Mike Loyko at NEPatriotsdraft.com tries his hand at a mock offseason and draft:
http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2012/03/patriots-mock-offseason.html#more-15309
Some similarities with mine, some differences:
1. I agree with pretty much all of his "departures" list, which includes BJGE, Kevin Faulk, Shaun Ellis and Dan Koppen, among others.
2. He has Mark Anderson re-signing for 2 years at $6.5M and Matt Slater at 4 years for $4.4.M. I think the annual $$$ is about right for each (about $3M/year for Anderson and $1M/year for Slater), but I'd sign Anderson for a 3-4 year deal, not 2.
3. He has the Pats tendering Brian Hoyer at a 2nd round level, $1.9M and keeping him. I still think keeping both Hoyer and Mallett is a luxury. We'll see how this pans out.
4. Loyko has Dan Connolly re-signing for 3 years at $3.5M. I'd be thrilled with that, but I think it's ridiculous. Connolly started for us at LG in 2010 for 8 games, and all of last year at center, and played reasonably well at both positions. He'll command more. I'd say 3 years at $7.5M.
5. Andre Carter. I agree with Loyko on this one. I think that Anderson is the priority because of his age. With Ninkovich and Anderson in the fold, the Pats can make a run at Mario Williams, with Carter a backup option. Teams won't be throwing money at a 33 year old coming off IR despite his 10 sacks in 2011, and Carter won't rush to sign elsewhere. If Williams falls through, Carter is a backup option for 2012.
6. I'm not in agreement about James Ihedigbo, Tracy White and Deion Branch. White and Ihedigbo are in my "wait and see what options are available" list. I don't want Branch back - we need an infusion of youth and athleticism at WR.
7. Loyko has the Pats cutting Chad Ochocinco, Josh Barrett and Sergio Brown. All could happen, or none. I'd love to move on from Ochocinco (see Deion Branch above), but it will depend on who the Pats sign and whether Ochocinco restructures or not. Barrett and Brown are certainly expendable, but only if something better is available at reasonable money.\
8. I'd be thrilled with Adam Carriker for 3 years @ $8M. Very reasonable for a solid starting caliber 3-4 DE.
9. Reggie Smith for 2 years @ $2.5M is unrealistic. ESPN recently rumored that the market for Smith would be more like 2 years at $5M with $2.5M guaranteed. I don't think he's worth that to the Pats.
10. Loyko has the Pats signing an OT/OG at a vet minimum. Geoff Schwartz is as good a candidate as any. I think that Matt Light retiring is more likely than not, and may be a good thing given how much cap space he would free up.
11. I'd much rather put the money freed up by Matt Light along with Loyko's FA signings of Brandon Carr (unlikely, and he'll command more money), Wes Woodyard, Dave Tollefson and others towards a run at Mario Williams.
12. I'd much rather get Josh Morgan for 5 years @ $24M than Brandon Lloyd, given the age and personality issues. For slightly more money, if it can be done, I'd make a run at Pierre Garcon.
13. As stated above, if BJGE leaves (as is likely right now) then I'd go after Mike Tolbert, who I'd consider an upgrade to the RB corps.
14. I don't like Loyko's draft at all, but that's JMHO. I don't see Dont'a Hightower as having the mobility to play outside, and we already have Brandon Spikes. Mark Barron is not unreasonable, but I'd prefer a CB/FS hybrid with more coverage ability. Kendall Reyes at 48 would be reasonable value if he lasts that long. I think that Brian Quick at 63 is a huge reach. Josh Robinson at 94 would be a steal right now, but as things currently stand he's more likely to go in the top 40 picks.
But it's a nice effort, and it's interesting to compare different versions.
