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Under $30M Cap Space After A Week

33m is plenty of cap space.

I think we need to reserve maybe 10m for draftee signings but the Patriots could certainly add at least one more major piece if they felt like the right player was available.
It’s less than 10 mill for rookies. One the first couple of rounds are higher than the player they displace on the top 51.
But there is potentially a cost for 52 and 53 (depending upon who gets cut) and you need to pay the ps and have a reserve for in season additions.
I think that totals around 15 mill.
 
Good thread. As an aside we have 34 people signed next year and a projected 73M in cap space.

If we did want to make more we could let Morgan Moses walk and save 9M, Let Landry walk and save 14,5M or Let Davis walk and save 16.5M among other moves. Landry probably is an auto cut. The point being we will have pretty good cash next year so we could probably push some there. But keep in mind this does not count the expected extensions of Gonzo and Boutte.
It will be interesting if they draft a RT and CB early foreshadowing replacing Moses and Davis (saving $25M next year).
 
It’s less than 10 mill for rookies. One the first couple of rounds are higher than the player they displace on the top 51.
But there is potentially a cost for 52 and 53 (depending upon who gets cut) and you need to pay the ps and have a reserve for in season additions.
I think that totals around 15 mill.
Based on the picks we have OverTheCap is estimating 13.8M for our rookie draft picks
 
Based on the picks we have OverTheCap is estimating 13.8M for our rookie draft picks
But that’s not net. If we have 8 picks that total 13.8 mill in cap hits, they take the place of 8 other players in the top 51. Those 8 have cap hits totaling around 8.5 mill.

For example our 3rd round pick last year had a cap hit of 1.14 mill.
The guy he would replace not is at 1.075 so the hit would only be 0.065 mill. Given that our 3 is lower this year it’s probably zero.
Only the 1st and 2nd (last year) last year less than 10 mill gross and less than 8 mill net actually take away cap space and picking 31 this year it will be a lot lower, as I said around 5 mill.
 
33m is plenty of cap space.

I think we need to reserve maybe 10m for draftee signings but the Patriots could certainly add at least one more major piece if they felt like the right player was available.
I agree that we have of cap space to do almost anything we want to do. Vrabel will make sure that he has a plan to negotiate for Brown should he available after June 1st.

For me, I do NOT expect that such a plan involves cutting any player that he wouldn't have cut if Brown weren't available. Also, I would expect that a new contract between NE and Brown would essentially be part of the deal (as is often the case).
 
I'm guessing just inventory reduction.

Evidence:
SB 60 jerseys.

I would never purchase a jersey or anything else from a SB loss and especially that butt whipping.
 
We could restructure Williams and Davis. We could extend Onwenu.

But, for now, the effective cap space is under $30M per overthecap (their $38M less $9M for Byard's contract).
I'm almost expecting them to extend Onwenu given his cap hit but then again if they're not spending up to the cap, I guess there's no need.

Seems like they are leaving space for a potential Brown trade - but since that wouldn't be until after the draft I feel like if someone they like at WR they'd use #31 there and perhaps use the $ elsewhere or work another trade for an area of need.


There's a certain window when a SB caliber QB is on his rookie contract though so while I see the Pats being fiscally conservative and loading up on quality depth (as the SB contenders of the 2000s always did), there's a case to be made to invest NOW - but if the chips don't fall into place, might as well front load contracts and save on the future cap hit or dead money to be ready for that next phase when Maye gets an expensive new contract.
 
I'm almost expecting them to extend Onwenu given his cap hit but then again if they're not spending up to the cap, I guess there's no need.

Seems like they are leaving space for a potential Brown trade - but since that wouldn't be until after the draft I feel like if someone they like at WR they'd use #31 there and perhaps use the $ elsewhere or work another trade for an area of need.


There's a certain window when a SB caliber QB is on his rookie contract though so while I see the Pats being fiscally conservative and loading up on quality depth (as the SB contenders of the 2000s always did), there's a case to be made to invest NOW - but if the chips don't fall into place, might as well front load contracts and save on the future cap hit or dead money to be ready for that next phase when Maye gets an expensive new contract.
We need a starting quality RT. This draft has them available early. It is really that simple. If they are all gone, we will look to EDGE and perhaps even WR.
 
We need a starting quality RT. This draft has them available early. It is really that simple. If they are all gone, we will look to EDGE and perhaps even WR.
I'd be thrilled by OL with the first pick - Caleb Lomu is on my wish list as the RT in waiting who can back up LT or G if needed.

WR should be deep enough in this draft to wait.
 
I'd be thrilled by OL with the first pick - Caleb Lomu is on my wish list as the RT in waiting who can back up LT or G if needed.

WR should be deep enough in this draft to wait.
If we could snag Elijah Sarratt in round 3 I would take him. 6'2 209lbs. I saw him twice live at JMU in 2023 as a sophomore, he racked up almost 1200 yards that year before moving on to Indiana. Very smooth route runner and great hands. If he had that break away speed he would be a round 1 guy. He could be sneaky good in the nfl.
 
I agree that we have of cap space to do almost anything we want to do. Vrabel will make sure that he has a plan to negotiate for Brown should he available after June 1st.

For me, I do NOT expect that such a plan involves cutting any player that he wouldn't have cut if Brown weren't available. Also, I would expect that a new contract between NE and Brown would essentially be part of the deal (as is often the case).
In other patriots related news....

Promising Patriots rookie receives top-10 NFL performance bonus - masslive.com https://share.google/1dIcaL5X0QvVeMEvU
 
33m is plenty of cap space.

I think we need to reserve maybe 10m for draftee signings but the Patriots could certainly add at least one more major piece if they felt like the right player was available.

While I think the $33 million in space is likely for a deal with Brown, we know that wouldn't go down until after the draft

In addition to signing Brown and rookies I would think that extension talks are in the works with Gonzo likely taking up the most of the leftover cash after that - though they'll probably backload that like the Jets did with Gardner. Add Boutte, Douglas and Hollins to the extension mix too - but I think most of those extensions would likely be pushed off until well after the draft - perhaps heading into camps.

I think they could do all of the above and sign Brown (or go for a Plan B like Diggs) - maybe taking care of the cheaper extensions first, and leaving what they'd be willing to pay Gonzo in Year 1 to help with negotiations there

Gardner signed his deal in mid-July likely to get him into camp. I could easily see Gonzo sitting out until he gets an extension as I wouldn't advise him to risk a big payday for the $3 mil he's due this year.
 
I agree that we have of cap space to do almost anything we want to do. Vrabel will make sure that he has a plan to negotiate for Brown should he available after June 1st.

For me, I do NOT expect that such a plan involves cutting any player that he wouldn't have cut if Brown weren't available. Also, I would expect that a new contract between NE and Brown would essentially be part of the deal (as is often the case).
I think the team is better of with the years and money as it stands. It dont work out we nice in with no cap hit.
 
While I think the $33 million in space is likely for a deal with Brown, we know that wouldn't go down until after the draft

In addition to signing Brown and rookies I would think that extension talks are in the works with Gonzo likely taking up the most of the leftover cash after that - though they'll probably backload that like the Jets did with Gardner. Add Boutte, Douglas and Hollins to the extension mix too - but I think most of those extensions would likely be pushed off until well after the draft - perhaps heading into camps.

I think they could do all of the above and sign Brown (or go for a Plan B like Diggs) - maybe taking care of the cheaper extensions first, and leaving what they'd be willing to pay Gonzo in Year 1 to help with negotiations there

Gardner signed his deal in mid-July likely to get him into camp. I could easily see Gonzo sitting out until he gets an extension as I wouldn't advise him to risk a big payday for the $3 mil he's due this year.
We are in a phase of roster building where you can’t really spend up to the cap. We left a lot last year to carry over and without a ton of spending we are probably at about 12-15 mill really left

Had we spent to the cap last year, with all of the low first year hits on free agents we would have had cap problems the year.

When you go from 100 mill under and sign long term FA deals the second year hits are much much larger. You need to consider all years.

Right now we are 73 mill under for next year will on 34 players signed. That means after taking away 15 mill for cushion we have 58 mill for 19 players.

Our cap approach in this phase has to be more concerned with the next year than the current year, and at some point when your roster is built out and you are maintaining that flips.
 
Byard and Woodson in year two is going to be a big upgrade over last year’s safety room assuming health.
Ya know...the hyperbole is strong with you more recently then ever before...but I do agree with this at least for 2026. Even if Byard loses some athletic ability due to age...it is still worth the knowledge and attitude he brings to the safety position and the team.

Edit: but maybe a S should have some draft concentrations....if you will...and what not's.
 
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Byard and Woodson in year two is going to be a big upgrade over last year’s safety room assuming health.
Absolutely agree wozzy.. the secondary has the makings to Absolutely shut down offenses.. go figure two excellent man corners in gonzo and Davis.. excellent slot in Jones.. this will Absolutely effect the rush because QBs will have no where to go with the ball..
 
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