There's no way we can afford the FA approach being similar to what we saw last season, correct?

[Simpelton]

Regardless of who the guy is calling the shots, I can't see anyway it would be justifiable to run with the same "sitting on your hands" approach to things we saw last offseason. You could understand it to extents last year, as it felt like they were focused on retaining guys on the market and having sort of a reset season. I didn't completely agree, but it made sense in that perspective.

I really feel like you can't pull that crap again this year. Losing the number 1 pick made you lose that privilege entirely. I think I could have understood the build primarily through the draft approach had we been in a position to stockpile picks, but now you will very likely not be in that position at pick 4. The teams that can afford doing this are teams like Detroit that pretty much fell into a gold mine of picks from the Stafford trade, or Houston with the Watson trade. I love that approach IF you have the draft capital and talent on the roster that you can sell off for that capital. But that's not our situation.

You are going to have to be more aggressive with your money if you want this team to show any signs of growth next year. Your best signing can't be a backup running back. The draft simply won't be enough. You have more money than anyone else with next to no one to resign. Use it.

We don't have to. We have a QB right now. Potentially two. We're way more attractive than we were last year because this year we have our QBOTF in the room, and a possible spare in the back room.

 

[Huckleberry1]

People seem to forget that last year the NFL gave teams an extra 30 million plus towards the cap, and teams were able to use that to protect their best players. Unless there is another windfall like that this year’s free agent market should be much better than last year’s

I expect a much more aggressive approach, and better results, as the coach and QB situation will be vastly improved.

 

[1960Pats]

For the record, I am aware there were some situations where we reportedly "tried" like the pursuit of Calvin Ridley. But we definitely found ourselves standing down when the numbers became a little too uncomfortable. Ridley isn't great, but he's sure better than anything we had here this season.

Ridley wasn't/isn't worth what he's getting.

What hurt the Pats most of all was the large increase in the cap. They had "cash to burn" but nobody to spend it on. Fans here were throwing around names but none of them ended up FAs.

This year should be better.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Yeah, in hindsight it looks really bad. The only saving grace "might" be is a return to form; predicated on the new regime not pinballing him here and there every other week... still an overpay, but maybe not as egregious?

It’s hard for any OL to look good when those around him suck. I think Onwenu will return to better form with good coaches and a better line around him.

 

[Clonamery]

People seem to forget that last year the NFL gave teams an extra 30 million plus towards the cap, and teams were able to use that to protect their best players. Unless there is another windfall like that this year’s free agent market should be much better than last year’s

I expect a much more aggressive approach, and better results, as the coach and QB situation will be vastly improved.

If that happens then the Draft should also be more pointed to BAP and have better team results.

 

[Wozzy]

It’s hard for any OL to look good when those around him suck. I think Onwenu will return to better form with good coaches and a better line around him.

This ^

This is true of every position.

PFF told us Stephon Gilmore was a poor player because he played on a bad Buffalo defense... was he bad?

 

[Wozzy]

As far as last year's approach... Wolf can't evaluate young talent, I don't see how that's going to change.

 

[mgteich]

If that happens then the Draft should also be more pointed to BAP and have better team results.

You are positing that those running the draft will have a different approach this year.

I hope so.

Of course, BPA was right last year also.

 

[Clonamery]

You are positing that those running the draft will have a different approach this year.

I hope so.

Of course, BPA was right last year also.

Don't kill the mood.

 

[Clonamery]

As far as last year's approach... Wolf can't evaluate young talent, I don't see how that's going to change.

Debbie Downer.

 

[TommyD4207]

Debbie Downer.

Trading out of Ladd McConkey for Ja'lynn Polk

 

[Ray Ray 717]

https://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/10149530-2025-nfl-free-agency-big-board-ranking-top-50-players-before-wild-card-weekend

I'd kind of like to see them go crazy with DEFENSIVE signings this offseason. Especially if they Vrabel in as HC.

S Jevon Holland
EDGE Azeez Ojulari
CB Charvarius Ward
LB Dre Greenlaw
DT BJ Hill

And then draft EDGE Abdul Carter from Penn State at #4. Defensive depth chart would be:

IDL: Barmore, Hill, Godchaux (White on passing downs too)
EDGE: Ojulari, White, Carter, Jennings (some Tavai as well)
LB: Greenlaw, Bentley, Tavai, Mapu
CB: Gonzalez, Ward, Marcus Jones
S: Holland, Dugger, Peppers

With good coaching I think that can be an elite unit. It's a lot of money, but we have plenty of cap space for them now and in the future.

Offensively, Higgins seems harder to sell so I'm not confident we can pry him from CINC or from teams with more ready-made to excel situations. But even if the offense isn't "solved" next year, they can still add respectability.

LT Dan Moore
RT Morgan Moses
WR Darius Slayton

None of those 3 are on that top 50 list, but I think all would be starters here. Still not enough talent on offense to "solve" things, but if they make a good hire there's be enough to foster Maye's development IMO. Set yourself up so next year your seen as ready to turn the corner on offense, with a great defense in place.

You lost me at Darius “ba ba black sheep” slayton. If that’s your plan to upgrade our receiving weapons for our rookie franchise QB, then he will fail. Please get Maye some help. Why invest in a franchise QB if you’re not going to surround him with real weapons?

 

[Wozzy]

Debbie Downer.

The first step in fixing a problem is admitting you have one.

 

[p8ryts]

I disagree. You have to burn the cash. You have to maximize every penny.
You will never win on every signing. Every team has a percentage of their cap tied up in overpayment vs what they get. So what. It’s not better to have no one and pocket the money. We could have signed 3 $10 million busts this year and we’d be pretty much right where we are. Kraft keeping it in the bank isn’t better than a player getting it

I've never been a supporter of free agent spending, but I think this year is the year to make some commitments. Focus on youth. Don't go for long in the tooth candidates. I picked these guys off of the list huge pats fan posted. Probably most of these won't even get to free agency. It would be nice to get a couple of them. Greenlaw and Hufanga are personal favorites.

Alaric Jackson, OT, Los Angeles Rams
Ernest Jones IV, LB, Seattle Seahawks
Charles Omenihu, DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Josh Sweat, Edge, Philadelphia Eagles​

Dre Greenlaw, LB, San Francisco 49ers​

Talanoa Hufanga, S, San Francisco 49ers​

Azeez Ojulari, Edge, New York Giants​

Trey Smith, G, Kansas City Chiefs​

 

[Uptown]

 

[VJCPatriot]

The Pats do this again, their fans go the way of the Red Sox fans, regardless of who the new HC is.

No excuse to leave all that cap space on the table this year, let alone twice in a row.

We've got to spend that money wisely and in large amounts.

New starting LT, new starting WR. Pay the premium money to get them into the building.



Then you fill in your other needs with lower tier free agents and the draft.

 

[ViperGTS]

Jeffrey Simmons, Tenn D tackle liked a "Tweet" about him coming to NE. He loves Vrabel and thinks very highly of Drake Maye. Has a 20 per contract for the next two seasons,

Do it. 3rd? for him?

 

[TommyD4207]

Jeffrey Simmons, Tenn D tackle liked a "Tweet" about him coming to NE. He loves Vrabel and thinks very highly of Drake Maye. Has a 20 per contract for the next two seasons,

Do it. 3rd? for him?

We have an extra 3rd
They'd be incredibly stupid not to. He's only 27.

 

[Real fan 02]

Imagine the money they would've had if they hadn't blown it on Dugger, Owenu, Barmore and Rham. Dugger and Owenu should've been let to walk in FA and Barmore and Rham would be on prove it deals. Just awful GM'ing.

Those deals were done out of criticism of the team being 32nd or close to it in cash spending.. also they had to spend to comply with the league rules in spending.

 

[Real fan 02]

Jeffrey Simmons, Tenn D tackle liked a "Tweet" about him coming to NE. He loves Vrabel and thinks very highly of Drake Maye. Has a 20 per contract for the next two seasons,

Do it. 3rd? for him?

Absolutely do it... he would be perfect for us on the defensive front.