Patriots/NFL Patriots hiring Mike Vrabel, a franchise Hall of Famer, as head coach

[yazmybaby]

Depends on what they accomplish in free agency.

I think I'd try to target one or two big fish in free agency, and then use any remaining cap space to fill any glaring holes in the roster with enough mid-tier free agents so that I can go Best Player Available in the draft.

Totally agree, this is the logical path to take.
I want one of:
Trey Smith / Cam Robinson ( despite his bad game last week)

Tee Higgins will be franchise tag'd again, expect him to get 25M a year.
That leaves us with Godwin, who I will happily take.

DJ Reed - fills the need at CB2.

Draft Abdul Carter round one
Best WR round 2
OL - Round 3
RB - Round 3
LB - Round 4

Let's hit on these picks.

 

[JRull86]

Totally agree, this is the logical path to take.
I want one of:
Trey Smith / Cam Robinson ( despite his bad game last week)

Tee Higgins will be franchise tag'd again, expect him to get 25M a year.
That leaves us with Godwin, who I will happily take.

DJ Reed - fills the need at CB2.

Draft Abdul Carter round one
Best WR round 2
OL - Round 3
RB - Round 3
LB - Round 4

Let's hit on these picks.

I doubt Cincy franchises Higgins. He'd be due 26.5 million in the tag since it'd be his second consecutive season tagged. They have 47 mil in space going into next season, with an absolutely horrid defense that needs a rebuild, as well as Chase needing an extension.

I know Burrow wants to keep Higgins, but I don't see a feasible path for them to keep him and doing what they need to do from a roster perspective.

 

[Smitty93]

I doubt Cincy franchises Higgins. He'd be due 26.5 million in the tag since it'd be his second consecutive season tagged. They have 47 mil in space going into next season, with an absolutely horrid defense that needs a rebuild, as well as Chase needing an extension.

I know Burrow wants to keep Higgins, but I don't see a feasible path for them to keep him and doing what they need to do from a roster perspective.

It's kind of interesting because I'm pretty sure Higgins will get $30M+ AAV in free agency, so that $26.5M is pretty good value in comparison. I could absolutely see a tag and trade situation, where they've got a trade agreed to prior to the league year opening, and they can negotiate with other free agents, but not officially sign them, so there's nothing really holding up the cap money.

 

[Smitty93]

I think people are going to be disappointed if you're expecting them to go into free agency making big moves. They might try to throw a bunch of money around, but not sure the top players will take it. Maybe I'm underrating him, but I don't think Vrabel is a big draw, and I'd guess there's at least 10-15 QBs who are more attractive to free agents than Maye, at least at this stage of their careers. They'll probably need to rely on guys who just need a bigger role to have a breakout season.

 

[GatorMike]

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

What Kirk Minihane told us days ago.

 

[Johnnyduke]

Props to Minihane on that one...good get by him