Patriots 2024 Offseason Thread

Like the idea of adding a veteran into the mix (one way or another). I also wonder how Marcus Wilson and Isaiah Bolden factor it. Reports suggested that the team was high on Bolden before placing him on IR and Wilson started in Arizona (not that it's saying THAT much).

The first thing is these aren't average people, minimum practice squad players make $12,000 a week and $216,000 a year. Most players are focused on building their careers, best place to do that and making the most money. Meyers left over a few million and is pissed Bill wouldn't budge. That was Bill's way, I'm fairly positive that crap is over. It will likely be like 3 years ago when Bill went crazy. Bill also didn't like fake deals where you'd have to cut or restructure a contract. All the other teams do that all the time and I expect we'll start to also. Bill focused on depth over star players, again that likely changes.

A lot of these things are a little crazy, 77% to 89% being almost last to middle of the pack. Most companies would love those numbers of everyone happy but one in five or one out of ten.

Weight room equipment being dead last, yeah it needs to be addressed. It's a fraction of our yearly payroll to replace all of the equipment. Strength coach 65%, yeah that's too low. Our owner investing at 69%, yeah way too low. The funny thing is this is all on our crazy rich owner. Chiefs just announced after 2026 they will do renovations on the stadium. Kraft should do the same thing, heck he should have new weight room equipment installed ASAP! Mayo did just hire an absolutely massive coaching staff, compared to what Bill would have.

Still don't think we'll have issues signing free agents and the bigger thing being how they feel about Boston. Weather sucks, taxes suck, crazy rules suck, it's also a rather nice city with a lot of things to do. Massachusetts has lowest homicide gun rates in the Country, good school systems and a bunch of great colleges. All important things for families.

I love JC Jackson and if he accepts a low level contract I want him back. At the same time one reporter mentioned Gilmore, who sportrac estimates $11.2 million a year. He's not the same defensive player of the year, but wow him and Gonzalez, with both Jones, then the young guys would be one heck of a CB group. Gilmore teaching Gonzalez is also a huge plus.

Not all players honored the Spirit of the Survey:

Forget WR at #34 -- give me instead one of these guys to put next to Barmore:

Just a quick nitpick, but Russell Wilson the last 3 years in passing:

Yards:
3113
3524
3070

Percentage:
64.8
60.5
66.4

INT
6
11
8

Yards per game:
222.4
234.9
204.7

Rushing Yards
183
277
341

Kirk Cousins
Yards
4221
4547
2331 (8 games)

Percentage
65.9
66.3
69.5

INT
7
14
5

Yards per game
263.8
267.5
291.4

Rushing Yards
48.3
38.7
50.0

I don't really think Wilson's legs were that much more of an advantage the last 3 years and I don't know what metric that would have Wilson as a better QB, unless we're talking playoffs in which Cousins is a choke artist.

Seriously? Do you really think Wilson stats on a horrible Broncos team year one with bad coaching is meaningful?

Same draft, same amount of years in NFL, Wilson 115-72-1 with QB rating of 100.0 and 39 GWD, Cousins 76-67-2 QB rating of 98.2 and 28 GWD. Wilson 9 pro bowls to Cousins 4. Wilson had more Yards and TDs, with less interceptions. Now add in massive difference in Rushing, its not even close. Cousins is like Derek Carr, puts up good stats but is highly overrated. 

Wilson played in a defensive run first team,  perfect fit for our Coach and OC. Cousins has played with some of the best weapons in football from Diggs to Jefferson. Diggs hated him so much he forced a trade to Bills.

Oh yeah one is fully healthy and the other is coming off of major surgery.

38 first downs with his legs last year. If that's nothing to you, okay. It's crazy meaningful to me and makes a huge difference for an offense. Nevermind who do you want grooming your next QB? A mobile QB or a pure pocket passer? There's only one PP in the draft and he's more mobile than Cousins. If you draft Penix, I'd say just let him play. That's the advantage with him given his age and experience. At the same time a PP makes things harder in today's NFL.

Interestingly, I'm seeing a couple of reports that say Denver is looking at Cousins and that New England hasn't shown interest in either Cousins or Mayfield. Which makes sense to your other point of if you're drafting a guy who can use his legs as part of his game then you probably want a veteran who can and had. Which might align with reports that they really want Jayden Daniels. My guess is that they'll take him and a veteran to learn behind and will likely get beaten up this season.

In regards to 1D, Wilson had 135 passing TD this year to Kirk's 112 (8 games). Add 38 more 173 total. Kirk last year had 230 passing 1D. It's great that Wilson gives you options, but Kirk was doing the job more consistently, but he also did have better weapons. Neither guy is looking to have an explosive offense in NE. If the plan is Daniels + Wilson I can see the logic in that.

Relevant Cousins note. I'd still rather him than Russ.

Wilson is an ok QB, was never that great, always over-rated but at one time he was good enough to win you a SB. Those days are long gone, unless he wants to take no money and go to a super team.

I think it’s surprising that Jayden Daniels is passing Drake Maye on draft boards. We haven’t really seen a player like Maye flame out in the NFL. He fits the Roethlisberger/Allen/Herbert/Lawrence “giant athlete who decided to play quarterback.” It’s not my favorite archetype. Like those other prospects, Maye’s footwork and mechanics are a mess coming out of college. But if he’s there at three, I have to believe New England would be doing backflips.