How should the Patriots use their cap $ in 2024 Free Agency?

Step 1 - sign the two Jonas for the offensive line.
Step 2 - sign brisset to have a veteran in the qb room.
Step 3 - if Miami does not franchise Wilkins. Back up the brinks truck to sign him!
Step 4 - fill in roster holes with tier 3 young free agents.

Toofy said:

Henry is around 7 million a year . Freshmen TEs are dime a dozen and produce 400-500 yards / season with 4 -6 TDs and you can get them in 2nd or 3rd round . Sadly we don't know how to draft them . Hence we overpay.

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we are not, are not, are not using a 2nd or 3rd on a TE.

venecol said:

Based on this, Cousins is the only FA QB we should consider. Since he probably won't be available, need to go for a bridge guy like Brissett and pick a QB w/ #3.

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What a terrible list of rankings.

I chose Onwenu from the poll because he’s a big need and signing him is within the Pats control. I’d love a big time free agent receiver but I think most of them will get tagged leaving slim pickings for the Pats.

based on the free agent class I wouldn’t solve offensive tackle in free agency. I want them to draft a tackle and maybe trade for another.

I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of the cap space is spent on players the Pats traded for then extended.

It depends upon who is actually available, but I wouldn’t go for big ticket players, especially if they are able to roll cap money over into the next offseason. I would instead focus on re-signing the young players on defense that they want to keep as their core going forward, and keeping Onwenu. Then I would look for good value cap casualties. If they can keep the defense together, and get their QB, OT’s, and WR’s through the draft they could turn into a really good team by the 2nd half of 25’, and then a contender for 26’ and on from there. But I wouldn’t spend big money for big ticket players for a team that is two years from becoming really competitive. They need to make really smart moves over the next few seasons, not splashy ones.

Ivan said:

It depends upon who is actually available, but I wouldn’t go for big ticket players, especially if they are able to roll cap money over into the next offseason. I would instead focus on re-signing the young players on defense that they want to keep as their core going forward, and keeping Onwenu. Then I would look for good value cap casualties. If they can keep the defense together, and get their QB, OT’s, and WR’s through the draft they could turn into a really good team by the 2nd half of 25’, and then a contender for 26’ and on from there. But I wouldn’t spend big money for big ticket players for a team that is two years from becoming really competitive. They need to make really smart moves over the next few seasons, not splashy ones.

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I agree. For that Kraft has to agree to give leeway to front office and coaching staff. We need to be realistic and aim for postseason as you said in 2026 . If we can get 7+ wins this season it's a winner . All we need is progressive growth.

Until we sort out our qb we need to have at least 10% of cap space rolling ovee every year and have a cap space averaging 50- 60 million YoY.

It’s too bad this free agent class kind of sucks. Just about everyone you would want will be tagged.

Not gonna fault Kraft if they decide to go with low key signings this fa. No need to grossly overpay when someone else may be released in June. Will make them front runners for that players services with money in hand to scoop him up.

Kind of stuck paying Onwenu as the loss will set the oline back in your new QB’s first year.

Toofy said:

I agree. For that Kraft has to agree to give leeway to front office and coaching staff. We need to be realistic and aim for postseason as you said in 2026 . If we can get 7+ wins this season it's a winner . All we need is progressive growth.

Until we sort out our qb we need to have at least 10% of cap space rolling ovee every year and have a cap space averaging 50- 60 million YoY.

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If they make good decisions I think they can make thr playoffs in 25’, but that’s different than being an actual contender, which if they do a really good job overall they could be in 26’. If I was the one making decisions I would approach it with those being the goals and benchmarks, and I would sign a guy like Tannehill to be their starter this season, so the roookie QB can sit and learn while they build the OL and WR/TE units up for him.

Ivan said:

It depends upon who is actually available, but I wouldn’t go for big ticket players, especially if they are able to roll cap money over into the next offseason. I would instead focus on re-signing the young players on defense that they want to keep as their core going forward, and keeping Onwenu. Then I would look for good value cap casualties. If they can keep the defense together, and get their QB, OT’s, and WR’s through the draft they could turn into a really good team by the 2nd half of 25’, and then a contender for 26’ and on from there. But I wouldn’t spend big money for big ticket players for a team that is two years from becoming really competitive. They need to make really smart moves over the next few seasons, not splashy ones.

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The problem with that is we have about 24 FAs in '25 including Barmore, Rham, Peppers, Phillips, Jo Jones and Judon. We need to sign three (3) TEs, WR1, QB1, LT, RT, Swing T, RB2, 3rdD RB just on offense alone. You can't do that all in the draft.

New England Patriots > Current Patriots Roster

Patriot Missile said:

It’s too bad this free agent class kind of sucks. Just about everyone you would want will be tagged.

Not gonna fault Kraft if they decide to go with low key signings this fa. No need to grossly overpay when someone else may be released in June. Will make them front runners for that players services with money in hand to scoop him up.

Kind of stuck paying Onwenu as the loss will set the oline back in your new QB’s first year.

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Yeah agree with this, they could always go to the trade route but not ideal having to give up draft picks.

Patriot Missile said:

It’s too bad this free agent class kind of sucks. Just about everyone you would want will be tagged.

Not gonna fault Kraft if they decide to go with low key signings this fa. No need to grossly overpay when someone else may be released in June. Will make them front runners for that players services with money in hand to scoop him up.

Kind of stuck paying Onwenu as the loss will set the oline back in your new QB’s first year.

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I think that depends upon how you look at it. If they were one of the teams looking to get over the hump and win a Super Bowl, like Dallas, Buffalo, Philly, S.F. etc… then a poor free agent crop would suck. But if you are a team in a serious building phase you shouldn’t really be looking for the big ticket difference makers, but for really solid mid range players to build a good foundation with, and re-signing your core players you want around for the long term. And one of those I would be looking to extend is Judon, who may not be the main guy a couple of years from now, but who has proven to be exactly the kind of leader you want on your team, especially when you be are bringing in many young g players, and are trying to build a really strong culture around. The early Belichick teams were loaded with those kinds of guys, and they built a culture that lasted for years. And veterans like him that may not cost as much are guys you want to bring in for every unit on the team. You want at least one in every room.

venecol said:

The problem with that is we have about 24 FAs in '25 including Barmore, Rham, Peppers, Phillips, Jo Jones and Judon. We need to sign three (3) TEs, WR1, QB1, LT, RT, Swing T, RB2, 3rdD RB just on offense alone. You can't do that all in the draft.

New England Patriots > Current Patriots Roster

NAME	AGE	POS	THRU
Marco Wilson	24	CB	2024
Shaun Wade	25	CB	2024
Myles Bryant	26	CB	2023
Alex Austin	22	CB	2023
Jonathan Jones	30	CB	2024
Jalen Mills	29	FS	2023
Jabrill Peppers	28	FS	2024
Adrian Phillips	31	SS	2024
Kyle Dugger	27	SS	2023
Joshuah Bledsoe	25	SS	2023
Deatrich Wise Jr.	29	DE	2024
Keion White	25	DE	2026
Jeremiah Pharms Jr.	27	DT	2024
Christian Barmore	24	DT	2024
Davon Godchaux	29	DT	2024
Lawrence Guy	33	DT	2024
Sam Roberts	25	DT	2025
Mack Wilson Sr.	26	ILB	2023
Ja'Whaun Bentley	27	ILB	2025
Marte Mapu	24	ILB	2026
Jahlani Tavai	27	ILB	2024
Anfernee Jennings	26	OLB	2023
Christian Elliss	25	OLB	2023
Josh Uche	25	OLB	2023
David Andrews	31	C	2024
Jake Andrews	24	C	2026
Sidy Sow	25	G	2026
James Ferentz	34	G	2023
Atonio Mafi	23	G	2026
Vederian Lowe	24	T	2025
Mike Onwenu	26	T	2023
Trent Brown	30	T	2023
Bailey Zappe	24	QB	2024
Mac Jones	25	QB	2024
Nathan Rourke	25	QB	2023
Ezekiel Elliott	28	RB	2023
Kevin Harris	23	RB	2024
JaMycal Hasty	27	RB	2024
La'Michael Pettway	26	TE	2023
Pharaoh Brown	29	TE	2023
Mike Gesicki	28	TE	2023
DeVante Parker	31	WR	2025
Tyquan Thornton	23	WR	2025
Kayshon Boutte	21	WR	2026
Demario Douglas	23	WR	2026
Jalen Reagor	25	WR	2023
Cody Davis	34	DB	2023
Brenden Schooler	26	DB	2024
Chad Ryland	24	K	2026
Chris Board Jr.	28	LB	2024
Joe Cardona	31	LS	2026
Bryce Baringer	24	P	2026
Matthew Slater	38	WR	2023

William Hooper	23	CB	2023
Breon Borders	28	CB	2023
Kody Russey	25	C	2023
Matt Sokol	28	TE	2023

Christian Gonzalez	21	CB	2026
Isaiah Bolden	24	CB	2026
Marcus Jones	25	CB	2025
Daniel Ekuale	30	DT	2024
Matthew Judon	31	OLB	2024
Raekwon McMillan	28	ILB	2024
Terez Hall	27	ILB	2023
Cole Strange	25	G	2025
Tyrone Wheatley Jr.	27	T	2023
Riley Reiff	35	T	2023
Conor McDermott	31	T	2024
Calvin Anderson	27	T	2024
Rhamondre Stevenson	25	RB	2024
Hunter Henry	29	TE	2023
JuJu Smith-Schuster	27	WR	2025
Tre Nixon	26	WR	2023
Kendrick Bourne	28	WR	2023

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I will try to look at that closer but I have to head out and can’t right now. They obviously have to look at their entire roster and make decisions on who they want their core to be, and prioritize those they want the most, etc…..

The first and most important way to fix the offense... find a QB.

WR's and weapons with no QB are like cars with no engines... useless.

Find a QB and LT in the first two rounds of the draft, then pepper the roster with "weapons" from the third round on.

In free agency… sign Onwenu, two of your three TE’s, Duggar if you can afford him, Uche as well… sign your own best players.

Toofy said:

Henry is around 7 million a year . Freshmen TEs are dime a dozen and produce 400-500 yards / season with 4 -6 TDs and you can get them in 2nd or 3rd round . Sadly we don't know how to draft them . Hence we overpay.

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Except you can't full every position in one draft

farn said:

Justin Herbert Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Justin Herbert. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Where is Cousins to yell “you like that ?” When you need him ?

He’s made the playoffs once and lost the game. If we glorify QBs on wins, we must also critique re: losses. He has stars on O and on D and cannot even manage a .500 record after four years in the league ?

Stats-man who manages to F up at the worst times. If a loser is one who loses more than wins, Herbert is a loser.

His best season is a Mac-esque 10-7. Best season.

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All I see is a guy who plays great despite dysfunctional coaching on a sad franchise. Wish we had him.

Toofy said:

I agree. For that Kraft has to agree to give leeway to front office and coaching staff. We need to be realistic and aim for postseason as you said in 2026 . If we can get 7+ wins this season it's a winner . All we need is progressive growth.

Until we sort out our qb we need to have at least 10% of cap space rolling ovee every year and have a cap space averaging 50- 60 million YoY.

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How much do you think that we rolled over into 2024?

MrBigglesWorth said:

Except you can't full every position in one draft

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Exactly. They're going to have to sign two TEs in FAcy (Schultz & Brown) and draft one, hopefully a guy like Ja'Tavion Sanders.

They need a WR1, so if they don't get MHJ/Nabors/Odunze, they'll need one of the 1st tier receivers in FAcy (Pittman?). There's plenty of WR2/WR3 on the team. Don't re-sign Bourne, use that $ for true WR1.

They have to get three tackles. If they go QB w/ #3, then need RT w/ #34 (Guyton?). Still need a LT. I wouldn't be against signing Tyron Smith even at 33 yo. Sign more OT in later rounds. Onwenu is a RG that'll want RT money. Let him walk.

Need RB2 and 3rd down RB. Plenty of good backs in FAcy. Sign one.

Then there's QB. If they see a high ceiling w/ Maye or Daniels, pick one. Sign a bridge QB in FAcy.

FAs: TE (2), WR1, LT, RB2, bridge QB
Draft: QB1, RT, TE, WR, OT

This is just on O. Obviously need to address D (FS, DT, DE, LB).

Where’s @captain stone ?

mgteich said:

How much do you think that we rolled over into 2024?

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Maybe 15-20 I think . With cap going around 290, I think we can rollover 30 million. We have around 100 - 30 = 70 million with that. Since we are not winning in next 2 years we need to sign contracts where we can get out within next 2 years with limited cap intact on 3rd year . No more Jonnu, juju or agholor type of contracts or the unhealthy ones like reiff and Anderson or ineffective extensions like parker.

Patriot Missile said:

It’s too bad this free agent class kind of sucks. Just about everyone you would want will be tagged.

Not gonna fault Kraft if they decide to go with low key signings this fa. No need to grossly overpay when someone else may be released in June. Will make them front runners for that players services with money in hand to scoop him up.

Kind of stuck paying Onwenu as the loss will set the oline back in your new QB’s first year.

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Yes, this is a relatively poor free agent class. However, we have lots of cap space, this year, next and 2026. Much can be done. Obviously, extensions would be a fine use of cap space.
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So, what could we sign?

1) Second tier starting QB (and then draft a QB in the top 12)

1) a couple of OT's (and then draft two in first 3 or perhaps 4 rounds)

2) a couple RB's (the cost is relatively low and we need the draft picks for other positions: QB, LT, RT, RB. IOL)

3) two safeties (could be Duggar and Mills)

4) a starting TE, presumably Henry

5) Jennings and Wilson

6) Bryant, Reagor and P Brown should be inexpensive backups

7) "minor" upgrades and/or replacements on Defense (perhaps for Phillips, or Guy)
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THE DRAFT WON'T BE ALL THAT COMPLICATED
We need a QB, two OT's, another IOL as always, and a couple of swings at WR. We are also likely to draft ONE defensive players in the first four rounds.