Misc. Pats Offseason News

[ponch73]

For a simple basis of comparison, I took a quick look at the 2018-2023 drafts of the Baltimore Ravens, who I think are generally regarded as one of the smarter drafting NFL teams.

Small samples sizes apply, but the Ravens were roughly half as likely to make a non-consensus pick (defined as drafting a player 32 or more slots earlier than consensus) than the Patriots across the first 5 rounds. They were also much less likely to make a non-consensus pick in the 3rd round, 4th round or 5th round than the Patriots.

2018-2023 NFL Drafts

RAVENS Reaches / Total Picks: 11 / 45 = 24%
RAVENS Reaches / 1st Round Picks: 0 / 9 = 0%
RAVENS Reaches / 2nd Round Picks: 0 / 2 = 0%
RAVENS Reaches / 3rd Round Picks: 2 / 12 = 17%
RAVENS Reaches / 4th Round Picks: 6 / 15 = 40%
RAVENS Reaches / 5th Round Picks: 3 / 7 = 43%

PATRIOTS Reaches / Total Picks: 17 / 37 = 46%
PATRIOTS Reaches / 1st Round Picks: 1 / 6 = 17%
PATRIOTS Reaches / 2nd Round Picks: 1 / 7 = 14%
PATRIOTS Reaches / 3rd Round Picks: 4 / 9 = 44%
PATRIOTS Reaches / 4th Round Picks: 6 / 9 = 67%
PATRIOTS Reaches / 5th Round Picks: 5 / 6 = 83%

I wholeheartedly agree with the notion that BB's high profile 1st and 2nd round offensive draft busts (e.g., Harry, Mac, Strange?, Thornton?) played a large role in getting him fired, as did his free agency and trade moves to bolster the offense over this time period (e.g., A. Brown, Sanu, J. Smith, Parker, Smith-Schuster).

But I also think multiple things can be true at the same time, and, in this case, the failure to benefit from or consider the "wisdom of crowds" in drafting in the 3rd or 4th rounds was an unforced error on his part. This is a shame because I think BB demonstrated that he hadn't lost much zip on his fastball when it came to game planning or in-game coaching, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[DJnVa]

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Cole Strange has been dealing with a torn patella tendon in his right knee.

Not great news for his long-term prognosis. Might be worse than an ACL.

 

[BaseballJones]

Cole Strange has been dealing with a torn patella tendon in his right knee.

Not great news for his long-term prognosis. Might be worse than an ACL.

Well often a patella is used as a replacement for a torn ACL. Not sure what they use to replace a torn patella tendon though.

 

[jsinger121]

Hence why they took a guard in the 4th round.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Hence why they took a guard in the 4th round.

Which is why you don't take guards not name Logan Mankins in the first round.

But he played with a crossbar face mask and no gloves! Plus he almost went to the Airforce!

 

[Cellar-Door]

Which is why you don't take guards not name Logan Mankins in the first round.

But he played with a crossbar face mask and no gloves! Plus he almost went to the Airforce!

I mean.... if they took a WR and he blew out his knee what is the difference? Injuries happen at every position. The idea that taking a guy who gets hurt is bad because he got hurt is silly.

 

[rsmith7]

Well often a patella is used as a replacement for a torn ACL. Not sure what they use to replace a torn patella tendon though.

I have a number of family members with torn patellas. Most often a cadaver, sometimes the patient's own from another location.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Well often a patella is used as a replacement for a torn ACL. Not sure what they use to replace a torn patella tendon though.

They just reattach surgically. You don't hear about them as much as ACL tears these days, but I've known a few folks who did it in different sports. One dude I used to play hoop with had the bottom of his patella contact the top of another guy's, coming down for a rebound, and it rolled up his thigh like a shade. The ACL being inside the knee has driven advancements in limiting open surgery and complicated reconstructions, whereas the patella tendon/ligament is easy to get at.

 

[cornwalls@6]

They just reattach surgically. You don't hear about them as much as ACL tears these days, but I've known a few folks who did it in different sports. One dude I used to play hoop with had the bottom of his patella contact the top of another guy's, coming down for a rebound, and it rolled up his thigh like a shade. The ACL being inside the knee has driven advancements in limiting open surgery and complicated reconstructions, whereas the patella tendon/ligament is easy to get at.

I had a complete rupture of the quad tendon( basically the upper patella). They just stretched what was left of it, drilled a small metal post into my kneecap, and re-attached it to that. I have about 85-90% of the range of motion I had before the injury. That was in 2014 and still holding up very well.

 

[NextBigThing8184]

Which is why you don't take guards not name Logan Mankins in the first round.

But he played with a crossbar face mask and no gloves! Plus he almost went to the Airforce!

Many of the best guards are former first round picks. Martin and Nelson are (borderline?) hall of fame caliber players. Lindstrom is elite. Bitonio was a 2nd round pick but 35th overall so in the same general range as Strange. Tyler Smith was also a 1st although drafted as a T/G more than a pure guard.

Yeah you can find guys like Thuney (although another conversion) and Yanda in the 3rd but guard is like any other position. The elite guys tend to come from the upper part of the draft.

 

[BigJimEd]

Bryce Baringer a two sport athlete

While he'll never be confused with Bo Jackson, Bryce Baringer is a pretty good two-sport athlete in his own right. The New England Patriots punter proved that this week when he won the 2024 Massachusetts Amateur Qualifier.

The win qualifies the 25-year-old Baringer for the 2024 Massachusetts Amateur Championship, which will take place in July, prior to the start of Patriots training camp.

 

[boca]

View: https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/1808165253097627893


Filed to ESPN (with
@AdamSchefter
: Patriots and LB Jahlani Tavai are in agreement on a 3-year extension. Maximum value of $21 million, with base value of $15 million, per sources.

 

[dynomite]

Filed to ESPN (with
@AdamSchefter
: Patriots and LB Jahlani Tavai are in agreement on a 3-year extension. Maximum value of $21 million, with base value of $15 million, per sources.

Can't believe we got em.

More substantively, it felt like Tavai's excellent season flew under the radar last year, maybe because he didn't have a ton of ESPN highlights (fumbles forced, INTs, etc.), isn't a big talker (AKA Judon, who I love), and because the team generally was so bad, but he was the 4th ranked LB by PFF for what that's worth last year. Also, of course, LB is the top of the list of all positions on the roster where I trust Mayo's judgment as a former player and defensive coach, so if he wants to invest in Tavai I'm on board.

 

[BaseballJones]

I hear what you're saying, @dynomite but to me it seems like the Pats are paying semi-serious dollars for a bunch of guys who are fine but nothing great.

 

[Saints Rest]

I hear what you're saying, @dynomite but to me it seems like the Pats are paying semi-serious dollars for a bunch of guys who are fine but nothing great.

When BB arrived in NE, his first task was to sign "semi-serious dollars for a bunch of guys who are fine but nothing great," guys like Pleasant, Otis Smith, Hamilton, Izzy, Patten, Cox, et al. He did it because he believed that he needed some of his guys who could communicate from the staff to the rank and file. I would imagine Mayo is doing the same thing here a bit, the big difference being that these signees were Pats last year. Hence, we might read more into the players that he didn't re-sign: Mills, Gesicki, Wilson, Jones, Parker, Philips, etc.

 

[dynomite]

I hear what you're saying, @dynomite but to me it seems like the Pats are paying semi-serious dollars for a bunch of guys who are fine but nothing great.

Yes, I felt/feel this way with Rham. Still, I hope Tavai is a little different -- a player that (by some eyes) is legitimately top of his position.

Plus the defense generally is the only good unit on this roster, and I feel consistency on that side of the ball for the next few seasons will hopefully be valuable as guys like Gonzalez develop.

 

[SMU_Sox]

My response to that is that all of the starting caliber guys they have re-signed are average to quality starters or better. They sucked because their OL, pass catchers, and QB situation. I can nitpick the Rham and Dugger signings and lament that they didn't sign a better bridge LT but overall they didn't sign any bad deals. Most of the deals are very good! I wouldn't conflate lack of talent at other positions with they didn't sign good players for good value.

I don't think the defense helps as much as you'd think. Defenses are inconsistent from year to year and they lost the Belichicks. Plus if your offense sucks it doesn't really matter how good your D is. Still, it's as simple as it is good to have quality starters on defense...

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

I don't think the defense helps as much as you'd think. Defenses are inconsistent from year to year and they lost the Belichicks. Plus if your offense sucks it doesn't really matter how good your D is. Still, it's as simple as it is good to have quality starters on defense...

Only 2/3 of them! And the one that remained has been overseeing one of the strengths of this team. (I am looking for straws, let me grasp.)

 

[E5 Yaz]

On the value of Tavai

Reiss: Tavai played 74% of the Patriots' defensive snaps last season and 78% of the special teams snaps. He is the only NFL player in the past decade to play at least 70% of his team's special teams snaps and at least 70% of his team's snaps on offense or defense in a season.

 

[Jimbodandy]

On the value of Tavai

Reiss: Tavai played 74% of the Patriots' defensive snaps last season and 78% of the special teams snaps. He is the only NFL player in the past decade to play at least 70% of his team's special teams snaps and at least 70% of his team's snaps on offense or defense in a season.

Yeah I think that Tavai is being undersold here.

When Belichick took over this org, he turned over a ton of guys from the 5-11 team...but he kept the ones that were good players. Seems like folks have forgotten that. Just because a team won four games doesn't mean that a house cleaning is in order. Tavai was a stud last year.

 

[NextBigThing8184]

Yeah I think that Tavai is being undersold here.

When Belichick took over this org, he turned over a ton of guys from the 5-11 team...but he kept the ones that were good players. Seems like folks have forgotten that. Just because a team won four games doesn't mean that a house cleaning is in order. Tavai was a stud last year.

Well you can’t turn over a full roster in a year. But the 2001 team that won the Super Bowl had turned over the vast majority of the starters.

Troy Brown, Damien Woody, Ty Law, Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, Ted Johnson, Tebucky Jones and Lawyer Milloy were the only starters (plus Vinatieri and obviously Bledsoe and Glenn who started the year as starters). Faulk was around, as were Rutledge and Mitchell (neither of whom were retained once their rookie contracts ended, same as Woody)

Belichick only kept (via extension) the guys who were Patriots hall of fame (or actual HOF in Law’s case) caliber players.

Of course, the 1999 team was much better than the 2023 team. And BB struck gold in his first 2 off seasons with Brady, Seymour, Light coming through the draft and signing key veterans Phifer, O.Smith, Hamilton, Vrabel, Pleasant, Andruzzi and making a huge splash for Colvin.

Belichick made a significant attempt in the 2000 offseason to upgrade the roster and fill holes and find “his guys”. Wolf has done the opposite, essentially running it back with the same guys plus a new QB and some scrap heap players like Takitaki, Okorafor and Gibson.

Not saying one approach is better but it’s clearly different. The Carroll/Grier draft pick young veterans who Belichick inherited didn’t last long (and there is an uncanny similarity between Tony Simmons and Tyquan Thornton). The young roster players Wolf has inherited are clearly being given big roles moving forward (last years OL picks especially but the depth players at CB, S, Douglas etc)

There’s no reason to gut a roster just to remake it, but (again, other than QB), Wolf didn’t do much of anything to actually upgrade the team. He’s taking the approach that coaching, development and better QB play will elevate the talent. BB clearly didn’t like the talent he inherited from day 1 outside of the big name players.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Well you can’t turn over a full roster in a year. But the 2001 team that won the Super Bowl had turned over the vast majority of the starters.

Troy Brown, Damien Woody, Ty Law, Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, Ted Johnson, Tebucky Jones and Lawyer Milloy were the only starters (plus Vinatieri and obviously Bledsoe and Glenn who started the year as starters). Faulk was around, as were Rutledge and Mitchell (neither of whom were retained once their rookie contracts ended, same as Woody)

Belichick only kept (via extension) the guys who were Patriots hall of fame (or actual HOF in Law’s case) caliber players.

Of course, the 1999 team was much better than the 2023 team. And BB struck gold in his first 2 off seasons with Brady, Seymour, Light coming through the draft and signing key veterans Phifer, O.Smith, Hamilton, Vrabel, Pleasant, Andruzzi and making a huge splash for Colvin.

Belichick made a significant attempt in the 2000 offseason to upgrade the roster and fill holes and find “his guys”. Wolf has done the opposite, essentially running it back with the same guys plus a new QB and some scrap heap players like Takitaki, Okorafor and Gibson.

Not saying one approach is better but it’s clearly different. The Carroll/Grier draft pick young veterans who Belichick inherited didn’t last long (and there is an uncanny similarity between Tony Simmons and Tyquan Thornton). The young roster players Wolf has inherited are clearly being given big roles moving forward (last years OL picks especially but the depth players at CB, S, Douglas etc)

There’s no reason to gut a roster just to remake it, but (again, other than QB), Wolf didn’t do much of anything to actually upgrade the team. He’s taking the approach that coaching, development and better QB play will elevate the talent. BB clearly didn’t like the talent he inherited from day 1 outside of the big name players.

Great post.

Yes, key differences. I'm just pushing back on the impression that I got--perhaps unfairly--that folks think that resigning anyone from the 4-13 team is bad business. Some of those guys are good players. We should keep them around. Lots aren't. Maybe Wolf et al. aren't moving fast enough for some people, but they seem to be paying around market rate for guys that most of us think can play. If the alternative is attrition, not sure why we'd prefer that.

 

[Saints Rest]

Well you can’t turn over a full roster in a year. But the 2001 team that won the Super Bowl had turned over the vast majority of the starters.

Troy Brown, Damien Woody, Ty Law, Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, Ted Johnson, Tebucky Jones and Lawyer Milloy were the only starters (plus Vinatieri and obviously Bledsoe and Glenn who started the year as starters). Faulk was around, as were Rutledge and Mitchell (neither of whom were retained once their rookie contracts ended, same as Woody)

Belichick only kept (via extension) the guys who were Patriots hall of fame (or actual HOF in Law’s case) caliber players.

Of course, the 1999 team was much better than the 2023 team. And BB struck gold in his first 2 off seasons with Brady, Seymour, Light coming through the draft and signing key veterans Phifer, O.Smith, Hamilton, Vrabel, Pleasant, Andruzzi and making a huge splash for Colvin.

Belichick made a significant attempt in the 2000 offseason to upgrade the roster and fill holes and find “his guys”. Wolf has done the opposite, essentially running it back with the same guys plus a new QB and some scrap heap players like Takitaki, Okorafor and Gibson.

Not saying one approach is better but it’s clearly different. The Carroll/Grier draft pick young veterans who Belichick inherited didn’t last long (and there is an uncanny similarity between Tony Simmons and Tyquan Thornton). The young roster players Wolf has inherited are clearly being given big roles moving forward (last years OL picks especially but the depth players at CB, S, Douglas etc)

There’s no reason to gut a roster just to remake it, but (again, other than QB), Wolf didn’t do much of anything to actually upgrade the team. He’s taking the approach that coaching, development and better QB play will elevate the talent. BB clearly didn’t like the talent he inherited from day 1 outside of the big name players.

My point was that many of the free agents BB brought in over his first two years were “his guys” who had played for other organizations. Mayo’s version of “his guys” played for the Pats.
But both have the same goal: to establish the coach’s culture thru the use of the middle of the roster.

 

[RorschachsMask]

View: https://twitter.com/henrycmckenna/status/1810776700768375148

 

[joe dokes]

View: https://twitter.com/henrycmckenna/status/1810776700768375148

[Pedant rant]
If editors existed, the word "just" would never appear before "$x.x million."
I dont care if its on Twitface. [/rant]

As you were.

 

[RorschachsMask]

[Pedant rant]
If editors existed, the word "just" would never appear before "$x.x million."
I dont care if its on Twitface. [/rant]

As you were.

But I mean, it’s just 6.5 million dollars.

 

[NickEsasky]

Yeah, his salary is only $6.5 million this season but what about the bonuses he already received? I don't fault any of these guys for wanting to maximize earning potential in a brutal sport with short careers, but the guy isn't underpaid based on total compensation he's received.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Judon turns 32 next month. Somebody else can give him that big extension.

 

[leftfieldlegacy]

Judon turns 32 next month. Somebody else can give him that big extension.

Agree. He needs to go to a GFIN team. The Pats are probably 2 seasons away from that when he will be 34. I don't know what the Pats could get back in trade for him but a good young OL would be nice.

 

[BaseballJones]

ESPN ranks each NFL team by skill position groups (excluding QB). Has NE at #31 (no surprise).

"It's no secret that the Patriots lack playmakers. Their failure to land difference-makers on offense likely stunted Mac Jones' development and cost Bill Belichick his job. This might be a different franchise if Belichick had drafted Nick Chubb ahead of Sony Michel in 2018, Deebo Samuel instead of N'Keal Harry in 2019, or George Pickens instead of Tyquan Thornton in 2022. In each case, the star was the next player taken at each respective position after New England made its choice.

In trying to make up for those mistakes, the Patriots have generally bought in bulk and hoped that somebody would break through. They haven't. Pleasant surprises such as DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne have been in and out of the lineup, the latter making his way out of Belichick's doghouse in 2023 before tearing his right ACL. JuJu Smith-Schuster had his snaps limited by injuries and racked up just 260 yards last season. Rhamondre Stevensonand Hunter Henry, the two most productive veterans in the dying days of the Belichick era, were both out for stretches in 2023 and saw their production fall off as a result.


There are new players here, most notably second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker, but both players ran 40-yard dashes in 4.5-plus seconds at the combine. Antonio Gibson and K.J. Osborn were supplemental players with their former teams. The Patriots desperately need someone who is going to keep defensive coordinators up at night. Until someone emerges for the Patriots, those coaches might as well replace Dak Prescott in mattress ads."


Ouch.

 

[j-man]

i been reading the preseason NFL mags Atlton has u 31th behind car Lindy has u 30th ahead of car tenn roster as of may 14th if they are right if i was u then u need LT and WR in draft

 

[Rico Guapo]

View: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1813208259819360555

 

[Granite Sox]

Troy Brown no longer listed on the coaching staff…

View: https://twitter.com/patriots/status/1813243465729233173?s=61&t=fJYtkpGv4bOl3p7SGjEodw

 

[E5 Yaz]

Troy Brown no longer listed on the coaching staff…

Sequed to a new position
https://www.patspulpit.com/2024/3/26/24112276/patriots-troy-brown-new-role-revealed-jerod-mayo

 

[Granite Sox]

No disrespect, but that article is a couple of months old and indicates that he’d be coaching players. He is not listed as being part of player personnel or coaching, so it appears this role didn’t work out.

 

[E5 Yaz]

No disrespect, but that article is a couple of months old and indicates that he’d be coaching players. He is not listed as being part of player personnel or coaching, so it appears this role didn’t work out.

It says he won't be a part of the official coaching staff, which he isn't. Maybe it didn't work out; but until we read something that says they've parted ways, we shouldn't draw any conclusions

 

[RedOctober3829]

View: https://twitter.com/josinaanderson/status/1813269265350295957?s=46&t=IVL2VrlFgLlpc3mjGGto8Q

 

[katnado]

No disrespect, but that article is a couple of months old and indicates that he’d be coaching players. He is not listed as being part of player personnel or coaching, so it appears this role didn’t work out.

https://nesn.com/2024/07/patriots-leave-notable-names-off-coaching-staff-announcement/

According to this he's still around

 

[BigJimEd]

FWIW, Brown and Joe Kim are still listed on the coaches page under skill development. Interestingly, they are the only two wearing white shirts.

 

[BigSoxFan]

View: https://twitter.com/josinaanderson/status/1813269265350295957?s=46&t=IVL2VrlFgLlpc3mjGGto8Q

We’ll see if that changes. Adding Aiyuk to this offense would be huge.

 

[NextBigThing8184]

Aiyuk is a great player but the Pats probably won’t be a good match for value for the 49ers

I would think SF could get a 1st from a playoff hopeful and there’s no way the Pats should be trading what is likely to be a top 5 pick for Aiyuk. Even a top 10 is too rich for him.

Don’t think just a 2025 2nd rounder gets it done if multiple teams are in the bidding.

 

[Dogman]

I have to think the cost of a contract will be a factor for teams. A first and $20M/year is a ton. I have to think almost all teams balk at a 1st at that AAV.

 

[Average Game James]

I have to think the cost of a contract will be a factor for teams. A first and $20M/year is a ton. I have to think almost all teams balk at a 1st at that AAV.

It’s probably closer to $30mn in a world where Calvin Ridley gets north of $20mn. Even if you think he’s a notch below Hill and Adams, AJ Brown still went for 18 plus a future 3rd while extending him at 4 years/$100mn and Brown didn’t have nearly the numbers Aiyuk has. If
I thought the Pats would have a mid round pick, I’d trade a first for him in a heartbeat. When it’s likely to be top 10, it’s a lot harder but they could probably get creative with something like their 2025 first for Aiyuk and SF’s second rounder. If you assume the Pats pick 10 and the 49ers pick 30, that nets out to about the 15th overall pick. Huge risk if the pick ends up being higher, but I think Aiyuk is easily a top 10 WR and would gladly pay that price.

 

[Justthetippett]

Judon turns 32 next month. Somebody else can give him that big extension.

He's been really good here, on the field and as a teammate/leader, but it absolutely makes sense to trade him if there's a reasonable market. This team is miles away and needs as many lottery tickets/assets as possible. I just hope it's to the NFC.

 

[BigSoxFan]

He's been really good here, on the field and as a teammate/leader, but it absolutely makes sense to trade him if there's a reasonable market. This team is miles away and needs as many lottery tickets/assets as possible. I just hope it's to the NFC.

Totally agree. I love Judon. He deserved better in his time here but got screwed by the Mac era. Even beyond the Patriots’ needs, I’d like to see him traded for his own sake…to the NFC, like you said.

 

[johnmd20]

It’s probably closer to $30mn in a world where Calvin Ridley gets north of $20mn. Even if you think he’s a notch below Hill and Adams, AJ Brown still went for 18 plus a future 3rd while extending him at 4 years/$100mn and Brown didn’t have nearly the numbers Aiyuk has.

Not sure you're right about Brown. And the flipside is that AJ Brown was in the dessert in Tennessee and since has put up two straight seasons that are way better than anything Aiyuk has done. To me, Aiyuk is Julu in Pittsburgh when Antonio Brown was putting up historic seasonss. He put up numbers last year because SF has 4 major weapons on offense and the defense can't cover them all. SF also had one of the best offensive seasons last year by EPA in NFL history. That's Shanahan and McCaffrey, plus the offensive line, not Brandon.

AJ Brown, on the other hand, as a number 1 is a monster that can do it all. And has done it all in 2 seasons as the number one in Philly.

Paying up for Aiyuk would be a mistake. He wants too much money. And he's had one excellent season in a career where he hasn't averaged 1000 yards a season. AJ Browns has played 5 seasons and has 6000 yards. It's not close.

 

[DJnVa]

It’s probably closer to $30mn in a world where Calvin Ridley gets north of $20mn. Even if you think he’s a notch below Hill and Adams, AJ Brown still went for 18 plus a future 3rd while extending him at 4 years/$100mn and Brown didn’t have nearly the numbers Aiyuk has.

What? Brown absolutely had the numbers Aiyuk does.

Brown before Philly averaged 62 catches, 998 yards, and 8 TDs a season. Aiyuk averaged 67 for 982 and 6 TDs.

 

[Average Game James]

Not sure you're right about Brown. And the flipside is that AJ Brown was in the dessert in Tennessee and since has put up two straight seasons that are way better than anything Aiyuk has done. To me, Aiyuk is Julu in Pittsburgh when Antonio Brown was putting up historic seasonss. He put up numbers last year because SF has 4 major weapons on offense and the defense can't cover them all. SF also had one of the best offensive seasons last year by EPA in NFL history. That's Shanahan and McCaffrey, plus the offensive line, not Brandon.

AJ Brown, on the other hand, as a number 1 is a monster that can do it all. And has done it all in 2 seasons as the number one in Philly.

Paying up for Aiyuk would be a mistake. He wants too much money. And he's had one excellent season in a career where he hasn't averaged 1000 yards a season. AJ Browns has played 5 seasons and has 6000 yards. It's not close.

We need to compare what AJ Brown was at the time of the trade, not what he is today. And on that basis, it’s pretty close (closer than I gave it credit for, I will admit). Brown’s average numbers are slightly better, but he didn’t have a season close to Aiyuk’s 2023 in terms of counting stats or efficiency. Advanced metrics generally love Aiyuk - he’s #2 in YPRR and #2 in EPA among WR (and #1 in EPA/Target by a large margin), several separation metrics grade him highly. Amusingly, #2 in PFF grades last season… and AJ Brown the year before he got traded was… #2. A few have pointed out that he benefits from the other weapons around him and the offense he plays in and well, fair enough. But also consider that means he sees the ball way less than other top receivers - the six guys above him in receiving yards last year saw an average of 162 targets while he only got 105. Even with a hit to efficiency, he can still put up monster numbers with the type of volume most top options get. He’s a legit number 1 receiver and the Pats should absolutely go get him if he’s available for the type of package Brown was traded for, but doubt it happens since S.F. has all the leverage right now with the franchise tag after the 5th year option, and the more likely outcome is they sign him long term and move on from Deebo or Kittle after this year.

 

[Bigdogx]

Adding Aiyuk would probably give us maybe 3 extra wins with how shotty the o-line is, what that will do is knock the team into the middle of the draft along with most likely losing either a 1st round pick to trade for him or a 2nd and maybe a player or late round pick. I much rather take the lumps this season, be one of the worst teams in the league again, and be looking at another top 5 draft slot next year to improve many areas of need.

If we did what the Steelers did this last offseason i would say go for it, imo they will be one of, if not the most improved team in the league for what they did in the draft and free agency. They realized their offense line was a huge weak breaking point and addressed it, we had the same weak breaking point and we added no one of note yet, some maybe late round draft choices which we all know is not going to be enough. Not to mention but would Aiyuke even want to come here, i find it hard to believe he would want to considering were this team is currently at.