The $2M Solution At WR

Wilfork#75 said:

I think bringing OBJ in would go hand in hand with bringing Brady back. I don't think the issue getting Brady to return is money, I think he wants the weapons around him to succeed. Historically and especially for the Pats, Rookie WRs and TEs don't contribute a lot early on so I think for a legitimate shot in 2020 we need to add veteran weapons. If we can bring OBJ in I think that would get Brady excited for a return and I think OBJ would love the chance to play with the GOAT.

Would the Browns be willing to move him? It's all speculation but I think there are enough reasons to think its a possibility.

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I think that a trio of Brady/OBJ/JE would be a great start. The team really should be looking at trade options for the offensive skill positions, anyway. It combines talent with lower price.

Deus Irae said:

I think that a trio of Brady/OBJ/JE would be a great start. The team really should be looking at trade options for the offensive skill positions, anyway. It combines talent with lower price.

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Agreed. OBJ (or insert true #1 WR here) allows the rest of the WR depth chart to slot in the right places. Sanu is no longer covered by the #2 CB. Edelman gets the 2 and Sanu gets the 3. Those are now mismatches in NE's favor. Add in a competent TE and the offense is looking a whole lot better.

Obviously it's speculation but OBJ seems to have a lot of adoration for TB12 and BB. I think he would be a beast here and we'd quickly see all of the OBJ/TB12 workout videos popping up on social media during the offseason.

Who know what CLE will do? Honestly, does anyone believe that even THEY know what they'll do?

I would consider sending a 6th round pick to the packers for either Equanimeous St. Brown or Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Both are entering the 3rd year of their rookie contracts and each would only cost minimum salary for players of their experience.

Does anyone think Edelman can get through a season semi-healthy? He is already an outlier at his age.

MSPatsFan28 said:

I would consider sending a 6th round pick to the packers for either Equanimeous St. Brown or Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Both are entering the 3rd year of their rookie contracts and each would only cost minimum salary for players of their experience.

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Lol and why would they trade two young, cheap players for peanuts?

203Pat said:

Lol and why would they trade two young, cheap players for peanuts?

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To reinforce the fantasies in this thread.

I doubt he will want to leave SF, but what kind of salary does Emmanuel Sanders require?

For the people looking to keep the money down next year, while impacting the offensive weaknesses:

WR1 - OBJ ($14.25m, with $0 guaranteed, which would make for an easy re-working)
TE1/TE2 - OJ Howard (just under $2m, and could then pick up fifth year option)
Developmental WR gamble a/k/a Phillip Dorsett replacement - Andy Isabella (under $1m, speed guy, and routinely ignored by Murray, according to many who follow the Cardinals)

If they could sign Brady for a deal that kept the cap number down, and re-structure OBJ's deal to lower that hit (his deal runs to 2023, giving plenty of play in terms of money shuffling), that would give you a WR group of

OBJ
Edelman
WR3 (Sanu or other)
Harry
Isabella

a TE pair of

Howard
LaCosse

and still allow for Meyers try crack the roster as a ST/WR6 guy. There should still be draft picks left, and there should still be money left to address the other positions of need. And, maybe they could even get lucky enough to find another TE (see Olsen, Greg) who's still got something in the tank.

I think Beckham would be great, but Isabella did less than Jakobi Meyers on a team with fewer reliable receiving options than the Patriots. The sunk cost fallacy usually prevents a team from giving up on a guy that quickly without getting something meaningful in return and it's far from clear he has more promise than Meyers at this point. (Not that I think Meyers looked like anything special.) But he's also like WR5 so it doesn't mean much.

I think Sanu is probably the most likely bet on that team for a WR3, but I would love Robby Anderson. He'll cost twice as much, though, which means even with cutting Sanu it forces you to put $20m+ of new money into the receiver position (with Beckham and Anderson). I think the only way that happens is if the Patriots win the Brown grievance, which isn't going to happen. But Beckham, Edelman, Anderson is the closest thing to that Moss, Welker, Stallworth lineup of yore.

primetime said:

I think Beckham would be great, but Isabella did less than Jakobi Meyers on a team with fewer reliable receiving options than the Patriots. The sunk cost fallacy usually prevents a team from giving up on a guy that quickly without getting something meaningful in return and it's far from clear he has more promise than Meyers at this point. (Not that I think Meyers looked like anything special.) But he's also like WR5 so it doesn't mean much.

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From what I read, most people put a lot of the blame for Isabella's low production on Murray being too focused on his top 2. It sounds familiar, doesn't it? But, for me, I'm looking at a high speed guy who can play inside or out, and who still has 3 years on his deal, and I'm looking at him catching passes from a guy who sees the game a lot better than a rookie QB (Murray) was doing last year.

primetime said:

I think Sanu is probably the most likely bet on that team for a WR3, but I would love Robby Anderson. He'll cost twice as much, though, which means even with cutting Sanu it forces you to put $20m+ of new money into the receiver position (with Beckham and Anderson). I think the only way that happens is if the Patriots win the Brown grievance, which isn't going to happen. But Beckham, Edelman, Anderson is the closest thing to that Moss, Welker, Stallworth lineup of yore.

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Sanu's $6m on the cap, and is a free cut. It looks like the clearest case of "keep him if you think he can still play. Cut him for the full savings if you don't" that we've seen in a while.

Anderson would be interesting, but I'm not sure of the fit.

Ice_Ice_Brady said:

Does anyone think Edelman can get through a season semi-healthy? He is already an outlier at his age.

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Only if there's another significant WR threat and strong receiving TE to help take the pressure off of him.

Deus Irae said:

From what I read, most people put a lot of the blame for Isabella's low production on Murray being too focused on his top 2. It sounds familiar, doesn't it? But, for me, I'm looking at a high speed guy who can play inside or out, and who still has 3 years on his deal, and I'm looking at him catching passes from a guy who sees the game a lot better than a rookie QB (Murray) was doing last year.

Sanu's $6m on the cap, and is a free cut. It looks like the clearest case of "keep him if you think he can still play. Cut him for the full savings if you don't" that we've seen in a while.

Anderson would be interesting, but I'm not sure of the fit.

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Yeah, Sanu's pretty cheap, you're certainly not going to find a 60 catch guy at that price point in free agency, and he's been a 60 catch guy his whole career (and was on pace for it again through the end of the Ravens game, including his Falcons stats). Emotions run high with the guy but rationally I don't think you cut him unless you absolutely need the space for an absolutely better player.

As for your Isabella stuff, I generally agree with that profile as desirable but think I'd rather spend a 3rd or 4th in this draft. Isabella probably would be a 6th rounder in this year's draft, last year's was really bad for receivers and this year is really good.

I would like to know what color the sky is in the Fantasyland in which the folks who think beckham Jr is going to play for the Pats next season....

There is no way in hell the Browns trade Beckham. They bent over backwards to get him last year and gave up a lot in draft capital to get him.

Also would be super surprised if Bucs gave up on OJ Howard so soon. He was a first rounder still on his rookie contract and it makes no sense for them to let him go while he is still costing them so little.

Chevrolet said:

There is no way in hell the Browns trade Beckham. They bent over backwards to get him last year and gave up a lot in draft capital to get him.

Also would be super surprised if Bucs gave up on OJ Howard so soon. He was a first rounder still on his rookie contract and it makes no sense for them to let him go while he is still costing them so little.

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• Rumors were that Beckham wanted out.
• It was clear that Howard was in the dog house. He's going into year 4, which means that Tampa has to decide about picking up his option. If they aren't sold on doing so, moving him for something might be more appealing to them than having him play out year 4 and then moving on.

You're more then welcome to hunt down other potential options.

Deus Irae said:

• Rumors were that Beckham wanted out.
• It was clear that Howard was in the dog house. He's going into year 4, which means that Tampa has to decide about picking up his option. If they aren't sold on doing so, moving him for something might be more appealing to them than having him play out year 4 and then moving on.

You're more then welcome to hunt down other potential options.

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Fair point, no easy solutions. I do think OBJ would cost a first and a third minimum, if Browns would consider trading him.

What if Brown would consider moving Land instead of OBJ. I would do that for sure.

Chevrolet said:

There is no way in hell the Browns trade Beckham. They bent over backwards to get him last year and gave up a lot in draft capital to get him.

Also would be super surprised if Bucs gave up on OJ Howard so soon. He was a first rounder still on his rookie contract and it makes no sense for them to let him go while he is still costing them so little.

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There was no way in hell the Patriots traded Brandin Cooks until they did. Beckham underperformed a bit last season and was reportedly trying to get out. Wouldn't shock me if they sniffed around dealing him. But yes, it would cost a 1st at minimum.

Chevrolet said:

Fair point, no easy solutions. I do think OBJ would cost a first and a third minimum, if Browns would consider trading him.

What if Brown would consider moving Land instead of OBJ. I would do that for sure.

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Landry runs a similar route tree to James White. He'd be largely superfluous to the Patriots. Hugely overrated player his entire career.

Deus Irae said:

• Rumors were that Beckham wanted out.
• It was clear that Howard was in the dog house. He's going into year 4, which means that Tampa has to decide about picking up his option. If they aren't sold on doing so, moving him for something might be more appealing to them than having him play out year 4 and then moving on.

You're more then welcome to hunt down other potential options.

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Cousin, BB does not light the world on fire Drafting WR. The FA market is fairly week.
Trade for OBJ? $16.75mm? He is still scary.

I have a blockbuster trade in mind that helps both Teams. The Bucs are at $79mm CAP space in 2020 with no QB in place. They need to continue the build under BA. My suggestions would be a "two-fer" .

Mike Evans has become the #2 WR in Tampa Bay. Chris Godwin had more catches and made the Pro Bowl.

Evans contract matches OBJ this year ($16.75mm) but goes down the next two (3 year contract in place). O.J. Howard is in the dog house and under his last year of contract there.

The Pats might have to spend $10mm for a Robbie Anderson or a Cobb or more$ !

Trade in this case works better.

Is our first rounder a good price to pay for Evans (who had twice the TDs as OBJ in 2019) and you recall the Rams gave us a first for Cooks who was good but not Evans?

I would propose Evans and Howard for our 1st and Sony Michel. Ronald Jones was their RB in 2019 and not the greatest. Michel had more yards. But we drafted Harris who was a bell cow at Alabama. He should know the McDaniels system by now.

The Bucs will have to spend $30mm for a QB even if they opt for Winston back. We do
need a QB too but I think the cases are different. Evans and Howard might be the catalyst to have Brady back at perhaps reasonable $.

The Bucs have to step up to the plate on Godwin who is at less than $2.5mm. Their RB room is weak.

WR Perriman is developing very well under BA and they would free up money for him to resign, In fact, they could probably get Godwin and Perriman signed for less than Evans. They also have Watson and Miller at WR.

Would you be content with Evans and Howard?

Both are young. Howard is under contract for one more year and if he does not work out, it does not hurt. This still requires the Pats to find another TE like an Olsen or Henry. One TE pick up is not enough.

PLAN "B": If not. the Bucs need an edge rush/LB. Would a Hightower instead of Michel make sense? Helps the CAP for the Pats for sure. The Bucs need a solid 3/4 outside LB who can rush. So Hightower and our #1 for Evans and Howard.

That move frees up Cap for resigning Collins and maybe Van Noy.

Thoughts?
DW Toys

DW Toys said:

Cousin, BB does not light the world on fire Drafting WR. The FA market is fairly week.
Trade for OBJ? $16.75mm? He is still scary.

I have a blockbuster trade in mind that helps both Teams. The Bucs are at $79mm CAP space in 2020 with no QB in place. They need to continue the build under BA. My suggestions would be a "two-fer" .

Mike Evans has become the #2 WR in Tampa Bay. Chris Godwin had more catches and made the Pro Bowl.

Evans contract matches OBJ this year ($16.75mm) but goes down the next two (3 year contract in place). O.J. Howard is in the dog house and under his last year of contract there.

The Pats might have to spend $10mm for a Robbie Anderson or a Cobb or more$ !

Trade in this case works better.

Is our first rounder a good price to pay for Evans (who had twice the TDs as OBJ in 2019) and you recall the Rams gave us a first for Cooks who was good but not Evans?

I would propose Evans and Howard for our 1st and Sony Michel. Ronald Jones was their RB in 2019 and not the greatest. Michel had more yards. But we drafted Harris who was a bell cow at Alabama. He should know the McDaniels system by now.

The Bucs will have to spend $30mm for a QB even if they opt for Winston back. We do
need a QB too but I think the cases are different. Evans and Howard might be the catalyst to have Brady back at perhaps reasonable $.

The Bucs have to step up to the plate on Godwin who is at less than $2.5mm. Their RB room is weak.

WR Perriman is developing very well under BA and they would free up money for him to resign, In fact, they could probably get Godwin and Perriman signed for less than Evans. They also have Watson and Miller at WR.

Would you be content with Evans and Howard?

Both are young. Howard is under contract for one more year and if he does not work out, it does not hurt. This still requires the Pats to find another TE like an Olsen or Henry. One TE pick up is not enough.

PLAN "B": If not. the Bucs need an edge rush/LB. Would a Hightower instead of Michel make sense? Helps the CAP for the Pats for sure. The Bucs need a solid 3/4 outside LB who can rush. So Hightower and our #1 for Evans and Howard.

That move frees up Cap for resigning Collins and maybe Van Noy.

Thoughts?
DW Toys

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I don’t think Michel has much trade value. RBs are a dime a dozen in the NFL.

Tampa probably wouldn’t want to trade Evans but if they did it would be for a lot of draft capital. 1 and a 3 this year and a 2nd next.