PATRIOTS NEWS Official 2024 Free Agency Thread - Ongoing

[signbabybrady]

Idk. Better record than the Pats.

Of course, only ring is that old Joe Willie upset thing from more than half a century ago.

It was fixed too. Just ask Bubba Smith Colts DL and one of cinemas great police officer.

 

[Real fan 02]

It is what it is. Jonathan is little small too. I think between Jonathan and Marcus they'll figure it out.

As to FS I think Peppers and Dugger are both suited for more in the box type stuff but they both are also too good to worry about that and you use them at FS too. File under just getting your best players on the field.

If all are other corners develop Jonathan can pitch in at FS but I think we'll probably need one more year out of him at corner and I'm good with that but clearly I'm big a fan of his and of Marcus.

I think you draft or sign some vet help at FS and Corner to round out the group too. (Draft being a later Rd pick)

Agreed, we have such a great problem to have with having some great patriots players that all play well together and have the cohesion and understanding of each other's duties on defense.

 

[Real fan 02]

People are underrating Marcus Jones's ability to play CB. He's really good. He wasn't drafted to be a returner; he was drafted to be a slot corner. That's what he was known for in college and in his one whole game last year, he played well.

I do believe he can play CB in the slot, he's not an outside CB.. he has great instincts, elite speed and quickness. He also happens to be an all pro return specialist as well. He is an exciting player to watch. We have a nice group of young guys at corner all trying to make thier names in the league.

 

[Real fan 02]

He got badly burnt and getting his ankles broken all day in the playoff game against Doubs. That was tough to watch.

Yeah gilly is 32, not 26 when he was in his prime, and he was with us where he played his best ball of his career. He's a great mentor, #2 at this stage in his career.

 

[Love The Drake]

My boy who’s a huge Eagles fan claims he’s hearing the Eagles could ship AJ Brown to us for a third this year and a conditional pick next year

 

[Love The Drake]

My boy who’s a huge Eagles fan claims he’s hearing the Eagles could ship AJ Brown to us for a third this year and a conditional pick next year

I don’t see it happening personally.

 

[signbabybrady]

I don’t see it happening personally.

 

[Love The Drake]

I can’t tell if your insulting me or complimenting my intelligence.

 

[signbabybrady]

I can’t tell if your insulting me or complimenting my intelligence.

Just goofing around

 

[patman12]

I can’t tell if your insulting me or complimenting my intelligence.

Yes

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Draft this dude in 5th round. He's a safety!

Looks really fast in those clips. Ran a 4.62 Forty at the combine. Not fast at all.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

UDFA? Yes please.

Draft pick, even a 7th? No thanks.

I think that is a bit harsh. 6th is OK. Kid is slow, but his hands are good, vision is good, tough and strong, and very versatile. But slow. 6th or 7th.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I hadn't thought of Jonathan Jones moving to FS. Intriguing.

Made me think back to when Devin McCourty was moved from corner to safety, and certain fans/sports talk decided that decision was proof that he was a draft bust.

I love J Jones but he is a smurf, McCourty was tall and fast. No comparison at FS. PatsFans loves to talk about Strange at LT and J Jones at FS. No idea why.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Want to see what Marco Wilson can do when he’s not forced into that #1 CB role.

Kid is hugely talented. Agreed it would help if he is covering a #2. He has had attitude issues in college and at Arizona. I really hope it works out, but not likely.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Unproven Alex Austin?
Shaun Wade a Minute??
Myles of Space Bryant???

Keep trying…

Alex Austin did look good at times and was only a rookie. He is 6'1" and will be 200+lbs. in 2024, so he is not a smurf. A little slow, but has good instincts. Might be serviceable as CB3, maybe CB2 in 2025.

Let's hope and pray he sticks. Can not stand Myles Bryant. Dude kills me.

Sign Gilmore to play CB2. He is great in zone too. We are bargain basement shopping team, and Gilmore will be cheap.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Only if you don't count a team's own FAs as FAs.

Mike Onwenu was a more significant OL signing than anything the JEST did. They also signed Leverett and Okorafor - who seems like a better bet than Kinlaw.

The Pats OL remains an unknown quantity, but Sow, Mafi, and Andrews all contributed last year, and Sow, in particular, looks like he's going to be a very good NFL OL.

Yes, the Smith miss (if he even would have come here) could prove bad, but AVP knows Wheatley, Anderson says he's back healthy again, and Okorafor has played lots and lots of games at tackle.

Agreed, I assume a 2nd round LT pick, and Strange was hurt all year and should be healthy. Still a hodge podge but it could work out OK. Definitely better than last year.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

At this point I don't think the Patriots will sign a veteran free agent free safety - and I'm warming up to the idea of Jonathan Jones in that spot. Regardless, here's a list of those with any starting experience at the position that are still available.

Justin Simmons, 30, Denver; 2x Pro Bowl, 7 year starter
Eddie Jackson, 30, Chicago; 2x Pro Bowl, 7 year starter
Quandre Diggs, 31, Detroit; 3x Pro Bowl, 7 year starter
Micah Hyde, 33, Buffalo; 1x Pro Bowl, 8 year starter
Tracy Walker, 29, Detroit; 3 year starter
Marcus Maye, 31, Saints; 4 year starter
Adrian Phillips, 32, Patriots; 1x pro Bowl, 4 year starter
Tashaun Gipson, 33, 49ers; 1x Pro Bowl, 11 year starter
Julian Blackmon, 25, Colts; 3 year starter
Keanu Neal, 28, Pittsburgh; 1x Pro Bowl, 3 year starter
John Johnson, 28, LA Rams; 5 year starter
Will Harris, 28, Detroit; 2 year starter
Justin Evans, 28, Philadelphia; 2 year starter
Rudy Ford, 29, Green Bay; 1 year starter

Simmons plus Gilmore would be OK. Not great but OK. Gilmore is a bit slower, but we have some fast guys in Gonzo, and J and M Jones, so we can hide the lack of speed when needed. In a zone Gilmore is great, and he will get us a few picks as well.

 

[Real fan 02]

I don’t see it happening personally.

I'll say though... if it did.. I know we will be getting a #1 here.. just by the looks of how mayo went about FA and leaving all the cap room.. IMO it's to consume a WR contract.

 

[Real fan 02]

I love J Jones but he is a smurf, McCourty was tall and fast. No comparison at FS. PatsFans loves to talk about Strange at LT and J Jones at FS. No idea why.

Maybe because J. Jones played safety a numerous times during his tenure.. like for example he was lined up at safety in the last superbowl against rams.. he's 5"10.. Dmac was 5"11... dmac was one of the leagues best for a long time no comparison there.. he's done the job.. I believe it's just more of us saying he's a viable option at FS.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Maybe because J. Jones played safety a numerous times during his tenure.. like for example he was lined up at safety in the last superbowl against rams.. he's 5"10.. Dmac was 5"11... dmac was one of the leagues best for a long time no comparison there.. he's done the job.. I believe it's just more of us saying he's a viable option at FS.

I agree that J Jones can play safety. He can play anywhere in the secondary, but he is not an ideal starting free safety. J Jones is listed at 5'9" on patriots.com which is generous.

We would greatly benefit from a top, or even above average, starting full-time free safety. We never replaced DMac after he left. I don't think Duggar or Peppers are great free safeties either, even though they have played there.