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OL - Probably trade away guys like Cannon who have been with us a long time. And probably signing Thuney long term...to start a youth movement with Mason/Thuney the highest paid guys on the line and save $$$ to pay Wynn down the road.
QB - Roll with Stidham...and probably pick up a rookie in the draft...but not too early. We want to see what Stidham has first...probably trade for a veteran...Andy Dalton? Or something like that...nothing too cap prohibitive.
RB - I love Damien Harris...and might be time to trade James White to a contender. For FB, trade Develin...and bring in a young pup.
TE - Start completely over...and forget about Gronk. Maybe even convince Gronk to return only to trade him to a contender like Seattle where he can play for a laid back coach like Carroll for his final 1-2 years.
WR - Trade Edelman...to the Niners? Or one of the L.A. teams. I think he would be a great fit anywhere else for his waning years. Continue to develop Meyers/Harry...and keep Sanu for a bit. Draft heavily at WR too....
The offense is the very hard part.
OL FOR THE FUTURE
1) The patriots are NOT, are NOT paying Thuney $15M AAV. It's not happening and it shouldn't.
2) Froholdt is likely the future at OG, at least good enough to compete with Karras, who should be extended. I expect us to draft another OG or OG/C in the 3rd or 4th, as we should every year.
3) Andrews will stay if healthy. In any case, Karras is needed to provide an alternative. Ferentz may even need to stay.
4) Yes, Cannon should go; but he won't have any trade value. We will need to draft an OT and sign a free agent to replace Cannon.
QB
This scenario includes Stidham, a Dalton level equivalent (won't be cheap) and a draftee. I don't know where Bill will find his QB. Belichick will have a short list. He will know about when in the draft to pull the trigger on his man.
RB/FB
I see no reason to trade our best weapon in the passing game. Yes, Harris should get more reps.
Develin is a FB; trade value is nil. Devein is worth much more to the patriots. If he can play, Develin is sorely needed.
TE
It is easy to say "start over". Sure, just find 3 qualified TE's. They are NOT easy to find. Bot LeCosse and Izzo will be in training camp. I agree that we need to find two quality TE's. I also think that we probably won't.
WR
So, your plan is to draft heavily at WR. Is that because Belichick is so good at evaluating WR's in the draft? If Brady is gone, Edelman is probably gone also, through trade or retirement. This would leave Sanu (who we just better extend), Harry and Meyers. Unless we find two WR's better than Sanu, our passing game will be among the worst in the NFL.
BOTTOM LINE
Our plans for WR and TE need lots of work. Edelman should stay if he willing.