The first wave of free agency is in the books for the New England Patriots and saw them add a handful of starters to the roster. While work remains to be done, options are now limited on the open market which turns the main attention back to the draft and trade market.
So let’s talk about it all and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag.
At the time of writing this, the only positions that are really set on the entire O-line are RT and RG. A lot has been made of the OTs, but what are your thoughts on the interior of the offensive line? Have we done enough? - Sportzballer
The offensive line as a whole has a lot of work to still do. Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses thankfully have the right side set, but everything else is a question mark at this stage.
New England has plenty of bodies to throw at both center (Cole Strange, Ben Brown, Jake Andrews) and left guard (Strange, Layden Robinson, Sidy Sow), but no player you currently feel comfortable with starting day one. Perhaps they feel different internally with a new coaching staff and scheme, but that seems like a risk. They have explored the guard market in free agency and adding a veteran (Teven Jenkins, Mekhi Becton) would give you a more proven commodity at that spot.
Left tackle, however, is a bit more complicated. Cam Robinson remains the top option available with not many other starting options behind him. There have been reported concerns about Robinson’s work ethic while he struggled after a midseason trade to Minnesota last year.
Robinson’s market has clearly not developed in the opening stage of free agency which could lead to short-term deal that is incentive-based. That’s what I'd hold out for if I was New England in order to add another veteran at the position in hopes he can return to his old form.
Assuming the Pats have to “tread water” on a Left OT this year, what top Left OT’s will be available next year both in FA and the draft? - PatsBob
They will not tread water at the position. Even if they do or do not sign Robinson or another free agent option, the expectation remains New England will add a tackle on the first two days of the draft. They need someone with youth and upside at the position.
“We’re going to continue to support ... the needs that we feel like are on the team, and we will target the offensive line,” Mike Vrabel said Thursday. “There’s still quite a bit of time before we get to the draft.”
But if you really aren't feeling confident, both of Alabama’s tackles currently top next year’s draft class. In free agency, Green Bay has to pay both of their tackles while Los Angeles will have to extend Rashawn Slater. Las Vegas’ Kolton Miller will be a UFA while several young players (Charles Cross, Ikem Ekwonu) will need their fifth-year options picked up.
What is Cam Robinson worth per year, and guaranteed over 3 years? His ratings on PFF make him seem 65 percentile amongst a 130 OT, and that includes a bunch of RT, swing tackles and 2nd stringers. He doesn’t sound like a $25M/year kind of guy, or a guy you commit to for 3 years.
Are the Pats better off overpaying Cam, throwing draft picks at a broke Cap team with an aging-but-above-average LT, or taking potluck coaching up a riser we haven’t met yet? - WannaBePatsGM
Back to Robinson, if the veteran had a $25 million per year or multi-year offer with guaranteed money on the table I’m guessing he would have accepted it by now. I’d remain in the camp of a one-year deal with incentives and then drafting the position.
In all the discussions I’ve come across regarding who’s going to play center this year, the focus is always on the possibility of Ben Brown making a leap, and the questions of whether (a) David Andrews will be the same after his injury, and (b) whether Cole Strange can convert from guard to center. But the name I never, ever hear — even in terms of depth — is the OTHER Andrews — Jake Andrews. Didn’t he show some potential in his rookie season, before injuring himself last pre-season? - BriGuy301
Andrews had some encouraging moments in an extremely limited fashion (13 snaps) being thrown into the fire during his first ever offensive snaps in Week 17 of the 2023 season at left guard. He drew the start in the season finale and struggled, allowing four pressures before missing all of last season. While Andrews was drafted as the successor to David Andrews he remains a big question mark as of now.
If the Patriots want to look back in the draft this season, Georgia’s Jared Wilson is the top option as a smooth but powerful mover. North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel can play all over the interior but could sneak into the first-round while Ohio State’s Seth McLaughlin is a mid-round option coming off a torn achilles. Boston College’s Drew Kendall is also a late-round name to know due to the connections.
Currently, NE still has more than $90M in cap space with free agency now officially active. Also, according to OTC, they have 67 players signed AND have 9 draft picks. How much more should we expect NE to spend? Some will go to the draft class...maybe a few more million on secondary FA’s. Short of a big move and in-house extensions, NE should roll over a big chunk for next season, right? - 1stStateSoxFan
Vrabel has noted multiple times they will not be reckless with their spending but New England certainly has the ability to make another splash addition if they please. Based off who is available that would likely come through the trade market as the door should be left open to a Tee Higgins or Brandon Aiyuk.
Rolling some money over to next season is logical as well with Christian Gonzalez’s extension being a top priority at this point next year.
Out of the remaining FA/Trade options, who are deemed the best fits for the Patriots? And how realistic of a chance do we have of getting them? Also maybe I just haven’t seen it, but about how much cap space do we have left? - LandenPatz1
According to Over The Cap, New England still has roughly $90-plus million in cap space — although that does not included the signings of Robert Spillane, Morgan Moses, or Khyiris Tonga. So, they still have plenty to work with.
As for available targets, Cooper Kupp and Stefon Diggs are the top receivers on the market. We mentioned guards Teven Jenkins and Mehki Becton while Cam Robinson is the top offensive tackle. New England could now look to add a veteran center as well.
On defense, we’d would have pushed for an explosive pass rusher to be added to the mix but they checked box with K’Lavon Chaisson. While they also re-signed Jaylinn Hawkins, I wonder if they would target Julian Blackmon as a deep safety as he was in Indy with cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton last season.
What kind of contract would make sense for Cooper Kupp? When he’s good to go he can give you a 100 yards per game. But lately he only seems able to take the field 8 to 12 games per year. Would you do league minimum salary, an okay signing bonus, and a generous per gameday roster bonus, some of which is considered not-likely-to-be-earned? - WannaBePatsGM
According to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, someone will be willing to offer Cooper Kupp around $12 million per season. I’d expect that to be around the floor for his next deal.
While it does not seem like New England wants to be that reckless, I would give Kupp that deal without guareenting any significant money beyond year one. He is clearly not what he once was but is still better an upgrade on the roster and would be another big-time culture add to the locker room.
Envisioning McD’s scheme...will they be keeping more than two TE’s on the active roster? I’m glad Maye will have Hooper as an option, but, thought they may keep Henry and let Bell, Westover and Giovanni fight for the practice squad, while drafting a young talent to replace Henry in the future. Any chance they still go after TE talent in the draft? - PatsHowYouDoIt
I think it would be smart that they go after a tight end in a strong draft class this year. Both Henry and Hooper are 30 years old and the room could use an influx of athleticism. With Bell, I wonder if he takes on more of a hybrid fullback role moving forward.
What’s your favorite signing so far? - Matt1102
Milton Williams. He was my No. 1 target in free agency and they ponied up to get him. Williams is young, has gotten better every year, and is a perfect fit in this defense. He gives them some serious disruption up the middle and will be a scary partner for Christian Barmore and/or Keion White.
Bonus shoutout to Morgan Moses, especially after hearing his introductory press conference Thursday. Not only is he a starting caliber NFL tackle but the 34-year is a true pros pro. That was needed in the offensive line room (especially after the release of David Andrews).
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following@iambrianhines and@PatsPulpit as well.