I.M. Fletcher
2nd Team Getting Their First Start
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Alright, it's time for my second of three offseason mocks. The last one will just be a draft mock the week of the draft, so we will have all the offseason signings taken care of by then, and we can hopefully make more accurate draft selections.
When building the roster, I tried think through what type of defense we are trying to build. We have historically been a front 7 team, with a monster front 4 and great linebacker work. Behind them, we typically would have a great safety and a good corner. I feel like that is starting to change, as more and more teams are using more spread and quick passing routes. We are becoming more and more reliant on our safety to not just cover, but tackle in space at a very high level. I tried to work my offseason mock around the idea of beefing up our front 4, and increasing the long term depth of the safety, putting protections in place for a single injury. I don't want to even think what would happen if McCourty had a significant injury for us.
On offense, I feel like we finally have the weapons to run what we have always wanted to be able to do. Any offense, against any defense. We aren't built to play one style, but to punish any teams weakness. We have a great oline, great receivers for both deep and over the middle, blocking and catching tight ends, and multidimensional running backs. When you have the great Brady Puppetmaster, it is a beautiful thing to watch. Now, it's just about finding the talent to surround what already exists.
So, as a reminder, here is what my first mock looked like
JimmyG for 10, 42
10 for 19, 50
19: Vita Vea (didn't declare)
32: Budda Baker
42: Zay Jones
50: Donta Foreman
64: Chad Wheeler
96: Kevin King
132: Haasan Redick
170: Pharaoh Brown
207: Janarion Grant
240: Blank
So, let's get started
We start the offseason with 65mil (or so) in cap space, with 40 guys currently under contract.
Release:
Amendola 6.5 saved
Vollmer 2.25
Richards .5
Waddle 1.2
Amendola has been a good soldier for a long time, but we are at the point where his production and role don't justify the cost. If can be re-done for 1.5 or less, sure, but they can find a replacement level player in the draft. If Vollmer is healthy enough, and willing to backup our two tackles, it's a worthwhile cost to bring him back, but all signs are pointing towards retirement. Richards hasn't broken through at all in our secondary, as he's a clear step slow, and may never have enough to justify growing his role beyond as a special teamer. Waddle is the 4th tackle, making the cost above value, imho.
Re-signed
Hightower: Franchise tag 14.8mil
This time last year, I would have thought this decision was a given. Now, I am 50/50 at best. We are going on 3 years of Hightower being dinged up enough to miss significant time, or severely hampered performance. They definitely can't extend him right now, and have his contract around their necks for the next 4+ years. But, I wonder if they even see the value in tagging him. I truly love the player, and went with the tag given the amount of cap space we have, even at the hefty cost, but they could easily balk at that and see what they can find in the draft. He is such a unique talent when healthy, I am just not sure how much healthy Hightower we will see going forward.
If not franchised
Karlos Dansby 1yr 2.5mil
Blount 1yr 4.5
Branch 1yr 4.5
Floyd. 1yr 3.5
Bennett 2yr 14
Develin 2yr 2mil
I see all 5 of these guys in the same boat. Outside of Floyd, they all clearly love it here, and have been used effectively in their roles. It's entirely possible they try for a last big payday elsewhere, but I can't see them getting much more than this. Floyd gets a single year to rebuild his value, but he may get a significant deal from someone else. I think he could be a really interesting weapon with a full summer of training with Brady (if he's not sitting in prison, that is). We don't have anyone on the roster like any of these 5 guys, so having them around to fill a role, while we find replacements is imperative.
Replacements if not signed:
Darren McFadden 1yr 4mil
Johnathan Hankins 4yr 28mil
Robert Woods 4yr 24mil
Jack Doyle 4yr 24mil
Kyle Juszcczyk 3yr 6mil
Butler 3.65 1st round tender
If I was to guess about a long term deal, Butler seems to fit the mould of who we tend to pay. Extremely hard working, never misses time, shows up in big moments, and competitive as anyone in the league. I think he gets tendered, and they work on a long term deal over the summer.
Replacement if signed above tender:
Prince Amukamera 3yr 21mil
Long/Mingo 1yr 3m
I still think it's an either or situation. Long fit the team like a glove, but his production was never much to write home about. Mingo flashed his athleticism, but not really to the point you would want him in a regular role. I could see either, but I doubt they pay both. Long could also ride off into the sunset if we win this Super Bowl.
Calais Campbell 2yr 12mil (a Belichick fav)
Re-signed below qualifier
Michael Williams
Brandon King
Cameron Fleming
Free agents signed by other teams:
Harmon
Sheard
Ryan
Harmon makes the most sense to bring back, as he has his own role on the defense, and is in a crowded safety class this summer . Ryan would be great to have back, but I don't see them paying big dollars to two corners, and I don't want my second corner making top dollar before my CB1
When building the roster, I tried think through what type of defense we are trying to build. We have historically been a front 7 team, with a monster front 4 and great linebacker work. Behind them, we typically would have a great safety and a good corner. I feel like that is starting to change, as more and more teams are using more spread and quick passing routes. We are becoming more and more reliant on our safety to not just cover, but tackle in space at a very high level. I tried to work my offseason mock around the idea of beefing up our front 4, and increasing the long term depth of the safety, putting protections in place for a single injury. I don't want to even think what would happen if McCourty had a significant injury for us.
On offense, I feel like we finally have the weapons to run what we have always wanted to be able to do. Any offense, against any defense. We aren't built to play one style, but to punish any teams weakness. We have a great oline, great receivers for both deep and over the middle, blocking and catching tight ends, and multidimensional running backs. When you have the great Brady Puppetmaster, it is a beautiful thing to watch. Now, it's just about finding the talent to surround what already exists.
So, as a reminder, here is what my first mock looked like
JimmyG for 10, 42
10 for 19, 50
19: Vita Vea (didn't declare)
32: Budda Baker
42: Zay Jones
50: Donta Foreman
64: Chad Wheeler
96: Kevin King
132: Haasan Redick
170: Pharaoh Brown
207: Janarion Grant
240: Blank
So, let's get started
We start the offseason with 65mil (or so) in cap space, with 40 guys currently under contract.
Release:
Amendola 6.5 saved
Vollmer 2.25
Richards .5
Waddle 1.2
Amendola has been a good soldier for a long time, but we are at the point where his production and role don't justify the cost. If can be re-done for 1.5 or less, sure, but they can find a replacement level player in the draft. If Vollmer is healthy enough, and willing to backup our two tackles, it's a worthwhile cost to bring him back, but all signs are pointing towards retirement. Richards hasn't broken through at all in our secondary, as he's a clear step slow, and may never have enough to justify growing his role beyond as a special teamer. Waddle is the 4th tackle, making the cost above value, imho.
Re-signed
Hightower: Franchise tag 14.8mil
This time last year, I would have thought this decision was a given. Now, I am 50/50 at best. We are going on 3 years of Hightower being dinged up enough to miss significant time, or severely hampered performance. They definitely can't extend him right now, and have his contract around their necks for the next 4+ years. But, I wonder if they even see the value in tagging him. I truly love the player, and went with the tag given the amount of cap space we have, even at the hefty cost, but they could easily balk at that and see what they can find in the draft. He is such a unique talent when healthy, I am just not sure how much healthy Hightower we will see going forward.
If not franchised
Karlos Dansby 1yr 2.5mil
Blount 1yr 4.5
Branch 1yr 4.5
Floyd. 1yr 3.5
Bennett 2yr 14
Develin 2yr 2mil
I see all 5 of these guys in the same boat. Outside of Floyd, they all clearly love it here, and have been used effectively in their roles. It's entirely possible they try for a last big payday elsewhere, but I can't see them getting much more than this. Floyd gets a single year to rebuild his value, but he may get a significant deal from someone else. I think he could be a really interesting weapon with a full summer of training with Brady (if he's not sitting in prison, that is). We don't have anyone on the roster like any of these 5 guys, so having them around to fill a role, while we find replacements is imperative.
Replacements if not signed:
Darren McFadden 1yr 4mil
Johnathan Hankins 4yr 28mil
Robert Woods 4yr 24mil
Jack Doyle 4yr 24mil
Kyle Juszcczyk 3yr 6mil
Butler 3.65 1st round tender
If I was to guess about a long term deal, Butler seems to fit the mould of who we tend to pay. Extremely hard working, never misses time, shows up in big moments, and competitive as anyone in the league. I think he gets tendered, and they work on a long term deal over the summer.
Replacement if signed above tender:
Prince Amukamera 3yr 21mil
Long/Mingo 1yr 3m
I still think it's an either or situation. Long fit the team like a glove, but his production was never much to write home about. Mingo flashed his athleticism, but not really to the point you would want him in a regular role. I could see either, but I doubt they pay both. Long could also ride off into the sunset if we win this Super Bowl.
Calais Campbell 2yr 12mil (a Belichick fav)
Re-signed below qualifier
Michael Williams
Brandon King
Cameron Fleming
Free agents signed by other teams:
Harmon
Sheard
Ryan
Harmon makes the most sense to bring back, as he has his own role on the defense, and is in a crowded safety class this summer . Ryan would be great to have back, but I don't see them paying big dollars to two corners, and I don't want my second corner making top dollar before my CB1