Deandre Hopkins Visiting Patriots Next Week

[Zuma]

What's even better is, by keeping Parker then Thornton's back to the #5/6 spot where he belongs until he himself proves otherwise.

Hopkins - JuJu - Parker
Bourne - Douglas - Thornton
Boutte

Injuries (unfortunately) & performance will sort-out the details.

The thing is with Gesicki essentially a WR and also possibly having Firkser as the 3rd TE / HB….their is little chance of having 7 WR’s on the 53. It might end up being just Hopkins, JuJu, Thornton and Bourne.

 

[TheBeers]

If it's possible to sign DHop without cutting anyone I'd prefer that route. There's always an injury or two and I'd rather have as much depth as possible going into camp. That said, if there's a cut needed clearly that's Parker or Bourne.

Titans would be dumb not to sign DHop, their depth chart at WR is probably the worst in the league, at least bottom 3.

 

[captain stone]

IMO it would be a colossal mistake to let Hopkins leave without a contract. Not that he is a superstar anymore but he still draws opponents best CB and also opens up the field for other players. Replacing Thornton in the starting lineup is the right thing to do.

fify

I want to see what an 11-personnel of Hopkins - JuJu - Parker looks like first, before anointing Thornton as the #3 and/or dumping Parker, should Hopkins be signed here... I want to see padded practices & pre-season games vs other teams before handing him a darn thing.

 

[Zuma]

fify

I want to see what an 11-personnel of Hopkins - JuJu - Parker looks like first, before anointing Thornton as the #3 and/or dumping Parker, should Hopkins be signed here... I want to see padded practices & pre-season games vs other teams before handing him a darn thing.

Ok

 

[rochrist]

fify

I want to see what an 11-personnel of Hopkins - JuJu - Parker looks like first, before anointing Thornton as the #3 and/or dumping Parker, should Hopkins be signed here... I want to see padded practices & pre-season games vs other teams before handing him a darn thing.

You put that on the field then you have absolutely nothing threatening the deep part of the field.

 

[BTTA]

It's not quite as bad as comparing Tyquan to Metcalf (which happened)

What's wrong with comparing Tyquan to Metcalf? Sounds like a worthwhile exercise.

 

[mgteich]

Bill will decide how much he is willing spend on an upgrade to Parker, who should be gone if Hopkisns is signed.

Hopkins will decided whether the deal is the best available to him.

It is silly to say that Hopkins shouldn't be allowed to leave without signing. Is $25M a year guaranteed OK? $20M? It is about Bill's assessment of the value.

 

[captain stone]

If it's possible to sign DHop without cutting anyone I'd prefer that route. There's always an injury or two and I'd rather have as much depth as possible going into camp. That said, if there's a cut needed clearly that's Parker or Bourne.

Titans would be dumb not to sign DHop, their depth chart at WR is probably the worst in the league, at least bottom 3.

Just took a look at their roster... You're right, that's bad.

 

[mgteich]

If it's possible to sign DHop without cutting anyone I'd prefer that route. There's always an injury or two and I'd rather have as much depth as possible going into camp. That said, if there's a cut needed clearly that's Parker or Bourne.

Titans would be dumb not to sign DHop, their depth chart at WR is probably the worst in the league, at least bottom 3.

Parker isn't worth $6M as a backup to Hopkins and Thornton on the outside.

Hopkins, Thornton, Schuster, and Bourne would be our active WR's, with possibly another inactive.

 

[captain stone]

You put that on the field then you have absolutely nothing threatening the deep part of the field.

I realize that Parker is slower than Thornton; but we still don't know if Thornton and/or Mac themselves can effectively threaten the deep part of the field anyway...

 

[captain stone]

What's wrong with comparing Tyquan to Metcalf? Sounds like a worthwhile exercise.

Not really.

 

[captain stone]

Parker isn't worth $6M as a backup to Hopkins and Thornton on the outside.

Hopkins, Thornton, Schuster, and Bourne would be our active WR's, with possibly another inactive.

Can we PLEASE wait to see what if anything Thornton accomplishes during TC & pre-season before GIVING him the spot opposite Hopkins & JuJu?

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

Is it true that DHop does not like to,practice or is it just hype?

I read it somewhere a while back. Could be BS.

If he does not like to practice then it will never work. If it is over exaggerated then I’m on board

 

[crawhammer]

Can we PLEASE wait to see what if anything Thornton accomplishes during TC & pre-season before GIVING him the spot opposite Hopkins & JuJu?

Agreed! For Christ's sake I was nervous with twiggy covering Agholor's production, yet I see some people have him comfortably in the WR3 spot (or higher).

If Hopkins signs then he and JuJu are 1&2. Then I'm finding a way to roll into the season with Parker and Bourne at 3&4. Tyquan can continue to develop his game (or not) with lower end of the depth chart reps. That's your best WR corps for 2023. I'm not worried about justifying the draft pick, either Tyquan forces his way into a more prominent role, or he doesn't, but he'll have to earn it because I want to win with my best guys right now.

 

[mgteich]

Can we PLEASE wait to see what if anything Thornton accomplishes during TC & pre-season before GIVING him the spot opposite Hopkins & JuJu?

This is NOT the real issue.

We would likely cut or trade one of our top 4 receivers if we acquire Hopkins.

For me, Thornton's role matters little. He won't be cut or traded. The issue would be to decide between Parker and Bourne.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

hard no on big-time guaranteed money.

The Pats have the most effective cap space in the League in each of 2024 and 2025 (and they are 14th for the current year). So the one thing we have a lot of is cap space over the next three years.

So they could offer say a $40m deal over three years (nice headline numbers) with say $15- $20m guaranteed over two years. Cutting Parker recoups $6m of that this year and something equivalent next year with whoever you sign if Parker is not extended. So basically costs you $4m a year if things go badly, or more if things go well and he hits his incentives. That's a good deal for what could be a significant upgrade.

 

[jimnance]

For me, Thornton's role matters little. He won't be cut or traded. The issue would be to decide between Parker and Bourne.

Nothing to decide. Parkers skill-set is redundant with Hopkins on board.
Bourne brings value.
Parker goes

 

[StrawHatPatriot]

Wonder how this ends up

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

Parker is cheap enough where the Patriots might be able to hold onto him if Hopkins signs. Beyond both being X receivers, the issue is keeping Parker in that situation almost guarantees Bourne is gone and/or that Thornton/Boutte basically are scrapping for looks - probably stunts growth/development ESP for Thornton.

I understand Thornton hasn't done anything as of today to be able to say confidently he should be played over someone like Parker - but it's a situation where we used a 2nd on him - last year was a throw away for all offensive players - and the only way he will know for sure if he can cut it , is to give him looks.

Bourne offers versatility and YAC ability. It would just make more sense to keep him considering all things.

Not a knock on Parker and ofcourse this all hinges on Hopkins signing.

 

[IcyPatriot]

1 Player who elevates a team's unit ....all day long
Makes rb's around hom better a day all other players around better as he commands dts ...all day long sign the beast ... if
Possible always sign a beast who slots everyone down.