How should the Patriots use their cap $ in 2024 Free Agency?

[jmt57]

Most of the focus in this forum right now is on the draft, but before that happens there is this little thing called free agency. How do you want the team to use their available $66 million?

What players should the Patriots retain, who should they let go? Which positions/players on other teams should they target.

Important Dates:
- Feb 20: Teams may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
- March 5: Deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
- March 11-13: Teams are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents.
- March 13: 2024 League Year and Free Agency signing period begins at 4:00 p.m.

Some resources on what free agents will be available. This will expand at some point with cap casualties.

When does NFL free agency start? Dates and best players available after Super Bowl

With the 2023-24 season now behind us, it's time to look ahead to 2025 and which players could help turn teams into contenders.

www.usatoday.com

Here’s a list of the top NFL free agents for 2024 now that the Super Bowl is over

We take an early look at some of the top names in free agency now that the offseason has officially begun.

dknetwork.draftkings.com

This one from Spotrac is useful as you can filter by position, team, and more.

2024 NFL Free Agents Tracker

Tracking the status and signings of all 2024 NFL free agents.

www.spotrac.com

Some more comparisons on availble cap space.
Saints, Dolphins, Bills, Chargers, Broncos, Cowboys, Browns and Steelers are currently upside down.

NFL Salary Cap Space | Over The Cap

NFL salary cap space estimates for all 32 teams

overthecap.com

2024 NFL Salary Cap Tracker: All 32 NFL teams ranked by cap space | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics | PFF

Here is how all 32 NFL teams currently stand, keeping in mind that cap space is a constantly changing number as teams maneuver throughout the offseason.

www.pff.com

Looking at Salary Cap Flexibility and Potential Scenarios in 2024 | Over the Cap

Looking at Salary Cap Flexibility and Potential Scenarios in 2024 | Over the Cap

overthecap.com

NFL 2024 Salary Cap Tracker

A real-time look at the 2024 salary cap totals for each NFL team, including estimated cap space.

www.spotrac.com

 

[Hyped]

Thoughts:

1.) Decisions, decisions, decisions....

2.) My priorities would depend on these factors:

- What kind of offensive scheme will Van Pelt run? West Coast? And by extension, what kind of OL blocking scheme will Scott Peterson want to install? If it is zone blocking, then we might want to pass on Onwenu. If not, we should then re-sign Onwenu.

- How much money to sign a starter in FA vs. drafting a starter? E.g. Why go after Kirk Cousins when we can just draft Jayden Daniels on a rookie deal?

- Positional availability in the draft. E.g. WR is supposed to be DEEP in this draft...so...maybe pass on the top tier FA WR's...re-sign Bourne...pass on MHJ...and draft a WR or two in rounds 2-4.

3.) So, with the caveat of the above factors possibly later shifting my priorities...I'll ASSUME these factors:

- We run a West Coast Zone Blocking Offense.
- We plan to draft either Daniels or Maye with pick #3 (meaning no OL/WR in the draft until rounds 2+).

My priorities would be this:

1.) Sign one of the top OT's in free agency to replace Trent Brown (who I assume we will let walk). That takes care of one tackle spot. And we can draft the other tackle in rounds 2+ and have him compete with whoever we tried out there last year before we moved Onwenu outside. The interior of the line should be OK with Sow manning RG, Andrews suiting up for another season, and Strange healing up to man the LG spot. Not ideal, but a different blocking scheme could help (we tried this with Patricia though).

2.) Resign our own free agents in Kendrick Bourne (who I think will come with a bit of an ACL/Hometown discount) Anfernee Jennings, Mack Wilson, Pharaoh Brown, and/or Hunter Henry. These guys should provide us with some value....hope none of them wants to break the bank.

3.) Sign our Dugger replacement. Doesn't have to be as good, but needs to be solid enough and doesn't break the bank.

4.) Dip into the DEEP FA defensive player market for upgrades all across the board so we can go offense heavy in the draft.

 

[Love The Drake]

Say bye to Tee

Bengals Expected To Franchise WR Tee Higgins This Offseason

According to Paul Dehner Jr., based on discussions with team and league sources, all expectations are that the Bengals will franchise tag WR Tee Higgins this offseason. Dehner adds the expectation is the Bengals will

nfltraderumors.co

 

[Love The Drake]

What teams need to free up cap, who could release or trade good WRs on the cheap?
That’s our target.

Right now Pittman is going to be a very rich man.

 

[Headcase]

Onwenu is a great guard, a decent tackle...if he wants tackle money you have to let him go....plus we don't know the scheme fit yet.
OT is pretty bad in FA, two of the top 3 are our guys, plus one 33yro who has spent his entire career in Dallas
Making RB a priority doesn't make alot of sense
Top tier QB is just a bandaid that will either keep your rookie from starting if they are ready, or will win you some games you probably don't want to win.

These three make sense to me:
S, someone to replace Dugger? An actual middle of the field guy?
A TE, going to need something there
Mid QB to act as a bridge for the next season or two?

 

[venecol]

Most of the focus in this forum right now is on the draft, but before that happens there is this little thing called free agency. How do you want the team to use their available $66 million?

What players should the Patriots retain, who should they let go? Which positions/players on other teams should they target.

Important Dates:
- Feb 20: Teams may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
- March 5: Deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
- March 11-13: Teams are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents.
- March 13: 2024 League Year and Free Agency signing period begins at 4:00 p.m.

Some resources on what free agents will be available. This will expand at some point with cap casualties.

When does NFL free agency start? Dates and best players available after Super Bowl

With the 2023-24 season now behind us, it's time to look ahead to 2025 and which players could help turn teams into contenders.

www.usatoday.com

Here’s a list of the top NFL free agents for 2024 now that the Super Bowl is over

We take an early look at some of the top names in free agency now that the offseason has officially begun.

dknetwork.draftkings.com

This one from Spotrac is useful as you can filter by position, team, and more.

2024 NFL Free Agents Tracker

Tracking the status and signings of all 2024 NFL free agents.

www.spotrac.com

Some more comparisons on availble cap space.
Saints, Dolphins, Bills, Chargers, Broncos, Cowboys, Browns and Steelers are currently upside down.

NFL Salary Cap Space | Over The Cap

NFL salary cap space estimates for all 32 teams

overthecap.com

2024 NFL Salary Cap Tracker: All 32 NFL teams ranked by cap space | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics | PFF

Here is how all 32 NFL teams currently stand, keeping in mind that cap space is a constantly changing number as teams maneuver throughout the offseason.

www.pff.com

Looking at Salary Cap Flexibility and Potential Scenarios in 2024 | Over the Cap

Looking at Salary Cap Flexibility and Potential Scenarios in 2024 | Over the Cap

overthecap.com

NFL 2024 Salary Cap Tracker

A real-time look at the 2024 salary cap totals for each NFL team, including estimated cap space.

www.spotrac.com

You need to offer ability to pick multiple choices for your poll to be meaningful. I for one, would pick most of your options.

 

[venecol]

Based on this, Cousins is the only FA QB we should consider. Since he probably won't be available, need to go for a bridge guy like Brissett and pick a QB w/ #3.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Say bye to Tee

Bengals Expected To Franchise WR Tee Higgins This Offseason

According to Paul Dehner Jr., based on discussions with team and league sources, all expectations are that the Bengals will franchise tag WR Tee Higgins this offseason. Dehner adds the expectation is the Bengals will

nfltraderumors.co

Whatever. Go the packers route of drafting youngsters to pair with Douglas. Let them grow with our young QB.

 

[farn]

Based on this, Cousins is the only FA QB we should consider. Since he probably won't be available, need to go for a bridge guy like Brissett and pick a QB w/ #3.

How can I take this list seriously ? Would anyone here actually choose perennial loser Herbert over Burrows ? And IF Herbert were to actually be the 4th QB going into next season, doesn’t that say A LOT about the sad state of affairs ? I’d go Hurts ahead of him as well. As well as Love, Stroud, even lovable loser Prescott - at least he has a winning % career….


Holy cow. Murray “I need to sign a contract to limit my Nintendo screen time” from Arizona is #11 ?!?

 

[venecol]

How can I take this list seriously ? Would anyone here actually choose perennial loser Herbert over Burrows ? And IF Herbert were to actually be the 4th QB going into next season, doesn’t that say A LOT about the sad state of affairs ? I’d go Hurts ahead of him as well. As well as Love, Stroud, even lovable loser Prescott - at least he has a winning % career….


Holy cow. Murray “I need to sign a contract to limit my Nintendo screen time” from Arizona is #11 ?!?

Your hate of Herbert is well documented and acknowledged. Moving on.

 

[TheRainMaker]

When you don't have a QB and many needs, spending a lot of money on FA's is the not the way to go. With that said, they may make a big splash at a couple positions. My guess is T and OLB. WR contracts are just getting way too out of hand.

 

[jmt57]

You need to offer ability to pick multiple choices for your poll to be meaningful. I for one, would pick most of your options.

I was actually going to do that at first, but then I felt as though I - like you - would just be clicking on nearly every option. I felt that might make the poll meaningless - so instead made it for just the highest priority.

But yeah, I agree - I'd like to see the Patriots take care of almost everything on that list.

 

[jmt57]

Thoughts:

1.) Decisions, decisions, decisions....

2.) My priorities would depend on these factors:

- What kind of offensive scheme will Van Pelt run? West Coast? And by extension, what kind of OL blocking scheme will Scott Peterson want to install? If it is zone blocking, then we might want to pass on Onwenu. If not, we should then re-sign Onwenu.

- How much money to sign a starter in FA vs. drafting a starter? E.g. Why go after Kirk Cousins when we can just draft Jayden Daniels on a rookie deal?

- Positional availability in the draft. E.g. WR is supposed to be DEEP in this draft...so...maybe pass on the top tier FA WR's...re-sign Bourne...pass on MHJ...and draft a WR or two in rounds 2-4.

3.) So, with the caveat of the above factors possibly later shifting my priorities...I'll ASSUME these factors:

- We run a West Coast Zone Blocking Offense.
- We plan to draft either Daniels or Maye with pick #3 (meaning no OL/WR in the draft until rounds 2+).

My priorities would be this:

1.) Sign one of the top OT's in free agency to replace Trent Brown (who I assume we will let walk). That takes care of one tackle spot. And we can draft the other tackle in rounds 2+ and have him compete with whoever we tried out there last year before we moved Onwenu outside. The interior of the line should be OK with Sow manning RG, Andrews suiting up for another season, and Strange healing up to man the LG spot. Not ideal, but a different blocking scheme could help (we tried this with Patricia though).

2.) Resign our own free agents in Kendrick Bourne (who I think will come with a bit of an ACL/Hometown discount) Anfernee Jennings, Mack Wilson, Pharaoh Brown, and/or Hunter Henry. These guys should provide us with some value....hope none of them wants to break the bank.

3.) Sign our Dugger replacement. Doesn't have to be as good, but needs to be solid enough and doesn't break the bank.

4.) Dip into the DEEP FA defensive player market for upgrades all across the board so we can go offense heavy in the draft.

Excellent post, thanks for the deep analysis.

From the positions in the poll, I would begin by eliminating top tier QB and top tier RB. I would make those the last priorities and go with a 2nd tier player at each position.

I really like the idea of getting one starting caliber OT in FA (could be Onwenu, could be someone else), and another early in the draft. Unfortunately that will be expensive.

While a top tier WR sounds nice at first glance, as @TheRainMaker mentioned the top WRs won't be cheap. Even though the Pats have plenty of cap space available, with so many positions of need they will likely use that up relatively quickly. That may not be a realistic option.

And with some many positions in need of either an upgrade or re-signing, the Patriots will have to do something substantial in free agency. In the past we fans for a splash (expensive) player to put us over the top. But with this many areas of need, it may be worth considering a bit less money per FA, so that more positions can be adressed.

 

[borg]

Another giant smenza light house to create feng shui balance.......also with a tiny bell

 

[Ross12]

How can I take this list seriously ? Would anyone here actually choose perennial loser Herbert over Burrows ? And IF Herbert were to actually be the 4th QB going into next season, doesn’t that say A LOT about the sad state of affairs ? I’d go Hurts ahead of him as well. As well as Love, Stroud, even lovable loser Prescott - at least he has a winning % career….


Holy cow. Murray “I need to sign a contract to limit my Nintendo screen time” from Arizona is #11 ?!?

The worst one is Trevor Lawrence over Burrow. Good lord. What was this person on when they wrote this?

 

[Joey007]

What teams need to free up cap, who could release or trade good WRs on the cheap?
That’s our target.

Right now Pittman is going to be a very rich man.

Chargers (Keenan Allen, Mike Williams)

Titans (Hopkins)

 

[Joey007]

Onwenu is a great guard, a decent tackle...if he wants tackle money you have to let him go....plus we don't know the scheme fit yet.
OT is pretty bad in FA, two of the top 3 are our guys, plus one 33yro who has spent his entire career in Dallas

Your second point kinda negates the first point. Good luck finding a decent young OT elsewhere, unless you spend the #3 pick on a tackle.

I'd rather overpay him than have no one to block for the new QB.

 

[signbabybrady]

I'd start by re-signing Dugger and going after a very good edge rusher. Make sure the D does not drop off because we are going to need it.

Are there any really good pass catching backs to compliment Rham. Again we are going to need to rely on our RBs.

I want QB at 3 so we need to do everything we can to make it easier.

We also need to invest in the OL but from what I read that might not be as easy not much out there. Maybe have to do a trade. And definitely draft a tackle in Rd 2 or 3.

 

[MahomestoKelce]

Dak, Lawrence, and Herbert over Burrow is definitely something...

 

[Headcase]

Your second point kinda negates the first point. Good luck finding a decent young OT elsewhere, unless you spend the #3 pick on a tackle.

I'd rather overpay him than have no one to block for the new QB.

My second point is based on others rankings not mine or the teams, rumors say that don't want to pay Mike, maybe because they see him as a Guard....just guessing.

I'm in on spending #3 (or changing it into #6 and change) on a LT....and I'd happily spend our 3rd rounder or better on a RT.