's will be a backup OG.

For me, this is one our weakest position now that Schweitzer has retired. We'll see, but I wouldn't be surprised with a veteran to replace Schweitzer as our backup LG (or starter if Strange doesn't fit. Strange SHOULD be good enough for this year.

It’s no different after Schweitzer retired than it was before he did

 

[WazzuWheatfarmer]

That's why I say he's the forgotten man.. think about last season all the big plays for TDs Drake had.. went to Boutte.. Texans, Jaguars, bills games for example. Boutte and his development is trending upwards. He has a place in this offense. Boutte was the only one who could consistent get open on the outside last season. Some have mentioned about Larison.. I doubt he makes the 53.

Agree. I think Boutte will make the team. A lot of people do t realize that he was once widely thought of as a first round prospect during his freshman year at LSU. I think he’s maturing and I think he is talented.

 

[Real fan 02]

Agree. I think Boutte will make the team. A lot of people do t realize that he was once widely thought of as a first round prospect during his freshman year at LSU. I think he’s maturing and I think he is talented.

Yes. Also keep in mind guys like Bourne, rham, Henry for example have already played for Josh in 2021. So that's huge for Drake as those are key guys for him. Diggs looks great. We'll see how it goes in camp when the dog days of summer come. But yes Boutte he's really grown on me and he's a guy that was drafted here and developing.. we need to keep farm system guys.

 

[rochrist]

Do you really think $234,000 is meaningful and has any impact on a player making the roster?

It isn't the amount, it's more that they were willing to outbid six other teams to sign him.

 

[Ring 6]

It isn't the amount, it's more that they were willing to outbid six other teams to sign him.

So that means 7 of the 32 teams who didn’t think he was worth drafting thought he was worth being one of 90 on the roster?
I’m not sure what you are implying that indicates? That he has a good chance of making the team?

 

[JoeSixPat]

It isn't the amount, it's more that they were willing to outbid six other teams to sign him.

No doubt they were more keen on him than other UDFAs, but like everyone, he'll have to play his way on to the roster.

Yes, they'd have to eat the $234k if they cut him, but that's on par with what a 6th round pick gets for guaranteed money.

For comparison, the Patriot's own Mr. Irrelevant has a guarantee of $203k

Kobee Minor Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

I'd expect we see a higher than normal crop of UDFAs regardless, as developmental guys will get the spots that would typically go to veteran roster depth on a contending team

But I'd also be mindful that Vrabel will be eyeing the cuts from other teams and some of those "reaches" on Barth's list may be replaced by young veterans with something to prove (kindof like a young LB with no career starts who Pittsburgh let go in 2001!)

 

[Real fan 02]

No doubt they were more keen on him than other UDFAs, but like everyone, he'll have to play his way on to the roster.

Yes, they'd have to eat the $234k if they cut him, but that's on par with what a 6th round pick gets for guaranteed money.

For comparison, the Patriot's own Mr. Irrelevant has a guarantee of $203k

Kobee Minor Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

I'd expect we see a higher than normal crop of UDFAs regardless, as developmental guys will get the spots that would typically go to veteran roster depth on a contending team

But I'd also be mindful that Vrabel will be eyeing the cuts from other teams and some of those "reaches" on Barth's list may be replaced by young veterans with something to prove (kindof like a young LB with no career starts who Pittsburgh let go in 2001!)

Vrabel said he puts an emphasis on the entire roster from drafted to undrafted. This has become more common with teams guarantee money to UDFA.

Spillane was such, and Vrabel went into detail on how he had to fight his way to where he is now, same with Eliss. He has a soft spot for UDFAs ,and I love to see guys like Chism for example making people pay attention. It wouldn't suprise me to see at least 2 or 3, UDFA make the roster even on the PS.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Yes, they'd have to eat the $234k if they cut him, but that's on par with what a 6th round pick gets for guaranteed money.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, UDFA contracts are written so that the guarantee applies to any salary paid by any team. A team only has to "eat" the guarantee if the player turns out so bad that he doesn't end up on any team's roster.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Agree. I think Boutte will make the team. A lot of people do t realize that he was once widely thought of as a first round prospect during his freshman year at LSU. I think he’s maturing and I think he is talented.

The thought that Boutte isn't going to make the team has got to stop. He was the 2nd targeted WR, 2nd in yards, averaged the most yards per catch, tied for most TD's, but had the most plays of 20 yards or more with 11.

He's a lock while Bourne, Polk, Hollins and Baker are fighting for spots.

 

[n1997y]

But I'd also be mindful that Vrabel will be eyeing the cuts from other teams and some of those "reaches" on Barth's list may be replaced by young veterans with something to prove (kindof like a young LB with no career starts who Pittsburgh let go in 2001!)

Did that kid ever amount to anything?

Or was he just another one of BB’s many attempts to turn another team’s trash into treasure? Earlier version of Kyle Van Noy iirc.

(jk)

 

[TheRainMaker]

It's not looking good for Jennings. Too many posters and media completely overrated this guy for absolutely no reason since he was drafted. He's fine against the run, but this isn't the 90's or even the early 2000's. You have to rush the passer to keep a job in this league and he's been atrocious at that.

Karen Guregian on what she's seen so far:

"During OTAs and minicamp, however, Jennings appears to have fallen way down the depth chart," Guregian wrote. "He’s been nowhere near the first unit. Or the second unit. His precipitous drop is curious, to say the least. He doesn’t fall into the leader category, with most captains from the recent past being shipped out. Based on his usage, or lack thereof, Jennings could be a prime cut candidate."

Patriots LB Could Be In Deep Trouble

The New England Patriots have spent quite a bit of time repairing their defense this offseason, as the unit displayed serious signs of decline in 2024. The Patr

www.si.com

 

[Brick27]

It's not looking good for Jennings. Too many posters and media completely overrated this guy for absolutely no reason since he was drafted. He's fine against the run, but this isn't the 90's or even the early 2000's. You have to rush the passer to keep a job in this league.

Karen Guregian on what she's seen so far:

"During OTAs and minicamp, however, Jennings appears to have fallen way down the depth chart," Guregian wrote. "He’s been nowhere near the first unit. Or the second unit. His precipitous drop is curious, to say the least. He doesn’t fall into the leader category, with most captains from the recent past being shipped out. Based on his usage, or lack thereof, Jennings could be a prime cut candidate."

Patriots LB Could Be In Deep Trouble

The New England Patriots have spent quite a bit of time repairing their defense this offseason, as the unit displayed serious signs of decline in 2024. The Patr

www.si.com

Glass half-full thought on this is that it’s a good thing for the team if the other guys look to be ahead of him and are showing separation on the depth chart. At this point want each position and position group to be as competitive as possible.

 

[Huckleberry1]

No doubt they were more keen on him than other UDFAs, but like everyone, he'll have to play his way on to the roster.

Yes, they'd have to eat the $234k if they cut him, but that's on par with what a 6th round pick gets for guaranteed money.

For comparison, the Patriot's own Mr. Irrelevant has a guarantee of $203k

Kobee Minor Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

I'd expect we see a higher than normal crop of UDFAs regardless, as developmental guys will get the spots that would typically go to veteran roster depth on a contending team

But I'd also be mindful that Vrabel will be eyeing the cuts from other teams and some of those "reaches" on Barth's list may be replaced by young veterans with something to prove (kindof like a young LB with no career starts who Pittsburgh let go in 2001!)

I’m pretty sure Vrabel was a free agent.

 

[Huckleberry1]

It's not looking good for Jennings. Too many posters and media completely overrated this guy for absolutely no reason since he was drafted. He's fine against the run, but this isn't the 90's or even the early 2000's. You have to rush the passer to keep a job in this league and he's been atrocious at that.

Karen Guregian on what she's seen so far:

"During OTAs and minicamp, however, Jennings appears to have fallen way down the depth chart," Guregian wrote. "He’s been nowhere near the first unit. Or the second unit. His precipitous drop is curious, to say the least. He doesn’t fall into the leader category, with most captains from the recent past being shipped out. Based on his usage, or lack thereof, Jennings could be a prime cut candidate."

Patriots LB Could Be In Deep Trouble

The New England Patriots have spent quite a bit of time repairing their defense this offseason, as the unit displayed serious signs of decline in 2024. The Patr

www.si.com

She has a pretty good read on what’s going on with the Patriots.

 

[Thunderhead]

Agree. I think Boutte will make the team. A lot of people do t realize that he was once widely thought of as a first round prospect during his freshman year at LSU. I think he’s maturing and I think he is talented.

100%. Said it before that I'll be pissed if Boutte is cut in favor of "best hands in the league" or wheelchair guy.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I’m pretty sure Vrabel was a free agent.

He was.

 

[Real fan 02]

It's not looking good for Jennings. Too many posters and media completely overrated this guy for absolutely no reason since he was drafted. He's fine against the run, but this isn't the 90's or even the early 2000's. You have to rush the passer to keep a job in this league and he's been atrocious at that.

Karen Guregian on what she's seen so far:

"During OTAs and minicamp, however, Jennings appears to have fallen way down the depth chart," Guregian wrote. "He’s been nowhere near the first unit. Or the second unit. His precipitous drop is curious, to say the least. He doesn’t fall into the leader category, with most captains from the recent past being shipped out. Based on his usage, or lack thereof, Jennings could be a prime cut candidate."

Patriots LB Could Be In Deep Trouble

The New England Patriots have spent quite a bit of time repairing their defense this offseason, as the unit displayed serious signs of decline in 2024. The Patr

www.si.com

I saw that as well. Yeah.. I mean.. we need depth if anything he figures to be in the rotation. The guys not much a rusher but he's a stud setting the edge. Those guys are always wanted. I trust Vrabel to fully evaluate his roster. Im a fan of Jennings, but I'd understand if he wasn't a fit. I'm guessing camp would tell us alot more.

 

[mgteich]

he's a stud setting the edge.

If Vrabel agrees, he’ll make the 53.

 

[Zuma]

If Vrabel agrees, he’ll make the 53.

I think you’re on to something there