VJCPatriot
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2006
- Messages
- 16,806
- Reaction score
- 5,483
I know a lot of us are looking forward to the 2024 draft since we hold the #3 overall draft pick for the first time in a LONG time. And yes that's going to be very important for our future going forward.
But there's a little thing called free agency that starts on March 13th, 2024, a month before the Draft. And this could be equally important for us.
What free agency offers us is the chance at ready-made proven NFL players. Yes, Robert Kraft has to open up his checkbook, but the Patriots have a LOT of cap space available and there are definitely some impact players out there who could help this team. Currently the Patriots are projected to have $66 million dollars in cap space in the upcoming free agent period, which is the 4th most in the NFL.
Here are the top 150 free agents for 2024 according to PFF: 2024 NFL Free Agent Rankings: Top 150 players set to enter free agency | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics | PFF
I'm going to talk about 4 of them who might be of interest.
First let's take a look at #4 on the list WR Tee Higgins. The guy is still 24, stands 6'4 220 lbs and already has two 1,000 yard seasons to his name in the NFL. Yes he's not coming off his best season, but he had a hamstring injury that kept him out a few weeks. Tee Higgins has the size and physicality to be a possible WR1 for the Patriots. He won't come cheap but I find it doubtful that Cinci can afford to pay Burrows, Chase, and Higgins all at the same time. This could be an opportunity for New England to scoop up a ready made WR to plug into their offense.
Second, at #11 there's Michael Pittman Jr. He's 6'4, 223 and plays more like a TE or a big bodied WR than a deep threat but he is coming off one of his best seasons with 109 catches and 1,150 yards receiving. He's only 26 so he's just entering his early prime and could be the type of weapon this offense has been sorely lacking over recent years.
Next let's consider #13 from the list, WR Mike Evans. He's 6'5, 230 lbs, and a 5-time pro bowler with over 11,000 receiving yards and 94 career touchdowns. No doubt he's just a bona fide proven player. The only downside is that he is 30 now so he has some wear on his tires. But this guy could be your WR1 for the next few years and provide a reliable target and veteran presence for our presumed new QB.
Finally let's not forget the OL. At #14 on the list we have Tyron Smith of the Cowboys. The man is mammoth at 6'5 320 lbs and has been the blindside protector in Dallas for over a decade. He will likely look to cash in. The only downside I see is he's 33 years old. According to PFF, "Among 80 tackles who've played at least 300 pass-blocking snaps, Smith's 89.1 pass-blocking grade ranks first and his 98.2 pass-block efficiency ranks third, per PFF. He's also allowed the sixth-fewest pressures and has yet to allow a sack or quarterback hit." They project him to receive a 10m dollar offer from the Cowboys. Kraft might have to sweeten the pot considerably to get him away from Dallas but he could offer the Patriots offensive line a true anchor to rely upon.
But I'm sure I've missed out on a few guys who could also help us. Who are your favorite free agents that you would like to see join the Patriots in 2024? Would you want a particular player mentioned above to don the Patriots uniform?
But there's a little thing called free agency that starts on March 13th, 2024, a month before the Draft. And this could be equally important for us.
What free agency offers us is the chance at ready-made proven NFL players. Yes, Robert Kraft has to open up his checkbook, but the Patriots have a LOT of cap space available and there are definitely some impact players out there who could help this team. Currently the Patriots are projected to have $66 million dollars in cap space in the upcoming free agent period, which is the 4th most in the NFL.
Here are the top 150 free agents for 2024 according to PFF: 2024 NFL Free Agent Rankings: Top 150 players set to enter free agency | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics | PFF
I'm going to talk about 4 of them who might be of interest.
First let's take a look at #4 on the list WR Tee Higgins. The guy is still 24, stands 6'4 220 lbs and already has two 1,000 yard seasons to his name in the NFL. Yes he's not coming off his best season, but he had a hamstring injury that kept him out a few weeks. Tee Higgins has the size and physicality to be a possible WR1 for the Patriots. He won't come cheap but I find it doubtful that Cinci can afford to pay Burrows, Chase, and Higgins all at the same time. This could be an opportunity for New England to scoop up a ready made WR to plug into their offense.
Second, at #11 there's Michael Pittman Jr. He's 6'4, 223 and plays more like a TE or a big bodied WR than a deep threat but he is coming off one of his best seasons with 109 catches and 1,150 yards receiving. He's only 26 so he's just entering his early prime and could be the type of weapon this offense has been sorely lacking over recent years.
Next let's consider #13 from the list, WR Mike Evans. He's 6'5, 230 lbs, and a 5-time pro bowler with over 11,000 receiving yards and 94 career touchdowns. No doubt he's just a bona fide proven player. The only downside is that he is 30 now so he has some wear on his tires. But this guy could be your WR1 for the next few years and provide a reliable target and veteran presence for our presumed new QB.
Finally let's not forget the OL. At #14 on the list we have Tyron Smith of the Cowboys. The man is mammoth at 6'5 320 lbs and has been the blindside protector in Dallas for over a decade. He will likely look to cash in. The only downside I see is he's 33 years old. According to PFF, "Among 80 tackles who've played at least 300 pass-blocking snaps, Smith's 89.1 pass-blocking grade ranks first and his 98.2 pass-block efficiency ranks third, per PFF. He's also allowed the sixth-fewest pressures and has yet to allow a sack or quarterback hit." They project him to receive a 10m dollar offer from the Cowboys. Kraft might have to sweeten the pot considerably to get him away from Dallas but he could offer the Patriots offensive line a true anchor to rely upon.
But I'm sure I've missed out on a few guys who could also help us. Who are your favorite free agents that you would like to see join the Patriots in 2024? Would you want a particular player mentioned above to don the Patriots uniform?
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