how do you manage the 2017 roster

[Jimke]

i thought waiting till next year is not for the winners

also thought somebody would be interested to share some ideas

nevermind

You're not wrong. If the Patriots don't begin the process of extending Butler, Ryan, Shead, Collins, and Hightower, they stand the chance of losing two or three of them. They will have a little protection with one
franchise tag and a first round RFA tender next year.
There are also a lot of one year contracts. It would be ideal to obtain some possible replacements for Branch, Knighton, Long, Ninkovick, and Vollmer in the 2016 draft where the Patriots have 11 draft picks.
Next year, they have 5 draft picks.

 

[long distance]

i think extending the new 1yr guys at the right time can also be the key
f.e. if Cooper starts playing to his potential during camp/preseason better extend him sooner than later
(before the rest can have a good look) - similar with Knighton and Long if they earn starting jobs and show a few good years potential.
Bennett is probably just visiting if Gronk stays healthy ...

 

[farn]

Maybe we need to "enjoy those LBs while we can"..... I was expecting NE to move on HT/Collins this offseason. They may still, but there is obviously risk in both extending and not extending.

A bit surprised Jones was moved, but if it keeps Butler & Collins & HT aboard, that'd be ok.

 

[supafly]

You're not wrong. If the Patriots don't begin the process of extending Butler, Ryan, Shead, Collins, and Hightower, they stand the chance of losing two or three of them. They will have a little protection with one
franchise tag and a first round RFA tender next year.
There are also a lot of one year contracts. It would be ideal to obtain some possible replacements for Branch, Knighton, Long, Ninkovick, and Vollmer in the 2016 draft where the Patriots have 11 draft picks.
Next year, they have 5 draft picks.

I think they'll only choose to extend one of HT/Collins unless one decides to take a team friendly deal, and I'd have to guess that HT would take priority. Just my opinion.

I didn't realize that they only had 5 draft picks next year, but that coincides with my theory that we'll be trading this year's picks into next year. Previously, my reasoning was due to an abundance of picks (11) with very little room for rookie roster spots (6 or so), but discovering this info makes me even more confident that at least one or more of our top 4 picks may be traded.

 

[rookBoston]

- Sign Hightower
- Franchise Collins
- Tender Butler
- Sign Sheard
- Offer Ryan, but brace yourself to see him walk
- Offer Ninkovich
- Wait on Gronk contract
- Wait on Edelman contract
- Draft a RT of the future
- Wait on Knighton, Long, Bennett until FA 2017...if we lose them in FA that's just fodder for the Compensatory Calc

 

[goheels22002]

The best plan would be to have a big party at Bob Kraft's place and give them all a huge ring to thank them for winning Super Bowl 51.

 

[long distance]

Maybe we need to "enjoy those LBs while we can".....

My thoughts as well. And thats exactly what I plan to do.
I think we are safe for 2016 and I have a feeling HT stays for a long time

 

[RobertWeathers]

Deserve???
Is that how you want the Patriots to operate?
Personally, I like the formula that retains as many quality football players as possible creating deeper teams capable of navigating the injury front late in seasons when teams that have ALL their money invested in a couple marquis names fizzle.
As far as Gronk goes….as great as he is, the guy has a target imprinted on his knees and it would be pound foolish to up his $$$ knowing tape holds this guy together. Maybe guarantee more of his salary a year in advance…but NE holds the cards….and has the QB that makes him the GRONK.
And Edelman….just promise him a seat next to Brady on team flights and he'll be good to go. Where else is the guy going to find Dunkin Donuts on every block?

Deserve's got nuthin' to do with it....

 

[mgteich]

I think they'll only choose to extend one of HT/Collins unless one decides to take a team friendly deal, and I'd have to guess that HT would take priority. Just my opinion.

I didn't realize that they only had 5 draft picks next year, but that coincides with my theory that we'll be trading this year's picks into next year. Previously, my reasoning was due to an abundance of picks (11) with very little room for rookie roster spots (6 or so), but discovering this info makes me even more confident that at least one or more of our top 4 picks may be traded.

IMHO, the emphasis on the number of draft picks is somewhat misplaced. We have much less draft resources this year than is normally the case. We have only 4 picks in the first 5 rounds, with no first. All the tradable picks in the 6th and 7th aren't worth a fourth, probably not a fifth.

Sure, we might trade picks into 2017. But that would NOT be because we thought that the extra picks this year were valuable. It would be because the value simply wasn't there when we picked at the bottom of the second or third.

BOTTOM LINE
You say there is room for only 6 or so rookies. I'm fine that this be our first 5 picks plus 1-2 late picks or UDFA's.

 

[supafly]

IMHO, the emphasis on the number of draft picks is somewhat misplaced. We have much less draft resources this year than is normally the case. We have only 4 picks in the first 5 rounds, with no first. All the tradable picks in the 6th and 7th aren't worth a fourth, probably not a fifth.

Sure, we might trade picks into 2017. But that would NOT be because we thought that the extra picks this year were valuable. It would be because the value simply wasn't there when we picked at the bottom of the second or third.

BOTTOM LINE
You say there is room for only 6 or so rookies. I'm fine that this be our first 5 picks plus 1-2 late picks or UDFA's.

What you say makes a lot of sense and I'd imagine that it may be some combination of variables, but personally, I'm expecting some picks traded into next year.

I still see a big difference in 11 vs. 5 next year, even if that includes a first for 2017. The inclusion of that first doesn't take away from the fact that we have 2 seconds and 2 thirds this year.

 

[RayClay]

Solve 2016 roster this year, 2017 next year.

Burn that bridge when we get to it, not before. No telling who gets hurt this year, who doesn't play up to expectations.

Think back to a time when the team looked to have the best all-time tight end duo locked up with early extensions. How well did that work out? No need to rush things.

Worked out very well with Gronkowski. "Not planning" is for the other guys.

 

[RayClay]

IMHO, the emphasis on the number of draft picks is somewhat misplaced. We have much less draft resources this year than is normally the case. We have only 4 picks in the first 5 rounds, with no first. All the tradable picks in the 6th and 7th aren't worth a fourth, probably not a fifth.

Sure, we might trade picks into 2017. But that would NOT be because we thought that the extra picks this year were valuable. It would be because the value simply wasn't there when we picked at the bottom of the second or third.

BOTTOM LINE
You say there is room for only 6 or so rookies. I'm fine that this be our first 5 picks plus 1-2 late picks or UDFA's.

Yeah, it sucks we got screwed out of our pick. I do like seeing the master with all those low value picks to see what he'll do with them. great to convert anything to next year, but if we need to spend them, I imagine he's scouting every injured, inexperienced, Australian Rugby player who might convert, QBs who have no chance in the NFL, but have other skills etc.

I'd love him to hit big on one or two of them to spite the criminal corruption conspiracy, we know as the NFL.

Not likely? Look who's throwing and who his favorite receiver is.
Besides, I see that Popeye's hiring.

Fk Goodell and his minions.

 

[RayClay]

By the way, I'm obviously not watching round one on any medium that could be tracked for ratings, but is there any civil disobedience planned for the audience when Bozo the Clownissioner announces the pick for our place in the draft?

Is the dude at bar stool sports still a Boston guy after he cashed in to make the big time?

 

[supafly]

- Offer Ryan, but brace yourself to see him walk

Let the bracing begin! (clutches side of couch)