Offseason Plan: (Overthecap- $4,683,946)
1. Cut Vince Wilfork- (Cap-$12,188,046)
2. Cut Sopoaga-(Cap-$14,193,046)
3. Cut Kelly-(Cap-$16,198,046)
4. June 1 cut Adrain Wilson(Cap-$17,275,380)
5. Extend McCourty 4 years with 10m signing bonus and move 2014 salary to 1m(Cap-18,195,380)
6. Extend Gostkowski 4 years with 5m signing bonus moving 2014 salary to 900k(Cap-19,195,380)
7.Sign Talib
8.Sign Michael Johnson
9. Sign Hakeem Nicks
11. Sign Blount or Joique Bell
12. Sign Fletcher
13. Draft as following G, WR, DT, TE (
http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2014/01/2014-patriots-mock-draft-senior-bowl-edition.html)
Wilfork is a great player, but with the emergence of Silver Siliga, it doesn't make sense to be paying a run stuffer 8m. Pats need pass rush MIchael Johnson can join Jones/Ninkovich and alternate at DE and have Jones play DT on third downs. The Patriots can also alternate the 2nd round pass rushing DT with Armstead and Chris Jones. The Defense would be pretty much set maybe draft a LB for depth purposes.
On the offensive side the Pats can move Connolly to center and play a first round Guard. At WR they can Play Dobson, Nicks and Amendola with the third round TE.
Depth chart:
QB: Brady, Mallet
RB: Ridley, Blount, Vereen, Bolden
FB: Develin
X WR: Dobson, Thomkins, Harrison
Z WR: Brandon Coleman, Moe
Slot WR: Amendola, Boyce
TE: Gronk, 3rd round TE
LT: Solder
LG: Mankins, Kline
C: Connolly, Cvave
RG: Zack Matin
RT: Volmer, Cannon
LE: Ninkovich, Buchanan, Bequette
DT: Siliga, Vellano
DT: Daquan Jones Armstead, Chris Jones
RE: Jones, Michael Johnson
WlB: Mayo
MLB: Hightower, Beauharnus
SLB: Collins, Fletcher
CB:Talib, Green
CB: Dennard
Slot CB:Arringron\Ryan
FS: McCourty, Harmon
SS: Gregory, Wilson, Ebnear