Patriots Rumor The pending UFA: who do we keep? Who walks?

[Joey007]

Very small list of UFA this offseason. But about 5 of the 6 played big roles this year:

Khyiris Tonga
Jaylinn Hawkins
Vederian Lowe
Thayer Munford
K’Lavon Chaisson
Austin Hooper

I think the 3 must keeps for me are Tonga, Hawkins, Lowe. Need Lowe for insurance at LT. Hawkins also is one you almost wonder if you consider a tag for. But I doubt it with how inflated the number is. But he massively impressed me this year.

Chaisson is one I’m open to if it’s for the right price. I don’t want to overpay him, we need to hit big on the edge rush this offseason. Hooper lastly just depends on the market. Wouldn’t be opposed, but also would like to get younger at the position behind Henry. Deep FA market at TE.

 

[TheRainMaker]

The first 3 have the best chance to stay. The last 3 I see walking.

 

[Lagaffe_07]

I would keep Tonga, Hawkins, Lowe and Chaisson

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Munford seems the easiest call to bring back because it's likely a minimum or close to it type of deal. We signed him off a team's practice squad, which is a reflection of how the league sees him and that's a position where you need tons of depth bodies.

Lowe would make sense to bring back, but he's right on that edge where some desperate team trying to find lightning in a bottle with a low cost starter might offer him more money than you want to pay a backup.

You forgot Jack Gibbens at LB who probably falls somewhere between Lowe and Munford. Likely a minimum or close to it depth type contract that is a no brainer to keep, but if anyone offered him any sort of real money probably let him walk.

Tonga plays a devalued position that you're always going to use rotations at so seems like a good guy to bring back for depth. I'd love to see us actually prioritize a dominant NT even though it's not on a lot of people's radars. I think it would unlock a lot on defense if we added that to go with the great 3Ts we have. But Tonga is a good stop gap rotational piece that I would imagine is priced fairly.

Hawkins is a JAG/stop gap type of player IMO. If we upgrade in free agency, he'll be too expensive to pay as a third safety in a scheme that doesn't use that much. But if not, he's a fine guy to keep for stability. Should be looking to upgrade him in the draft though.

Hooper is fine to bring back if they don't upgrade in FA. Considering Henry's age this is a sneaky spot to spend for an upgrade on while it's a want instead of a true "need" though and Hooper might just get displaced through that. Good fall back though.

Chaisson is the big one. You're talking abut a depth type option but a position where depth type options are expensive. I think it really depends on how much money he gets offered and what the other options are. They have to come away from free agency with a starting caliber DE, whether that's Chaisson or someone else. At least one. They'll have to weigh Chaisson's contract value against what else is out there.

 

[upstater1]

Very small list of UFA this offseason. But about 5 of the 6 played big roles this year:

Khyiris Tonga
Jaylinn Hawkins
Vederian Lowe
Thayer Munford
K’Lavon Chaisson
Austin Hooper

I think the 3 must keeps for me are Tonga, Hawkins, Lowe. Need Lowe for insurance at LT. Hawkins also is one you almost wonder if you consider a tag for. But I doubt it with how inflated the number is. But he massively impressed me this year.

Chaisson is one I’m open to if it’s for the right price. I don’t want to overpay him, we need to hit big on the edge rush this offseason. Hooper lastly just depends on the market. Wouldn’t be opposed, but also would like to get younger at the position behind Henry. Deep FA market at TE.

I'd keep all of them for the minimum and cut them if I found better players.

I'm not sold on any of these guys as longtermers.

Durden is already better than Tonga.

Chiasson has disappeared in games and he cannot set the edge (hello Kenneth Walker!!).

Hawkins has too many lapses and he lacks speed.

 

[PatsFan2]

Very small list of UFA this offseason. But about 5 of the 6 played big roles this year:

Khyiris Tonga
Jaylinn Hawkins
Vederian Lowe
Thayer Munford
K’Lavon Chaisson
Austin Hooper

I think the 3 must keeps for me are Tonga, Hawkins, Lowe. Need Lowe for insurance at LT. Hawkins also is one you almost wonder if you consider a tag for. But I doubt it with how inflated the number is. But he massively impressed me this year.

Chaisson is one I’m open to if it’s for the right price. I don’t want to overpay him, we need to hit big on the edge rush this offseason. Hooper lastly just depends on the market. Wouldn’t be opposed, but also would like to get younger at the position behind Henry. Deep FA market at TE.

Might have to keep Lowe now knowing we don't know what we have in Campbell. We have to Resign K’Lavon Chaisson.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I'd keep all of them for the minimum and cut them if I found better players.

I'm not sold on any of these guys as longtermers.

Durden is already better than Tonga.

Chiasson has disappeared in games and he cannot set the edge (hello Kenneth Walker!!).

Hawkins has too many lapses and he lacks speed.

Minimum is harsh for most of these guys, but I certainly agree with your sentiment overall that all of these guys are JAG types.

 

[p8ryts]

Very small list of UFA this offseason. But about 5 of the 6 played big roles this year:

Khyiris Tonga
Jaylinn Hawkins
Vederian Lowe
Thayer Munford
K’Lavon Chaisson
Austin Hooper

I think the 3 must keeps for me are Tonga, Hawkins, Lowe. Need Lowe for insurance at LT. Hawkins also is one you almost wonder if you consider a tag for. But I doubt it with how inflated the number is. But he massively impressed me this year.

Chaisson is one I’m open to if it’s for the right price. I don’t want to overpay him, we need to hit big on the edge rush this offseason. Hooper lastly just depends on the market. Wouldn’t be opposed, but also would like to get younger at the position behind Henry. Deep FA market at TE.

I like Lowe and never thought he was as bad as some on here thought. However, he will not stick around for back up and less money. Some team will see him as an improvement over what they have and pay him more. Would we give him a real shot at competing, probably not, probably should.

 

[yukon cornelius]

the beauty about this off-season is this is likely to be one of the top free agent destinations - going to be a very real Vraebel discount - players are going to be lining up, especially the 'prove it' guys or guys with the chop on their shoulder/something to prove

i think the same holds true for these guys......will be no overpays in that group

 

[RobertWeathers]

the beauty about this off-season is this is likely to be one of the top free agent destinations - going to be a very real Vraebel discount - players are going to be lining up, especially the 'prove it' guys or guys with the chop on their shoulder/something to prove

i think the same holds true for these guys......will be no overpays in that group

I think Drake is also a draw. WRs and TEs will also want to play here. Defensive players as well knowing the offense can put points on the board and their ability to win games is high.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I don't think we can let Chaisson walk, as we're already down a pass rusher and if we lose Chaisson, we probably need to find two.

 

[Rob0729]

Tonga and Lowe. Chaisson if he isn't too expensive.

I think the Pats can upgrade on Hawkins. Reed Blankenship, Kam Curl, and Cody Bryant all can fit into the Pats' split safety scheme and are better players than Hawkins.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Munford seems the easiest call to bring back because it's likely a minimum or close to it type of deal. We signed him off a team's practice squad, which is a reflection of how the league sees him and that's a position where you need tons of depth bodies.

Lower would make sense to bring back, but he's right on that edge where some desperate team trying to find lightning in a bottle with a low cost starter might offer him more money than you want to pay a backup.

I wonder if they think enough of Munford that he can be a swing tackle? If so, it might be enough to let Lowe go as he'll probably get some money thrown at him.

 

[VrabelJr]

Some other team is going to pay Lowe more than we can.

 

[Toofy]

If I am lowe , I would not be resigning here because coach Vrabel did not have any trust in me despite the starting LT playing like crap just so the 4th pick LT confidence is not disturbed . Lowe can definitely get to play a starter elsewhere.

 

[Ross12]

Very small list of UFA this offseason. But about 5 of the 6 played big roles this year:

Khyiris Tonga
Jaylinn Hawkins
Vederian Lowe
Thayer Munford
K’Lavon Chaisson
Austin Hooper

I think the 3 must keeps for me are Tonga, Hawkins, Lowe. Need Lowe for insurance at LT. Hawkins also is one you almost wonder if you consider a tag for. But I doubt it with how inflated the number is. But he massively impressed me this year.

Chaisson is one I’m open to if it’s for the right price. I don’t want to overpay him, we need to hit big on the edge rush this offseason. Hooper lastly just depends on the market. Wouldn’t be opposed, but also would like to get younger at the position behind Henry. Deep FA market at TE.

Keep:
- Hawkins
- Munford
- Chaisson

Walk:
- Tonga
- Lowe
- Hooper

Hawkins will get paid pretty decently to remain the starter opposite Woodson. No real reason to change that right now IMO. Munford will get a relatively cheap deal to be the new Lowe, because Lowe will get paid a chunky sum elsewhere to start for someone. Chaisson will either get extended or franchise tagged and then eventually extended.

Tonga, while I like him, I think will walk because Vrabel and co will feel they can get most of what he brings out of the litany of other DTs they have rostered. They've been good at finding those players and won't want to pay a big sum for Tonga. But perhaps Tonga is willing to take a modest amount to stay because he loves it here, and if so, I could see him staying. I've already mentioned Lowe above; for Hooper, I just don't see a reason to keep him currently unless he's willing to take a very cheap deal. I am pretty sure they'll sign a high end TE1 in free agency, and either cut Henry or make Henry the TE2.

 

[PatsFan2]

If I am lowe , I would not be resigning here because coach Vrabel did not have any trust in me despite the starting LT playing like crap just so the 4th pick LT confidence is not disturbed . Lowe can definitely get to play a starter elsewhere.

T-Rex made V-Lowe some $$$$$$$$ last night.

 

[upstater1]

Keep:
- Hawkins
- Munford
- Chaisson

Walk:
- Tonga
- Lowe
- Hooper

Hawkins will get paid pretty decently to remain the starter opposite Woodson. No real reason to change that right now IMO. Munford will get a relatively cheap deal to be the new Lowe, because Lowe will get paid a chunky sum elsewhere to start for someone. Chaisson will either get extended or franchise tagged and then eventually extended.

Tonga, while I like him, I think will walk because Vrabel and co will feel they can get most of what he brings out of the litany of other DTs they have rostered. They've been good at finding those players and won't want to pay a big sum for Tonga. But perhaps Tonga is willing to take a modest amount to stay because he loves it here, and if so, I could see him staying. I've already mentioned Lowe above; for Hooper, I just don't see a reason to keep him currently unless he's willing to take a very cheap deal. I am pretty sure they'll sign a high end TE1 in free agency, and either cut Henry or make Henry the TE2.

If Chiasson gets a franchise tag, he's going to run to sign it!

 

[mike_usagisan]

I do wonder what happens with Landry. I assume he'll try to recover and come back next year.

 

[Lagaffe_07]

I do wonder what happens with Landry. I assume he'll try to recover and come back next year.

He played relatively well before his injury. He will be back next year. Didn’t he sign a 3 year deal?

He was injured and he is a Vrabel guy. No way is cut this offseason.