Rebuilding The Patriots For 2021 And Beyond

Jeff Howe gives his thoughts - the Athletic

My comments:
I'll add Fla. QB Kyle Trask to his list of QBs to draft. 6'5", 240. Drop back pocket presence++ with decent mobility. 2020 stats - 70% completion rate, 4125 yds, 11.6 AY/A, 43 TDs and only 5 ints. BB could trade back to around 20-25 and still get Trask while adding a late 2nd or early 3rd to boot.
WRs - Marvin Jones &/or Corey Davis would be perfect, thank you.
TE - Hunter Henry for sure. He'd help immensely.
Adding a TE & 2 WRs would do wonders for the offense.
LB - Lavonte David has been productive his entire career plus he can cover a back or a TE.
Of our own FAs, I'm not certain JMac will be back, at least not as a CB; maybe at S. I'd like to keep Byrd and James White.




By Jeff Howe Dec 28, 2020
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The best thing about 2020? There’s at least a sliver of hope it’ll turn to 2021.
That’s where the Patriots have set their focus, as the regular season will expire in a week and they can turn their attention toward the next phase of their rebuild.
So let’s do the same and make 10 bold predictions for the upcoming year. Due to the likelihood that many of these predictions won’t be worth the paper they’re printed on, this message will soon self-destruct. No receipts, please.

1. The Patriots will trade up to draft a quarterback and keep* Cam Newton​

Bill Belichick has publicly acknowledged the advantages of building a roster around a quarterback on a rookie contract, and there are four franchise-caliber talents who are projected top-10 picks.
Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence will likely be the No. 1 pick — too rich for the Patriots — and BYU’s Zach Wilson, Ohio State’s Justin Fields and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance will be gone shortly thereafter. It’ll most likely cost the Patriots at least a pair of first-round picks to get into range to select one of them.
That’s a price worth paying if there’s conviction behind their evaluation of the right quarterback, and the pace of their rebuild depends on it.
There’d be some value in keeping Newton on a short-money contract, especially if the Patriots boost the talent at tight end and wide receiver. If the Patriots trade up to draft a quarterback, they’re not going to want to also spend a significant chunk of cap space on a veteran, so keeping Newton would make some sense.
He’s good for the locker room and should be a solid mentor for a rookie. If the draft pick isn’t ready to start early in the season, Newton would be a serviceable placeholder.
(*I changed my mind three times while writing this section, could do so 10 more times depending how Jarrett Stidham is involved in the final two games and might do so hundreds more times prior to free agency.)

2. The Patriots will extend Stephon Gilmore’s contract and place a second-round tender on J.C. Jackson​

Gilmore is still playing at an extremely high level, but he’ll only earn $7.5 million in cash next season because the Patriots have accelerated future earnings to keep him competitively compensated over the past two seasons.
While Gilmore’s name has come up in trade conversations, the Patriots didn’t come close to dealing him because there was never an acceptable offer on the table, according to a source. The presumption is the Patriots wouldn’t move him for less than a first-round pick. Would their price actually come down in the next three months, and how much will the torn quad impact his fate?
Keeping Gilmore would therefore make the most sense. A two-year, $28.5 million extension would be fair value, rolling that into the balance of his current contract for a three-year, $36 million pact.
Jackson is a restricted free agent, and the Patriots would like to accumulate more picks, particularly under the premise that they’re willing to trade into the top 10 for a quarterback. The Patriots’ two options with Jackson would be to give him a first- or second-round tender, but it’s historically rare for an opposing team to sign away a restricted free agent at the cost of a first-round pick.
Therefore, use a second-round tender, and entice a team to sign Jackson to an offer sheet. That’s an affordable price for a corner with a budding reputation around the league, and the Patriots could use the second-round asset while replacing Jackson with Joejuan Williams or Myles Bryant. They could also re-sign Jason McCourty.

3. The Patriots’ two biggest splashes in free agency will be Hunter Henry and Lavonte David​

Henry will be the top tight end on the market, so he’ll require a contract worth an average annual value of at least $10 million. But Henry also probably got the memo this month that Belichick is infatuated with him.
The Patriots desperately need more production at tight end. Rookies Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene could still grow into solid pieces, but how long will it take? The Patriots can’t go a third consecutive year devoid of statistical output from the position, and Henry would be the answer.
David, a linebacker who turns 31 in January, has flown under the radar in Tampa but has been reliable and productive on all three downs throughout his career. If the Patriots can get him for $8-9 million annually, they can stick him in the middle of their defense with Dont’a Hightower and let Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings flourish alongside them.
The front seven would enjoy an immediate upgrade with David on the inside.

4. Josh Uche will become the Patriots’ top pass rusher​

This is an easy one.
Uche has made an impact with his increased role over the past month, and his trajectory should have a sharp ascension with a normal offseason. Chase Winovich has had a very good season as the Patriots’ best pass rusher, but Uche’s raw talent will shine once the Patriots remove his training wheels.

5. The Patriots will focus on the second tier of free-agent wide receivers​

It would be a surprise if the Patriots completely abandoned their philosophy on paying receivers just because they’ve got $60 million in projected cap space, the fourth-most in the NFL.
That’s why $14-18 million annually doesn’t add up for JuJu Smith-Schuster, Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, Kenny Golladay or Will Fuller. Rather, it’d make more sense to try to snare a pair of the next tier that includes Curtis Samuel, Marvin Jones, Sammy Watkins and Corey Davis.
If the Patriots can land two of them, somehow land one of the plethora of talented wideouts in the draft and combine them with Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers, the group would look much better.

6. The Patriots will re-sign Joe Thuney​

The Pats used the $14.8 million franchise tag on Thuney despite being tight against the cap because they hoped to extend him to a long-term contract. The two sides were never close to an extension before the deadline, nor were the Patriots close to trading him due to an absence of acceptable offers. They also weren’t going to just flip him to the highest bidder due to his value to the team, which played out tenfold as he hopped between left guard and center early in the season.
It’d be surprising if they didn’t continue to offer him a competitive contract. There are only 10 teams with at least $30 million in projected cap room, and it’s tough to envision most of them using a major chunk of it on an interior lineman. Maybe Washington or the Bengals makes a huge push, but Thuney would then have to decide between the fattest payday and an environment he knows best and is closer to achieving postseason success.
It’s unconventional for teams to devote so much cap space to guard, as Shaq Mason will carry a $9.775 million cap hit, but the Patriots can pull it off while their tackles are on rookie contracts.

1/2​

 
It appears to me that you are drafting against an algorythym and not humans to include jealousies and mistrust. There are at least 31 other BBs not including meddling owners/hangers on. I do not see anyone trading in real life R1 2022 and 2023 plus 61 and 93 for our 46 and 199. Unless there are unflatering videos involved.
Give me a list of everyone that the NFL scouts deem as a fit/their value as a round/etc. This would NOT be that difficult.
 
Do the PFF mock draft now. It/s fun...

I have done many of pff. I just don't think real life humans make these trades. Example besides the Buffalo trade I cited before. Atlanta is currently over the cap and has 6 plus maybe 2 comp picks in the draft. Do you really think they will trade 2 picks including #4 for future picks.
 
When you do your bidness, don't mix up bidness or pleasure.

I just sent a babe a list of the 2021 draft player rankings.

I SHOULD have sent her this instead:

"stimulating your clit and massaging your g spot together...isn/t that the... HOLY GRAIL????"
 
I have done many of pff. I just don't think real life humans make these trades. Example besides the Buffalo trade I cited before. Atlanta is currently over the cap and has 6 plus maybe 2 comp picks in the draft. Do you really think they will trade 2 picks including #4 for future picks.
I've seen Mike Ditka via the Saints do some STUPID SHIT before...never underestimate the stupidity of the human element!!!!

Also, Vikings/Jimmy Johnson trade via Cowboys.

Weird shit can happen then...Seriously!
 
Because in real life no team is going to go from #4 to #15 in return for a 2023 first rounder?
Re/read what I've ALREADY said before...this ISN/T hard to do. I know that I can do it.

If Bill O/FUCKING BRIEN can do what he did, why the FUCK can/t I try it?

Most people here are giving WAY too much credence...

Also, do the PFF draft. Post it afterwards...that shows more proof.
 
Jamis does make some incredible throws every time he plays. He’s had some decent seasons, and there were times that Bucs team around him was a lot worse than it is now. If he’d come here for a nothing prove it deal I’m on board. I dont see the QB we want falling to us in the draft, and we need to be open to some cheap bridge options.
I loved cams attitude last year, but realistically we need a guy is at least good enough to where we can judge how young pass catchers are progressing. Cam brought the run game to the table, but with him in there it’s hard to judge how guys perform in the red zone for instance.
Dak since he’s come into the league has been surrounded by the some of the best skill talent in the league. Probably top three in talent around him at all offensive levels every year. From the line to running backs, to receivers. Even their tight ends are at a minimum competent. And he’s gonna come to NE in with these guys and maintain his production? I don’t think so, and what he wants money wise is going to totally cripple a team for 3 to 4 years.
I’m really cheering for a stud Dlineman or or LB in the first. Those are positions I trust BBs instincts on, and the Pats have major needs there. Hightower doesn’t have many years left, and this team needs to remember how to stop the run.
I’d be really happy with the first two picks being defense, and bringing in one or two competent veteran QBs for cheap.
The Seahawks built a great team, and then were able to get the most out of a third round QB. They needed that great foundation first though.
Bad teams waste years reaching for bad QBs in the draft and skipping on studs at other positions. Hopefully the Pats stay out of that trap.
 
Jamis does make some incredible throws every time he plays. He’s had some decent seasons, and there were times that Bucs team around him was a lot worse than it is now. If he’d come here for a nothing prove it deal I’m on board. I dont see the QB we want falling to us in the draft, and we need to be open to some cheap bridge options.
I loved cams attitude last year, but realistically we need a guy is at least good enough to where we can judge how young pass catchers are progressing. Cam brought the run game to the table, but with him in there it’s hard to judge how guys perform in the red zone for instance.
Dak since he’s come into the league has been surrounded by the some of the best skill talent in the league. Probably top three in talent around him at all offensive levels every year. From the line to running backs, to receivers. Even their tight ends are at a minimum competent. And he’s gonna come to NE in with these guys and maintain his production? I don’t think so, and what he wants money wise is going to totally cripple a team for 3 to 4 years.
I’m really cheering for a stud Dlineman or or LB in the first. Those are positions I trust BBs instincts on, and the Pats have major needs there. Hightower doesn’t have many years left, and this team needs to remember how to stop the run.
I’d be really happy with the first two picks being defense, and bringing in one or two competent veteran QBs for cheap.
The Seahawks built a great team, and then were able to get the most out of a third round QB. They needed that great foundation first though.
Bad teams waste years reaching for bad QBs in the draft and skipping on studs at other positions. Hopefully the Pats stay out of that trap.
DON/T RUIN MY TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I know what you said and are saying. They are the very definition of a top heavy team. It is the depth they will lose. We saw that this year when they lost key offensive lineman. Their replacements were trash. That is the difference between winning and losing a chip when you run into a wagon like Tampa was this year. Mahomes is not Superman despite the media saying he walks on water. He needs protection and a great D like every other Qb.

That's Andy Reid. He's been that way his entire career and has nothing to do with having cap to spend.
 
TE Kyle Rudolph said he'd like to play for the Pats.

Smokescreen or not?
I think it's real. BB and Josh have demonstrated over the last two decades that they value the tight end position, and when there's TE talent on the roster those players are integrated into the attack, and sometimes featured.
 
Re/read what I've ALREADY said before...this ISN/T hard to do. I know that I can do it.

If Bill O/FUCKING BRIEN can do what he did, why the FUCK can/t I try it?

Most people here are giving WAY too much credence...

Also, do the PFF draft. Post it afterwards...that shows more proof.
I read what you said: I've seen Mike Ditka via the Saints do some STUPID SHIT before

And I agree, that was the stupidest trade ever. But it happened over 20 years ago and no trade that stupid was ever done again. But that hardly makes those kinds of trades "easy."

We could say the same thing about signing expensive FAs with NFL experience. I remember back in the 70's this guy worked in a bar and became a place kicker for the Falcons, so why does anyone spend big bucks signing kickers. It's easy. If the Flacons can do it, why can't we? It's easy. Just go down to the corner bar and sign the bartender.
Don't get me wrong, I love your trade. It's just that :high:isn't legal yet where I live so it's hard for me to believe it could happen.
 
Update on Kenny Golladay: There is a chance Detroit just lets WR Kenny Golladay walk and not use the estimated $16M franchise tag on him Source: @AdamSchefter

Wow. A legit WR1
Lions really messed that up.
 
Update on Kenny Golladay: There is a chance Detroit just lets WR Kenny Golladay walk and not use the estimated $16M franchise tag on him Source: @AdamSchefter

Wow. A legit WR1
Lions really messed that up.
Yes. If ever there was a place between a rock and a hard place...

Cheers
 
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