Patriots 2024 Offseason Thread

Yes that too. But he is not very good. If he is a backup thats fine. He is better than a bunch of the guys we put out there last year, but if he is our starting RT...eek. Right now our OL is. Okorafor, Sow, Andrews, Strange, and ?

Pff grades
Yr. Rblock. Pblock
2023. 62.6. 60.7
2022. 55.7. 62.8
2021. 65.9. 63.0
2020. 49.0. 63.1
2019. 56.5. 57.1
2018. 58.0. 46.0

QB rankings version 1. I want to see if I can change my opinion after my initial watching of tape, scouting reports and going through the stats. I focus on throwing talent, making teammates better and then running. I had to point that out because that's huge with Daniels an electric runner, one of the best I've ever watched on tape. I just don’t love his throwing. I've focused on Maye versus Daniels lately and for me Maye as of now is clearly my guy. It's not even close. I don't buy the recent media crap that has Maye dropping and has Daniels value going crazy. Heck I like McCarthy throwing way more than Daniels because he throws on the run a ton. My whole rankings is dual threat QBs besides Penix and Daniels is the worst thrower outside the pocket because he just runs all the time. The key tape I've watched for him isn't impressive at all. Chris Simms doesn't like Mayes bouncing eyes, I hate Daniels locking onto targets and so many one read throws. He's way less impressive than Justin Fields in College. It's like everyone is just focusing on his running, Heisman and stats. He's also the only guy among the top 6 with only one good season, which is huge for me. He's like a better version of Kellen Mond and DTR, guys I didn't like much and had as late round developmental QBs.

1. Caleb Williams
2. Drake Maye
3. Michael Penix Jr.
4. Bo Nix
5. Jayden Daniels
6. JJ McCarthy
7. Spencer Rattler
Huge gap
8. Michael Pratt

Late round flyer developmental QB Devin Leary

Daniels running is the only thing stopping me from ranking him just ahead of Pratt. His arm talent is closer to Pratt than the other guys. I almost put McCarthy above him, he's raw and kinda of a developmental QB, but he makes more big time throws and loves to throw on the run. At a certain point I just have to acknowledge that Daniels running gives him a certain floor in the NFL. Williams is clear #1 then a good size gap to Maye. Williams issues are off-field if you want a negative. Seems to have a huge group around him and the not hiring an agent as rookie erks me a lot. Maye only have two years experience is a big negative, but two very good seasons stat wise without crazy talent are a huge positive. Only thing I can think of why people of nitpicking him so much, is that this class is loaded with guys that have 5 and 6 years of experience. Maye is so much better than all of them at the same age it's not even funny.

Penix gets bumped up for his clean bill of health at the combine and things like being voted team MVP at Senior Bowl over Nix. Crazy impressive arm and the ball explodes, big time throws and big time games against good teams. Nix is such a gamer, kinda of the opposite of Penix. Instead of big time throws, he just moves the ball down the field. Accurate throws, throwing on the run and running. Again he's good in the big games. It's what do you want at QB? Penix and Nix are close ranking wise, but polar opposites talent wise. I did debate moving Nix above Penix given mobility, throwing on the run and injuries. I just love Penix arm.

I can see why people love McCarthy, he has the talent to be a good NFL QB. He's kinda a project for me because they asked him to do so little against top teams. While Maye needs to be brought along slowly, McCarthy should probably sit a full year. He wasn't asked to win games in College and that's something an NFL QB has to do weekly. You can't win superbowls anymore with Trent Dilfer playing QB and a dominant defense. It's not that I don't like McCarthy because I do, especially his throwing on the run. He just needs more time to develop.

Rattler is a guy I probably like more than I should. Talent wise he's on par with everyone in this class. He makes some of the best NFL type throws of any QB in this class. Has enough arm strength to do that Mac Jones throw off his back foot, yet he can throw strikes doing that. Can throw strikes into tight windows. Can throw on the run and isn't a bad runner. Has worst talent among the players so far, his OL was crap. So it makes grading him hard, think Patriots last year before Onwenu moved to RT. Boom or bust type prospect. Great arm that's highly accurate, yet his timing and placement on shorter throws isn't great.

Pratt needs to rework his whole game for the NFL. Get back to what he did early in his career with shorter throws. Not the stand in the pocket all day and throw bombs with a so so arm you see later in his career to wide open receivers. His competition was horrible, which showed at senior Bowl. Likely a backup, maybe a starter down the road on the right team after NFL QB gurus redo his game. Massive drop off at this spot.

Leary basically played in two different offenses at NC State and Kentucky. Was last years #1 transfer QB after a good career at NC State. The same Kentucky team that destroyed Will Levis draft stock wasn't a big help for him. Still #2 in SEC for TD passes. Can make big time throws, is mobile. Shows me much more Arm talent than Joe Milton. So he's my late round Sleeper.

* important detail, methinks.

Just last offseason, Denver was holding out for a 1st.

That salary, that we're STILL talking potential and not production, and the draft class made that plummet.

Funny to look at 2017 Bama's impact on current NFL.

Hurts, Tua and Mac ("one of these things... is not like the others").

Pass catchers Ridley, Ruggs, Jeudy, and Irv Smith have all disappointed to different degrees, but Devonta Smith does all right.

Bo Scarborough was 2nd leading rusher behind Damien Harris but ahead of Najee Harris, Brian Robinson, and Josh Jacobs. 

Three first-rounder OL, though Alex Leatherwood (along with Ruggs) got Mike Mayock fired.

Very strange the Jags made the move for Mac.

So what do people want the Patriots to do in free agency? Depending which list you look at 10 out of 14 top free agents have signed or been franchised. A few more could sign before free agency even opens.

I'd focus on Onwenu, then likely lower level deals on offense, Bourne types. It's a horrible free agent class on offense right now. Focus on the depth of very good defenders and finally take our D to elite status. Though I'd make a run at LT Smith. Then go full on offense during the draft.

I agree offense FAs are bad . They really need to resign Onwenu. Glad they signed Henry because there is not a lot there either.

There are lots of good options at RB. Maybe Derrick Henry or if you want to go cheaper AJ Dillon. Josh Jacobs if you believe 2022 was his real talent level.

Whether or not the Pats resign Duggar, they could use a FS. Draft class is not so good there (Bullard maybe Nubin). But lots of options in FA. Xavier McKinney would be great. Kamren Curl, Geno Stone, maybe Kendall Fuller (can play FS), maybe Justin Simmons. They could also move JJ to FS but then they need an outside CB.

I would like to replace Godchaux. They could save 8.3MM by cutting him which could go towards someone who does the same job, but better. Like DJ Reader.

Safety marked has tanked. Maybe Duggar will see that and do a decent deal (3/10?). Lots of those 13M+ safeties just got released. I honestly have no idea what's fair for him.

Never thought he was ever going to leave. The GM made it very clear he wasn't.

How much cap space can roll over into next year? My understanding is that it can, so if you're not really planning at a run with a down FA class it might make more sense to get to the floor, roll over available space, take a young QB with the 3rd pick, and hope things break right the following year. I'd sign a veteran on a 1-year deal to take the beating for the rookie QB and expect another high pick next year. I'm assuming the veteran they sign would be reflective of the QB they plan on taking.

good to have him back