{"id":58751,"date":"2025-03-05T10:00:49","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T15:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=58751"},"modified":"2025-03-05T10:04:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T15:04:36","slug":"morse-thoughts-on-patriots-and-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2025\/03\/05\/morse-thoughts-on-patriots-and-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: Thoughts On the Patriots and NFL Free Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"

Free Agency starts in a few days with legal tampering allowed starting March 10th<\/sup> at 12 noon.\u00a0 Teams had to designate players as Franchise tagged by 4PM on March 4th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Be Prepared for Disappointment\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Salary Cap went up significantly again and this hurts the Patriots rebuild very badly.\u00a0 The number for 2025 has been finalized between the league and Players Association.\u00a0 The final number is $279.1M.\u00a0 The Patriots will have $130M to spend but will not have quality players available in the Free Agency Pool because teams will be flush with new money to re-sign or franchise tag their own Free Agents.<\/p>\n

In order to get these Free Agents to come here the Patriots will have to Overpay with crazy salary numbers. \u00a0It has been documented that Foxboro is not a place where players want to come to:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. It’s in the middle of nowhere and has no night life.<\/li>\n
  2. The team has one of the lowest ratings in the Players Association Survey. The team ranked next to last (31st<\/sup>) in the 2024 survey released last week. \u00a0The two major issues were the antiquated Weight Room (F-) and the Team Travel (F-).\u00a0 The team is addressing some of the players\u2019 concerns with a new training facility and has improved the Family Services.<\/li>\n
  3. The Massachusetts Millionaires Tax. Keion White was on a podcast earlier last season complaining how much of his paycheck was taken by taxes. The Patriots lost Jakobi Meyers because of the Millionaires Tax.<\/li>\n
  4. Players don\u2019t want to play in Foxboro because of the bad weather. Neither do their families like the weather.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    With the new coaching staff under Mile Vrabel and the establishment of Drake Maye as the starting QB, these are two factors that should help attract Free Agents.<\/p>\n

    Patriots Free Agent Targets<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    In my initial Mock Draft in January, I listed Free Agents I would sign, setting up the priority of the draft.\u00a0 That hasn\u2019t changed but the availability of top tier Free Agents has.\u00a0 The priority must be signing proven veteran Offensive linemen.\u00a0 I am looking for a Left Tackle, Left Guard and a Center.\u00a0 It\u2019s not that I don\u2019t like the Offensive Linemen in the Draft, but only one of them is a plug and play player and he plays Right Tackle.<\/p>\n

    Only Two Players Receive Franchise Tags<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The Bengals have franchise-tagged Tee Higgins for the 2nd and last time.\u00a0 This takes him out of the free-agent market.\u00a0 Cincy is hoping a team will offer a trade in a sign-and-trade deal.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if Higgins is a long-term holdout if they can\u2019t work out a trade.\u00a0 I am talking about holding out until mid-season, just short of the amount of games needed to fulfill a \u201cseason\u201d of time accrued, enough so that he gets credit for the year and fulfills the 2nd<\/sup> Franchise tag. \u00a0\u00a0The Patriots have indicated they will not pursue Higgins in a trade.<\/p>\n

    Kansas City Franchise Tagged G Trey Smith. \u00a0They are hoping to sign Smith to a long-term contract.<\/p>\n

    Players Re-signed with their Original Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Alaric Jackson re-signed with the Rams taking the Left Tackle out of the Free Agent Pool.\u00a0 Once the Rams re-structured Mattew Stafford\u2019s contract, that freed up enough money to sign Jackson.<\/p>\n

    Dallas restructured Ceedee Lamb\u2019s contract and freed up $20M.\u00a0 DT Osa Odighizuwa signed a 4-year $80M contract with Dallas and avoided the Franchise Tag.<\/p>\n

    Who Is Available That Should Interest the Patriots?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The obvious choice at Left Tackle, and most likely to sign because of the money, is Ronnie Stanley of the Ravens.\u00a0 Stanley is 30 years old and was ranked this past season by Pro Football Focus as the #39 Offensive Tackle.\u00a0 If Stanley signs, then the Patriots would have to draft a Left Tackle to replace him in a couple of years.\u00a0 Spotrac has Stanley\u2019s Market Value at $20M a year for a 2-year contract.\u00a0 Ravens GM Eric DeCosta has been negotiating with Stanley in hopes of re-signing him, but they did not apply the Franchise tag.<\/p>\n

    Another player I like is Matt Pert a 6\u20197\u201d 318 – pound Right Tackle from Denver.\u00a0 The UConn product had a 67.4 rating from PFF good for 41st<\/sup> ranking.\u00a0 \u00a0Spotrac has his market Value at $1.8M on a 1-year contract.\u00a0 I think that is low given the increased amount of money available.\u00a0 This doesn\u2019t solve our LT problem, but the 28-year-old is an upgrade on the right side.<\/p>\n

    Cam Robinson is the most experienced player remaining.\u00a0 I am not thrilled about getting Robinson as I think he is a dog.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0His true PFF ranking is 55th<\/sup>.\u00a0 That\u2019s an improvement over Vederian Lowe (92) but barely enough to be a starter in the NFL.\u00a0 His Spotrac Market Value is $14M a year for 3 years.\u00a0 Given there is little competition for him, I think his market number will be much higher.\u00a0 Probably closer to $20M.<\/p>\n

    The backup plan at Guard is Tevin Jenkins from Chicago.\u00a0 The 6\u20196\u201d 324-pound guard will be 27 when the season starts and had 75.4 PFF rating good for 12th<\/sup> amongst starting Guards.\u00a0 Spotrac has his market value as $10.3M for 3-years.\u00a0 I think that is a little low.<\/p>\n

    Drew Dalman a Center from Atlanta is just 26.\u00a0 David Andrews may play one more year.\u00a0 Jake Andrews can\u2019t be counted on.\u00a0 Ben Brown gave it his all, but he was ranked as one of the worst Centers in the league.\u00a0 I\u2019m also not sure if Cole Strange can play Center.\u00a0 Dalman finished as #12 in the league in 9 games with a 78.8 rating.\u00a0 Spotrac has his market value as $6.8M per year for 3-years.<\/p>\n

    Chris Godwin is a risk coming off a dislocated ankle.\u00a0 He was having an excellent season up to that point.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure I would spend the capital on a Free Agent coming back from injury.\u00a0 If he agreed to a 1-year prove it deal, that could be a possibility.<\/p>\n

    Elijah Moore is still young (24) and coming off his best season with 61 receptions.\u00a0 He is small at 5\u201991\/2\u201d<\/sup> and 180-pounds.\u00a0 His work would be as a slot receiver where the Patriots already have the underutilized Pop Douglas.\u00a0 Moore\u2019s PFF Rating was 58.5 good for 124th<\/sup> amongst WRs.\u00a0 His Spotrac Market Value is a one year $4.5M contract.\u00a0 Well worth investigating.<\/p>\n

    In the end, I think it might be a trade for Higgins or AJ Brown.\u00a0 Cooper Kupp is a possibility if he gets cut by LA Rams as a cap casualty.\u00a0 I am not interested in Davante Adams or Keenan Allen.<\/p>\n

    I believe the Patriots will be acquiring a running back in Free Agency.\u00a0 The most attractive candidate is Najee Harris from Pittsburgh.\u00a0 Mike Vrabel likes big backs and at 6\u20191\u201d 242-pounds Harris qualifies.\u00a0 Last season he ran for 1023 yards (4.0 YPC) and 6 TDs.\u00a0 He had zero fumbles.\u00a0 Harris is no threat in the passing game.\u00a0 His PFF ranking was 18th<\/sup> and Spotrac estimated a 3-year $9.7M a year contract should get it done.<\/p>\n

    On Defense, they need help on the Edge.\u00a0 I\u2019m just not sold on Josh Sweat.\u00a0 He had a 70.0 PFF Rating good for 41st<\/sup> among Edge players in the league.\u00a0 That is not very good.\u00a0 However, everyone saw what a disruptive force he can be as evident of his play in the Super Bowl versus the KC Chiefs.\u00a0 \u00a0Spotrac has its market value at a whopping $18.8 M per year for 3 years for Sweat.\u00a0 The Patriots were last in the league in rushing the passers.\u00a0 He had 8 sacks last season and 43 for his career.\u00a0 I\u2019m a pass on Sweat.<\/p>\n

    Super Bowl winner Milton Williams wants to cash in after the big win.\u00a0 The Defensive End is projected to sign a 3-year, $12M per season ($36M) contract with at least two thirds of it guaranteed.\u00a0 The Patriots may have to increase that offer to get him to come to Foxboro.\u00a0 Williams has a PFF Rating of 70.1 good for 29th<\/sup>.\u00a0 The 6\u2019 3\u201d 290-pound end is perfect for the new Defensive scheme.\u00a0 In the Super Bowl, he had 2 sacks, a Forced Fumble and a Fumble Recovery.<\/p>\n

    Another defender the Patriots have their eyes on is the Jets LB Jamien Sherwood. \u00a0\u00a0The 6\u20192\u201d, 216-pound linebacker from Auburn racked up an incredible 156 tackles in 2024.\u00a0 That included 98 solo tackles.\u00a0 Sherwood is just 25 years old and has a PFF Rating of 72.8, good for 35th<\/sup> amongst the linebackers.\u00a0 Spotrac has his Market Value at $7.1M on a 2-year contract.\u00a0 I feel that is very low given how flush the teams are with new money under the cap.\u00a0 I could see the Patriots extending an offer that he can\u2019t refuse to come play under Terrell Williams and Mike Vrabel.<\/p>\n

    A perfect player for the type of Defense that Terrell Williams and Mike Vrabel want to run is Zack Baun of Philadelphia.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d 225 backer is the sideline-to-sideline backer they want.\u00a0 He was the #1 rated LB by PFF this season with a 90.1 rating.\u00a0 \u00a0That includes 92 Tackles. 4 sacks, and an INT.\u00a0 The Eagles signed the 28-year-old to a very cheap one-year contract.\u00a0 Spotrac has his Market Value set at $9.7M per season for a 2-year contract.\u00a0 The Patriots can afford to up that amount to entice him to come here.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t be surprised to see a dummy, non-guaranteed year added to boost the overall Dollar value.\u00a0 Players measure themselves by the Dollar value of their contracts.<\/p>\n

    Eliot Wolf never addressed the problem at Free Safety last year, either through Free Agency or Draft.\u00a0 The Patriots tried to fill the position with Jaylinn Hawkins, Kyle Dugger and Jon Jones.\u00a0 None succeeded.\u00a0 Jevon Holland from Miami is a 25-year-old Free Safety with experience and savvy.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0His PFF rating was 63, good for a 47th<\/sup> ranking among all safeties.\u00a0 His projected Market Value by Spotrac is $15.1M per year for 4 years.<\/p>\n

    Cornerback is a sneaky need for the Patriots.\u00a0 Jon Jones is 31 and a Free Agent.\u00a0 The team has been negotiating with him to bring him back to what will probably be a reduced salary.\u00a0 The top Free Agent is Carlton Davis from Detroit.\u00a0 The 6\u20191\u201d 206-pound CB has a PFF Ranting of 74.,5 good for 29th<\/sup> in the league.<\/p>\n

    Morse\u2019s Morsels<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Davon Godchaux has been given permission by the Patriots to seek a trade.\u00a0 He has never missed a game in his 4-year career with the Patriots.\u00a0 This past season he had 67 tackles, second best in his career and the most since 2019 when he had 75 tackles.\u00a0 Godchaux has two years remaining on the contract he signed last season and carries $8.3M Cap savings in 2025.\u00a0 His age is working against him as he will turn 31 during the 2025 season. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This is a great draft for Interior Defensive linemen which will devalue Godchaux trade market. \u00a0\u00a0This news makes it apparent that Godchaux\u2019s play as a Nose Tackle, does not fit the new Defense that Defensive Coordinator Terrell Williams is installing.\u00a0 Rumor has it that New Orleans is interested and have offered a swap of picks with the Patriots picking up their 4th<\/sup> round pick (#111) for Godchaux and the Patriots 5th<\/sup> (#145).\u00a0 If Godchaux is traded, look for the patriots to sign a DT in Free Agency and select two or more in the draft.<\/p>\n

    Another player that wasn\u2019t in the defensive plans is LB Sione Takitaki who was released last week.\u00a0 Takitaki had a pre-existing knee injury which kept him out of action.\u00a0 The knee problem surfaced back in April shortly after he signed up as a Free Agent.\u00a0 He was limited in Organized Team Activities and eventually required a knee scope just prior to Training Camp.\u00a0 He started the season on the Physically Unable to Play list.\u00a0 He missed 6 games to start the season and didn\u2019t have any impact until Game 16 versus the Chargers where he had 8 tackles.\u00a0 He only had 21 tackles in the season.<\/p>\n

    NFL Players Association Team Survey came out last week.\u00a0 The lack of childcare for players with families was one of the bigger issues amongst older veteran players, but the Patriots improved that area by assigning a full time person to address their concerns.\u00a0 They received a C- rating.\u00a0 The two area where the team is lacking the most is the antiquated weight room (F-), which will be addressed when the new facility is built.\u00a0 The team travel also received an F- grade.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0The planes the Patriots own are very old, 1980\u2019s model commercial aircraft.\u00a0 There is no Wi-Fi onboard, the seats are cramped, and the seats are so old they still have ashtrays in them.\u00a0 The Coaching staff received a B+ grade (24th<\/sup>) and the Strength and Conditioning staff received a B grade (26th<\/sup>).\u00a0 Robert Kraft as the owner received a D grade which ranked 29th<\/sup>.\u00a0 As I stated earlier in this article, this is a major reason why NFL players don\u2019t want to play here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Free Agency starts in a few days with legal tampering allowed starting March 10th at 12 noon.\u00a0 Teams had to designate players as Franchise tagged by 4PM on March 4th.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":58539,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-58751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news"],"yoast_head":"\nMORSE: Thoughts On the Patriots and NFL Free Agency<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Free Agency starts in a few days with legal tampering allowed starting March 10th at 12 noon.\u00a0 Teams had 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My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob \u201cHarpo\u201d Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. 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