Patriots' Priorities for the 2023 Season

[j44thor]

Count me in as someone who will be floored if the Pats get a top end WR. The need to upgrade the receiving talent is pretty obvious but I'm convinced that philosophically BB is far more in favor of "we need a bunch of good players" than "we need an outstanding player" (at least at non QB positions). I think he'd rather drop from 14 to 18 get the USC receiver and a new kicker in the fifth round and have the extra cap space to re-sign Bryant and Peppers than trade 14 for Hopkins, for example.

I agree the draft is a much better route to upgrade at WR especially for NE who are multiple pieces away, not an alpha WR like a Diggs or AJ Brown away.
Trade back from 14 collect an extra 2nd, draft a JSN/Addison/Q Johnston in the late 1st then fix the OL/DB in 2nd & 3rd and grab a value RB in the 4th.
NE is in a tough spot with a lot of cap space in a weak FA class. I hope they don't make the same mistake as they did a few years ago and pay over market value on the Henry and Jonnu's of the world just because they can.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

I agree the draft is a much better route to upgrade at WR especially for NE who are multiple pieces away, not an alpha WR like a Diggs or AJ Brown away.
Trade back from 14 collect an extra 2nd, draft a JSN/Addison/Q Johnston in the late 1st then fix the OL/DB in 2nd & 3rd and grab a value RB in the 4th.
NE is in a tough spot with a lot of cap space in a weak FA class. I hope they don't make the same mistake as they did a few years ago and pay over market value on the Henry and Jonnu's of the world just because they can.

I would normally agree with you on using the draft to upgrade at WR.

I just have serious, serious reservations about BB being the guy to identify the right WR in the draft.

I will forever have nightmares about the N'Keal Harry draft pick.

 

[Reverend]

I will forever have nightmares about the N'Keal Harry draft pick.

The words: Chad Jackson.

 

[Toe Nash]

I like the idea, but BB while has had decent success trading for WR but the best deals have been under-the-radar guys like Welker or the unicorn which was an unhappy Randy Moss. Then there was Cooks (took a first rounder and a third-for-fourth swap), Ochocinco, and other than that a lot of guys like Cordarelle Patterson that he acquired for low picks when they were probably going to be cut anyway. I doubt he would make a big splash kind of deal for someone mentioned above unless there is someone who is disgruntled somewhere and I don't think he's trading the first rounder unless it's to trade down during the draft.

The other challenge is that he may not really know what kind of player can have success in the offense because he doesn't quite know what the offense will be like yet. With Welker or even Cooks you already knew how the offense ran and could see how you might utilize him. When the coaching situation is more settled, maybe they can identify some guys to shoot for.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

The words: Chad Jackson.

Meh, that wasn't as bad (still awful), because they missed on Greg Jennings, Brandon Marshall and Marques Colston much later in the draft.

With Harry, they climbed up and took him ahead of Deebo, Metcalf, AJ Brown, McLaurin, Diontae Johnson, etc. all of whom were rated higher than Harry on most boards. They could have thrown a dart and hit on guys later on like Hunter Renfrow, Scotty Miller, Darius Slayton who all went after pick No. 170 or something...

That draft was loaded at receiver, and the Pats just fucked it up, and then Brady left as a result, IMO.

 

[mcpickl]

I agree the draft is a much better route to upgrade at WR especially for NE who are multiple pieces away, not an alpha WR like a Diggs or AJ Brown away.
Trade back from 14 collect an extra 2nd, draft a JSN/Addison/Q Johnston in the late 1st then fix the OL/DB in 2nd & 3rd and grab a value RB in the 4th.
NE is in a tough spot with a lot of cap space in a weak FA class. I hope they don't make the same mistake as they did a few years ago and pay over market value on the Henry and Jonnu's of the world just because they can.

The one positive over two years ago is the Patriots do have some of their own guys they can spend on.

Besides Jakobi and Jonathan Jones, I hope they get out ahead with the 2020 draft class and extend Dugger/Uche/Onwenu.

 

[Granite Sox]

Denver traded their draft picks for the next couple of years in the top two rounds for Russ, so maybe you could pry Jeudy loose for a 2 to give Denver some draft capital…

 

[j44thor]

One intriguing reclamation project WR, who will be available as a post June cut in March, is Michael Thomas. His game doesn't rely on speed so even losing a 1/2 a step he can still be productive. A big-bodied possession receiver who creates separation with his big frame and precise route running could be really helpful for Mac assuming he can actually stay on the field. I'd expect him to sign a deal with low guaranteed $$ and high incentives to try and rebuild his stock for 24.

I'd rather take a shot on Thomas than give up draft capital and a massive extension to a similar receiver in D Hop.

 

[BigSoxFan]

One intriguing reclamation project WR, who will be available as a post June cut in March, is Michael Thomas. His game doesn't rely on speed so even losing a 1/2 a step he can still be productive. A big-bodied possession receiver who creates separation with his big frame and precise route running could be really helpful for Mac assuming he can actually stay on the field. I'd expect him to sign a deal with low guaranteed $$ and high incentives to try and rebuild his stock for 24.

I'd rather take a shot on Thomas than give up draft capital and a massive extension to a similar receiver in D Hop.

Almost every team would take a flyer on Thomas for low guaranteed $$$ though. There would be much better situations for him to go to than to tie his next contract to Mac Jones, like the Chiefs if Juju is too expensive.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Denver traded their draft picks for the next couple of years in the top two rounds for Russ, so maybe you could pry Jeudy loose for a 2 to give Denver some draft capital…

Nitpick alert: Broncos have a first round pick in 2023. Originally SF's, sent to Broncos from Miami for Chubb

 

[j44thor]

Almost every team would take a flyer on Thomas for low guaranteed $$$ though. There would be much better situations for him to go to than to tie his next contract to Mac Jones, like the Chiefs if Juju is too expensive.

Not many teams have the cap space NE does though. NE could give him a high incentive based contract that KC wouldn't be able to. NYG probably could but there aren't a lot of teams with extra cap space and the need like NE does.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Not many teams have the cap space NE does though. NE could give him a high incentive based contract that KC wouldn't be able to. NYG probably could but there aren't a lot of teams with extra cap space and the need like NE does.

I’d honestly rather sign OBJ. Thomas seems like a waste of time to me. His body has just completely broken down. 10 games in 3 years. What are the odds he can play most of a 17 game season for us in a critical year for Mac? I’d be fine with Thomas as a secondary addition though.

 

[DJnVa]

Silly season already:

Gasper: Would hiring Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator help bring Tom Brady in?

Chris Gasper: I do think they would entertain it. Yeah, I do. I think it’s more on their side than his side. I’ve said that before. But I do think, yes, I think they would entertain that 100%.

Felger: I just, it doesn’t feel like them. It doesn’t feel like them to invest a first round pick in this guy and…

Chris Gasper: Well, let me ask you this. Does it feel like them to announce they’re doing an offensive coordinator search? Does it feel like them sent out a letter to season ticket holders saying they’re going to critically evaluate every aspect of their football operations? Does any of that sound like them?

Felger: No.

 

[Granite Sox]

Edit: stupid cheap shot at Gasper. I don’t agree with his perspective at all.

 

[DJnVa]

More silly season:

 

[Dogman]

Yep, his $40+M cap hit and draft picks would be completely opposite of Belichickian.

Brady back to the Patriots is far more realistic than Rodgers (cheaper, better football player, better looking, and no picks given up) and even that has little basis in reality.

 

[hube]

The "NFL Insider" they refer to is Peter King, whose Patriots takes might as well be printed on Charmin.

 

[bsj]

I cant see Rodgers here. Doesn't make sense on either side IMO. If we were 11-6 last year and felt one piece away, maybe.

 

[DJnVa]

 

[Cotillion]

A lot of the capologists like Miguel were using an estimate of 225 million. So it came in line with the estimates.

 

[DJnVa]

A lot of the capologists like Miguel were using an estimate of 225 million. So it came in line with the estimates.

Yep. As of now the Patriots have the 6th most cap space in the league.