Written By: George Haraktsis
The Patriots did what everyone has been used to and won yet another Super Bowl. This championship definitely was not the easiest of Bill Belichick’s and Tom Brady’s six rings. The Patriots faced a back and forth season, including a defense that had its ups and downs and an offense that saw its lineup constantly change due to injuries and suspensions. The Patriots were able to overcome all of this, but can they do that again this year? New England faces a tough road ahead of them this offseason. They have their own players to sign, potential retirements ahead, and need to replenish a roster that might be showing its age. Can they manage to address all of their needs on their way to another Super Bowl?
Available Salary Cap Space- $23,264,221
Free Agents
UFA
Stephen Gostkowski, K
Chris Hogan, WR
Jason McCourty, CB
Danny Shelton, DT
Phillip Dorsett, WR
Ryan Allen, P
Malcom Brown, DT
LaAdrian Waddle, T
Eric Rowe, CB
John Simon, DE
Ramon Humber, OLB
Brian Schwenke, C
Albert McClellan, ILB
Ulrick John, T
Trey Flowers, DE
Trent Brown, T
David Parry, DT
Tony Adams, T
Riley McCarron, WR
RFA
Josh Gordon, WR
Jonathan Jones, CB
ERFA
Cody Hollister, WR
Jake Eldrenkamp, G
Potential Cap Casualties (Bold = Dead Money, Italics = Cap Gain)
Adrian Clayborn, DE ($2 mill) ($3.98 mill)
Dont’a Hightower, OLB ($5 mill) ($5.95 mill)
Devin McCourty, FS ($3.93 mil) ($9.5 mill)
*All figures for cap purposes are taken as pre-June 1st, unless otherwise stated. All cap figures courtesy of Overthecap.com, unless otherwise stated*
Team Needs
Pass Rush
Defensive line
Tight End
Linebacker
Wide Receiver
Nearly everything!
Draft pick Allotment
1st Round #32 (32)
2nd Round #24 (56)
2nd Round #32 (64)
3rd Round #10 (74)
3rd Round #34 (98)
3rd Round #38 (102)
4th Round #32 (135)
6th Round #33 (207)
7th Round #25 (241)
7th Round #29 (245)
7th Round #32 (248)
7th Round #38 (254)
*Compensatory Pick Projection courtesy of Nick Korte of Overthecap.com
Mock Offseason
Players Re-signed
Stephen Gostkowski, K
Jason McCourty, CB
Malcom Brown, DT
Josh Gordon, WR
Jonathan Jones, CB
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR
Ramon Humber, LB
Trade
Patriots get: Josh Rosen and 2019 7th Round pick
Arizona Cardinals get: 3rd Rounder (74th overall)
Free Agent Targets
Golden Tate, WR (Lions)
Tate has expressed his desire to sign with a team that’s poised to win. He even said he’d “Would definitely love being a part of something like [the Patriots] and catch a few passes from old Tommy Boy”. With the Patriots sparse at the wide receiver position past Julian Edelman, Tate would be a welcomed addition for the right price.
Tyler Eifert, TE (Bengals)
This feels weird with such a loaded tight end class this year, but this is a very Bill Belichick move. Yes Eifert is injury prone, but he would come at a cheap price and the Patriots have a need at the position after cutting Dwayne Allen and with a Gronk retirement rumor lurking. With his talent, Eifert could add a huge weapon to an already great offense.
Justin Houston- Edge (Kansas City Chiefs)
Houston was just cut by the Chiefs and is a fresh add to the free agent market. New England did just add Michael Bennett, but will likely lose Trey Flowers to free agency. Houston has an excellent relationship with Patriots pass rush coach Joe Kim, which only adds to the possibility he gets signed. Getting after the quarterback is a need for the Patriots, and Houston has been one of the best over the years.
Mock Draft
1st Round Pick #32 (Irv Smith, TE, Alabama)
2nd Round #24 (56) (Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple)
2nd Round #32 (64) (Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi St.)
3rd Round #10 (74) *Traded to Cardinals
3rd Round #34 (98) (David Long, ILB, West Virginia)
3rd Round #38 (102) (Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State)
4th Round #32 (135) (Jalen Jelks, Edge, Oregon)
6th Round #33 (207) (P.J. Johnson, DT, Arizona)
7th Round #25 (241) (Dax Raymond, TE, Utah State)
7th Round #29 (245) (Montre Hartage, CB, Northwestern)
7th Round #32 (248) (Jon Duhart, WR, Old Dominion)
7th Round #38 (254) (Wyatt Ray, DE/OLB, Boston College)
Keep a lookout for more offseason blueprints as we get closer to the start of the new league year!