Patriots Restructured David Andrews’ Deal to Get Draft Picks Signed

Ian Logue

11 months ago at 2:27 pm ET

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

With New England sitting with little cap room, something had to give in order for them to get their final three draft picks signed.

Apparently, it looks like the Patriots made a move that not only freed up money so that they could cross rookies Cole Strange, Tyquan Thornton, and Bailey Zappe off of their “to-do” list while also taking care of a key member of their offense.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Patriots restructured center David Andrews’ contract by converting $3.15 mllion of his compensation into a signing bonus, which freed up $2.1 million in cap space in order to get their final three rookies signed heading into next month’s training camp.

Prior to the move, resident Patriots cap expert Miguel Benzan had the club sitting with just $142k of cap room, which meant a move needed to happen so that the club could get their picks signed. He previously projected the team needed $1.75 million in cap space in order to get all three under contract.

Following this transaction, the Patriots are back to having little wiggle room, with Benzan currently showing the team sitting with just under $360k in cap space.

More moves are likely coming but for now, this latest transaction at least alleviates one of their more urgent needs and instead allows all three players to focus on football when they hit the field just over one month from now.