Expectations For 2025

[cdumler7]

Patriots have signed 12 new free agents and yet, they still have more cap space than any other team.

They still have $97.5M to spend. Is there a trade or two in the wind? Aiyuk??

I would say this is an indicator of 2 things. 1) Patriots have been mostly smart with their money. They have had the room to buy whoever they want, but made sure not to go too crazy. 2) This was one of the worst FA classes we have seen in a long time. Teams went crazy the last couple of weeks before FA started trying to get their own guys locked down at a higher rate than we have seen in a long time. They saw this draft isn't great and this FA class isn't great so hard to replace even average talent.

 

[Southieinnc]

I disagree dumber. Free agency usually sucks. The draft has a lot of good players and you just have to weed through…..

 

[cdumler7]

I disagree dumber. Free agency usually sucks. The draft has a lot of good players and you just have to weed through…..

Each FA class is different though. There are different levels of suck just like with the draft. There are classes like 2011 where almost all of the top-12 picks will be HOF level talent then there is a draft like 2013 where there were hardly any starters let alone stars that came out of that draft.

I think day 2 of the upcoming draft looks pretty strong. The 1st round though is not looking so hot. Just compare it to last year. We are talking about one of the deepest QB drafts in a while leading to a crazy run on them and most of them showing they do belong in this league even as rookies. You then had 3 big time WR's, a TE considered one of the better weapons in years, and one of the deeper groups of OT's in years as well.

Compare that to this season. You have 1 QB prospect most agree on should be taken top-10. You have one edge player that would probably go top-5 most years. A CB/WR in Hunter that many agree is a top tier prospect. You have a RB in Jeanty that is considered special. I would maybe say an OL prospect or two that people really like but don't think they could go before the top-4 guys that went last year. That is the list of possible blue chip prospects. So again you have to look at the nuance of it all to see the difference between one group to the next year.

 

[Southieinnc]

I disagree dumber. Free agency usually sucks. The draft has a lot of good players and you just have to weed through

Each FA class is different though. There are different levels of suck just like with the draft. There are classes like 2011 where almost all of the top-12 picks will be HOF level talent then there is a draft like 2013 where there were hardly any starters let alone stars that came out of that draft.

I think day 2 of the upcoming draft looks pretty strong. The 1st round though is not looking so hot. Just compare it to last year. We are talking about one of the deepest QB drafts in a while leading to a crazy run on them and most of them showing they do belong in this league even as rookies. You then had 3 big time WR's, a TE considered one of the better weapons in years, and one of the deeper groups of OT's in years as well.

Compare that to this season. You have 1 QB prospect most agree on should be taken top-10. You have one edge player that would probably go top-5 most years. A CB/WR in Hunter that many agree is a top tier prospect. You have a RB in Jeanty that is considered special. I would maybe say an OL prospect or two that people really like but don't think they could go before the top-4 guys that went last year. That is the list of possible blue chip prospects. So again you have to look at the nuance of it all to see the difference between one group to the next year.

sorry about the spell check on your name.

 

[cdumler7]

I disagree dumber. Free agency usually sucks. The draft has a lot of good players and you just have to weed through

sorry about the spell check on your name.

All good. You've been nothing but respectful to me over the years so didn't figure you were trying to insult me. Plus even if you did mean to insult me not like you would be the first one to use that on me. Heck you wouldn't be the first one to use it on me this week. Figure those who have to result to name calling...not worth the argument at that point.

 

[BigKen]

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Patriots 2025 home opponents​

• Buffalo Bills (L)
• Miami Dolphins {W}
• New York Jets (W)
• Cleveland Browns (L)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (L)
• Las Vegas Raiders (W)
• Atlanta Falcons (W)
• Carolina Panthers (W)
• New York Giants (W)

Patriots 2025 road opponents​

• Buffalo Bills (L)
• Miami Dolphins (l)
• New York Jets (w)
• Baltimore Ravens (l)
• Cincinnati Bengals (l)
• Tennessee Titans (w)
• New Orleans Saints (w)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (l)

I'm not saying that the above will happen, but it is a possibility. 9 Home games and they could go 6-3 and 8 away games where it'll be tough but they could pull out a few and go 3-5. Fewer mistakes and fewer dropped balls and one might be surprised. Especially with a JM offense in place.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Undefeated!!!

 

[NWPATSFAN]

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Patriots 2025 home opponents​

• Buffalo Bills (L)
• Miami Dolphins {W}
• New York Jets (W)
• Cleveland Browns (L)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (L)
• Las Vegas Raiders (W)
• Atlanta Falcons (W)
• Carolina Panthers (W)
• New York Giants (W)

Patriots 2025 road opponents​

• Buffalo Bills (L)
• Miami Dolphins (l)
• New York Jets (w)
• Baltimore Ravens (l)
• Cincinnati Bengals (l)
• Tennessee Titans (w)
• New Orleans Saints (w)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (l)

I'm not saying that the above will happen, but it is a possibility. 9 Home games and they could go 6-3 and 8 away games where it'll be tough but they could pull out a few and go 3-5. Fewer mistakes and fewer dropped balls and one might be surprised. Especially with a JM offense in place.

Depending on when they play Buffalo, that could be a win? Thanks to the two clowns getting suspended.

Definitely, less penalties and catch the damn ball.

 

[Southieinnc]

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​

Patriots 2025 home opponents​

• Buffalo Bills (L)
• Miami Dolphins {W}
• New York Jets (W)
• Cleveland Browns (L)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (L)
• Las Vegas Raiders (W)
• Atlanta Falcons (W)
• Carolina Panthers (W)
• New York Giants (W)

Patriots 2025 road opponents​

• Buffalo Bills (L)
• Miami Dolphins (l)
• New York Jets (w)
• Baltimore Ravens (l)
• Cincinnati Bengals (l)
• Tennessee Titans (w)
• New Orleans Saints (w)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (l)

I'm not saying that the above will happen, but it is a possibility. 9 Home games and they could go 6-3 and 8 away games where it'll be tough but they could pull out a few and go 3-5. Fewer mistakes and fewer dropped balls and one might be surprised. Especially with a JM offense in place.

Why should we lose to Cleveland?
Will Pittsburgh have a QB that can stand up to our defense?
Who the f—- is Tampa Bay?

 

[Southieinnc]

Our defense is looking scary.
We have the franchise QB
The O-line is improved and draft is coming
Special teams will get addressed in draft?
Our receiving corps has improved leaps and bounds
RB's will improve with blocking
We need a kicker - please don't take him in round 1!

We no longer need a lot of holes filled and we have good position in the draft.
Coaches seem more capable

 

[BigKen]

tIME TO GET REALISTIC.........................

Patriots' defense appears to be well put together. If all of the pieces fit as they appear, opponents should have a problem cracking 20 PPG.

That being said, the OL LT appears to be the weak link. IMO, Vrabel should put a call in to 36 year old Tyron Smith. He's still abeast and rarely has given up much of anything. He was making $5.5M and I'm sure he'd jump all over a 1 year $7.5M offer. That would cement the OL and the Patriots' offense just might out up 24-27 PPG. Smith would also be the perfect mentor to a rookie LT drafted this year.

It would also allow the Patriots to draft the best player available and not have to consider "need".

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Our defense is looking scary.
We have the franchise QB
The O-line is improved and draft is coming
Special teams will get addressed in draft?
Our receiving corps has improved leaps and bounds
RB's will improve with blocking
We need a kicker - please don't take him in round 1!

We no longer need a lot of holes filled and we have good position in the draft.
Coaches seem more capable

I really think Doug Marrone is going to be a difference maker.

 

[Southieinnc]

tIME TO GET REALISTIC.........................

Patriots' defense appears to be well put together. If all of the pieces fit as they appear, opponents should have a problem cracking 20 PPG.

That being said, the OL LT appears to be the weak link. IMO, Vrabel should put a call in to 36 year old Tyron Smith. He's still abeast and rarely has given up much of anything. He was making $5.5M and I'm sure he'd jump all over a 1 year $7.5M offer. That would cement the OL and the Patriots' offense just might out up 24-27 PPG. Smith would also be the perfect mentor to a rookie LT drafted this year.

It would also allow the Patriots to draft the best player available and not have to consider "need".

"Given Smith's age, teams may not want to commit to him long term, but he remains a solid option at left tackle. His 73.7 PFF overall grade before his injury ranked 21st among all tackles, making him a worthwhile short-term investment for teams seeking offensive line stability. Unfortunately, another injury landing Smith on injured reserve raises questions about whether the longtime stalwart will seek to continue playing in 2025 and beyond."

 

[NWPATSFAN]

"Given Smith's age, teams may not want to commit to him long term, but he remains a solid option at left tackle. His 73.7 PFF overall grade before his injury ranked 21st among all tackles, making him a worthwhile short-term investment for teams seeking offensive line stability. Unfortunately, another injury landing Smith on injured reserve raises questions about whether the longtime stalwart will seek to continue playing in 2025 and beyond."

I'm ok for overpaying him for a 1 year deal. Much like what BK said. Go best avail at #4 if they can't trade back and then secure a couple OL. Preferably a LT not a projected guard and whoever they feel is the best Olineman with the next selection. Assuming they go skill position with their 1st pick. I like where they're headed.

 

[YankeeRebel]

I'm ok for overpaying him for a 1 year deal. Much like what BK said. Go best avail at #4 if they can't trade back and then secure a couple OL. Preferably a LT not a projected guard and whoever they feel is the best Olineman with the next selection. Assuming they go skill position with their 1st pick. I like where they're headed.

I can see them trading back as far as 12 and still getting a LT. I like a Trade with NO. NO Gets NE 4th, we pick up their 9th and their round 2 pick. Then at nine take best LT on board in round two RB and IOL, round three TE and RB

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I like where they're headed.

I feel like this has been the best offseason in a while.
I feel really confident that they have seriously improved the team.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I can see them trading back as far as 12 and still getting a LT. I like a Trade with NO. NO Gets NE 4th, we pick up their 9th and their round 2 pick. Then at nine take best LT on board in round two RB and IOL, round three TE and RB

Wait, 2 RB's?

 

[YankeeRebel]

Wait, 2 RB's?

Apologies in RD three TE and or WR of top tiered player at position of need.

RD 1 LT

RD 2 IOL RB

RD 3 TE and top position of need if a high potential WR is there I have no objection.

 

[Dude]

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Patriots 2025 home opponents​

• Buffalo Bills (L)
• Miami Dolphins {W}
• New York Jets (W)
• Cleveland Browns (L)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (L)
• Las Vegas Raiders (W)
• Atlanta Falcons (W)
• Carolina Panthers (W)
• New York Giants (W)

Patriots 2025 road opponents​

• Buffalo Bills (L)
• Miami Dolphins (l)
• New York Jets (w)
• Baltimore Ravens (l)
• Cincinnati Bengals (l)
• Tennessee Titans (w)
• New Orleans Saints (w)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (l)

I'm not saying that the above will happen, but it is a possibility. 9 Home games and they could go 6-3 and 8 away games where it'll be tough but they could pull out a few and go 3-5. Fewer mistakes and fewer dropped balls and one might be surprised. Especially with a JM offense in place.

I think we split W-L with the Bills. But WTH do I know, my predictions are usually wrong. And .. F the Jets, heheh.

 

[Southieinnc]

I think we split W-L with the Bills. But WTH do I know, my predictions are usually wrong. And .. F the Jets, heheh.

I like your thinking.
We have made a lot of big changes and we are not done.
Nobody should be minimizing our improvement or our expectations.
We still have another $76 million to spend too!