EDITED on 3/15/17, post Hightower signing.
EDITED on 6/21/17, post Harris signing. Changes/updates in RED
We have threads on Free Agency and on the Draft, but both of those are really dependent on how one feels about the state of the depth chart, so here goes.
Number in parentheses is how we spent the majority of 2016.
Current refers to players who are under Patriot control for 2017.
Names in italics are PS/Futures.
Names underlined are guys who ended on IR.
QB: (3)
Current: Brady, Garoppolo, Brissett
All three are under contract, but has been discussed thoroughly, Garoppolo might be traded. I am guessing that if JG is traded, the Pats sign a veteran FA, rather than drafting another developmental guy. No changes here since end of season although there has been a LOT of speculation about JG -- Should he stay or should he go now???
RB: (5)
Current: Gillislee, White, Lewis, Develin, Burkhead, Bolden, Foster, Baby Gronk
LGBT, Bolden, and Develin are FAs. I think all three will be re-signed, with Bolden the least likely and Develin the most likely. Develin re-signed, Burkhead added from Cinci. The latter seems to put one if not both, of LGBT and Bolden in jeopardy. Gillislee added. White extended. Gaffney cut. Bolden re-signed. LGBT gone. Even recognizing that Bolden is mostly a ST guy, I'm not sure we see 6 RBs on the final 53 when the KC game happens. Reports are that Lewis is looking like he has his early 2015 burst back. Not sure what gives here.
WR: (6)
Current: Edelman, Hogan, Amendola, Mitchell, Slater, Cooks, Lucien. Hollister, Carr, White.
Floyd is a FA; Amendola has a high cap hit. I think one of those two makes it to 2017 (DA only in a restructure). I think a veteran FA is signed and a mid-round pick is used to create some competition.
Adding Cooks was unexpected by most, I think. His addition likely spells the end for Floyd and/or Amendola. The first 6 names seem to be locks, barring injury so presumably everyone else (besides Hawkins) is just looking at PS spots. Removed Hawkins name due to his retirement.
TE: (3)
Current: Gronk, Allen, Lengel. Hollister, Cotton, O'Shaughnessy.
Bennett is a FA. Maybe he gets resigned, maybe he signs big money elsewhere. Either way, I would expect a drat pick (or two) utilized here to bolster depth. I'm not sure Lengel projects even to Hooman levels. Bennet is gone (Green Bay) and Allen is signed. I think we still likely see a draft pick added here, but they could sit tight. I think the last 4 names are fighting to be the 3rd TE and for PS spots.
OL: (9)
Current: Solder, Thuney, Andrews, Mason, Cannon, Karras, Waddle, Fleming, Garcia, McDermott, King, Ferentz, Barker, Farris, Douglas.
I think (?) that Fleming is a FA. Pretty much everyone is slated to return. I bet we see a late round flyer taken on someone, or if an OT falls unexpectedly in the early rounds. Vollmer has been cut, but he could re-appear, especially as a late training camp addition. Auf Wiedersehen SeaBass. Goodbye, Jackson. Fleming is back. Andrews signs an extension. Some new draftees (Garcia and McDermott). It will be interesting to see what Dante can do here as there seem to be some openings for second teasers, while i expect the starting five from Super Bowl LI will be back unless there is an injury.
DL: (7)
Current: Branch, Valentine, Brown, Flowers, Grissom, Ealy, Guy, Hamilton, Kligo, Wise, Rivers, Augusta, Butler.
Long, Branch, and Sheard are all FAs. I expect to see two of those three re-signed. (I bet Sheard goes elsewhere). I also expect both high draft picks and FA signings here. Sheard is gone (Indy) and Long is likely gone, but Branch has re-signed to join the two new pickups in Early and Guy. Seems like this group is pretty well set. Maybe we see a UDFA or very late pick brought in for development/depth. Long is indeed gone. Two new draft picks (Rivers and Wise) and some UDFAs (Augusta, Butler). Removed Nink's name due to his retirement.
LB: (6)
Current: Hightower, Harris, Roberts, McClellin, Van Noy, Bates. Freeny, Ellis, Langi,
Donta is the big name FA here. I'd give him about a 50/50 to resign. I also think that Nink, while under contract, might be a cut. In any case, they will need some additional bodies here, and at least one high-level one, be that Donte or someone else. Donta re-signed is the big move here, thought I would not be at all surprised to see Nink cut. Mingo is also gone to join Sheard in Indy. I still think we see another body or two added here, probably in a mid-round draft pick. Hightower and Harris sure seem like a solid 1-2 in the middle, with Roberts and Mcclellan providing solid depth, assuming Harris still has something left in the tank. Can Roberts make the big second-year leap? Langi certainly looks to be in the mix base don some early talk out of camp, plus his high signing bonus (for a UDFA). I wonder if the combo of Nink's retiring and Harris' signing will yield more time with DHT rushing form the edge (like he's ever contributed from that role!).
CB: (6)
Current: Butler, Gilmore, Rowe, C Jones, J Jones, Coleman, Likely, Moore, Thomas.
Butler is a RFA, so he could almost be in the above list. Assuming he's kept. Ryan is an interesting case. With all the money afloat, he could easily see a big deal coming his way from elsewhere. But he's a pretty key player for the Pats, mainly because he is so good against the run, and in tackling in general. I think the Pats need to sign at least one starter-quality player after Butler, and I would rather it be someone who knows the system and vice versa. But I'm not sure if the Pats have any faith in the Brothers Jones (NB: Not really brothers) or Coleman, so I expect some draft capital expended here. That said, I do think J Jones is a lock for his excellence on ST. Gilmore was another unexpected surprise to find under the FA Christmas tree. The Butler saga continues in a push to occupy more bandwidth this off-season than JG. Happy to be able to officially add Butler back to the list of signees. J Jones is getting some good buzz out of OTAs as a cover guy, as is Rowe in a slot role. C Jones continues to be butter-fingers meaning we likely need to find a PR.
S: (6)
Current: DMC, Chung, King, Richards, Ebner, Harmon. D Jones, Thompson, Killings, Travis.
I'd give Harmon about a 30% chance of re-signing. As with Ryan, his role is critical, and I would prefer it filled by someone who knows the system. But I think he will get starter money elsewhere and the Pats probably figure they can groom someone into that position, be that a FA or a draft pick. Count me surprised to see Harmon re-signed, not because of a lack of value, but because I felt sure someone would pay him more than the Pats. I think this group is likely set for 2018. Some UDFA's added here, but no one seems to be making any waves.
Specialists: (3)
Current: Ghost, Allen, Cardona.
I do expect to see a K brought into camp to compete with Ghost. His dead money cap hit if cut before June 1 is too high otherwise. No changes here. Not surprising.
EDITED on 6/21/17, post Harris signing. Changes/updates in RED
We have threads on Free Agency and on the Draft, but both of those are really dependent on how one feels about the state of the depth chart, so here goes.
Number in parentheses is how we spent the majority of 2016.
Current refers to players who are under Patriot control for 2017.
Names in italics are PS/Futures.
Names underlined are guys who ended on IR.
QB: (3)
Current: Brady, Garoppolo, Brissett
All three are under contract, but has been discussed thoroughly, Garoppolo might be traded. I am guessing that if JG is traded, the Pats sign a veteran FA, rather than drafting another developmental guy. No changes here since end of season although there has been a LOT of speculation about JG -- Should he stay or should he go now???
RB: (5)
Current: Gillislee, White, Lewis, Develin, Burkhead, Bolden, Foster, Baby Gronk
LGBT, Bolden, and Develin are FAs. I think all three will be re-signed, with Bolden the least likely and Develin the most likely. Develin re-signed, Burkhead added from Cinci. The latter seems to put one if not both, of LGBT and Bolden in jeopardy. Gillislee added. White extended. Gaffney cut. Bolden re-signed. LGBT gone. Even recognizing that Bolden is mostly a ST guy, I'm not sure we see 6 RBs on the final 53 when the KC game happens. Reports are that Lewis is looking like he has his early 2015 burst back. Not sure what gives here.
WR: (6)
Current: Edelman, Hogan, Amendola, Mitchell, Slater, Cooks, Lucien. Hollister, Carr, White.
Floyd is a FA; Amendola has a high cap hit. I think one of those two makes it to 2017 (DA only in a restructure). I think a veteran FA is signed and a mid-round pick is used to create some competition.
Adding Cooks was unexpected by most, I think. His addition likely spells the end for Floyd and/or Amendola. The first 6 names seem to be locks, barring injury so presumably everyone else (besides Hawkins) is just looking at PS spots. Removed Hawkins name due to his retirement.
TE: (3)
Current: Gronk, Allen, Lengel. Hollister, Cotton, O'Shaughnessy.
Bennett is a FA. Maybe he gets resigned, maybe he signs big money elsewhere. Either way, I would expect a drat pick (or two) utilized here to bolster depth. I'm not sure Lengel projects even to Hooman levels. Bennet is gone (Green Bay) and Allen is signed. I think we still likely see a draft pick added here, but they could sit tight. I think the last 4 names are fighting to be the 3rd TE and for PS spots.
OL: (9)
Current: Solder, Thuney, Andrews, Mason, Cannon, Karras, Waddle, Fleming, Garcia, McDermott, King, Ferentz, Barker, Farris, Douglas.
I think (?) that Fleming is a FA. Pretty much everyone is slated to return. I bet we see a late round flyer taken on someone, or if an OT falls unexpectedly in the early rounds. Vollmer has been cut, but he could re-appear, especially as a late training camp addition. Auf Wiedersehen SeaBass. Goodbye, Jackson. Fleming is back. Andrews signs an extension. Some new draftees (Garcia and McDermott). It will be interesting to see what Dante can do here as there seem to be some openings for second teasers, while i expect the starting five from Super Bowl LI will be back unless there is an injury.
DL: (7)
Current: Branch, Valentine, Brown, Flowers, Grissom, Ealy, Guy, Hamilton, Kligo, Wise, Rivers, Augusta, Butler.
Long, Branch, and Sheard are all FAs. I expect to see two of those three re-signed. (I bet Sheard goes elsewhere). I also expect both high draft picks and FA signings here. Sheard is gone (Indy) and Long is likely gone, but Branch has re-signed to join the two new pickups in Early and Guy. Seems like this group is pretty well set. Maybe we see a UDFA or very late pick brought in for development/depth. Long is indeed gone. Two new draft picks (Rivers and Wise) and some UDFAs (Augusta, Butler). Removed Nink's name due to his retirement.
LB: (6)
Current: Hightower, Harris, Roberts, McClellin, Van Noy, Bates. Freeny, Ellis, Langi,
Donta is the big name FA here. I'd give him about a 50/50 to resign. I also think that Nink, while under contract, might be a cut. In any case, they will need some additional bodies here, and at least one high-level one, be that Donte or someone else. Donta re-signed is the big move here, thought I would not be at all surprised to see Nink cut. Mingo is also gone to join Sheard in Indy. I still think we see another body or two added here, probably in a mid-round draft pick. Hightower and Harris sure seem like a solid 1-2 in the middle, with Roberts and Mcclellan providing solid depth, assuming Harris still has something left in the tank. Can Roberts make the big second-year leap? Langi certainly looks to be in the mix base don some early talk out of camp, plus his high signing bonus (for a UDFA). I wonder if the combo of Nink's retiring and Harris' signing will yield more time with DHT rushing form the edge (like he's ever contributed from that role!).
CB: (6)
Current: Butler, Gilmore, Rowe, C Jones, J Jones, Coleman, Likely, Moore, Thomas.
Butler is a RFA, so he could almost be in the above list. Assuming he's kept. Ryan is an interesting case. With all the money afloat, he could easily see a big deal coming his way from elsewhere. But he's a pretty key player for the Pats, mainly because he is so good against the run, and in tackling in general. I think the Pats need to sign at least one starter-quality player after Butler, and I would rather it be someone who knows the system and vice versa. But I'm not sure if the Pats have any faith in the Brothers Jones (NB: Not really brothers) or Coleman, so I expect some draft capital expended here. That said, I do think J Jones is a lock for his excellence on ST. Gilmore was another unexpected surprise to find under the FA Christmas tree. The Butler saga continues in a push to occupy more bandwidth this off-season than JG. Happy to be able to officially add Butler back to the list of signees. J Jones is getting some good buzz out of OTAs as a cover guy, as is Rowe in a slot role. C Jones continues to be butter-fingers meaning we likely need to find a PR.
S: (6)
Current: DMC, Chung, King, Richards, Ebner, Harmon. D Jones, Thompson, Killings, Travis.
I'd give Harmon about a 30% chance of re-signing. As with Ryan, his role is critical, and I would prefer it filled by someone who knows the system. But I think he will get starter money elsewhere and the Pats probably figure they can groom someone into that position, be that a FA or a draft pick. Count me surprised to see Harmon re-signed, not because of a lack of value, but because I felt sure someone would pay him more than the Pats. I think this group is likely set for 2018. Some UDFA's added here, but no one seems to be making any waves.
Specialists: (3)
Current: Ghost, Allen, Cardona.
I do expect to see a K brought into camp to compete with Ghost. His dead money cap hit if cut before June 1 is too high otherwise. No changes here. Not surprising.
Last edited:
