NE Patriots & 2025 Free Agency

[BigKen]

After next Sunday, this will be the most discussed thing from Fort Kent, ME to Hartford, CT over to Providence, RI.

Of course, Mayo and the coaching staff might overtake free agency if Robert Kraft hands the decision making over to Johnathan Kraft.

None the less, we'll have a place to discuss real signings and rumors, as well as people we hope that the Patriots will at least attempt to sign.

 

[BigKen]

Patriots have made a huge effort to sign their own players in the past. Here are the potential free agents on the Patriots and my opinion of who should be kept. I've selected nine (highlighted) of the list and none of these guys will break the bank.

Offense​

• Jacoby Brissett (QB) – UFA
• Chukwuma Okorafor (T) – UFA
• Austin Hooper (TE) – UFA
• Calvin Anderson (T) – UFA
• JaMycal Hasty (RB) – UFA
• Mitchell Wilcox (TE) – UFA
• Kawaan Baker (WR) – ERFA
• JaQuae Jackson (WR) – ERFA
• Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (T) – ERFA
• Kevin Harris (RB) – RFA
• La’Michael Pettway (TE) – ERFA

Defense​

• Jonathan Jones (CB) – UFA
• Marco Wilson (CB) – UFA
• Armon Watts (DT) – UFA
• Daniel Ekuale (DT) – UFA
• Raekwon McMillan (ILB) – UFA
• Jaylinn Hawkins (S) – UFA
• Oshane Ximines (OLB) – UFA
• Trysten Hill (DT) – UFA
• Christian Elliss (DE) – RFA
• Joe Giles-Harris (LB) – RFA
• A.J. Thomas (S) – RFA
• Shaun Wade (CB) – UFA
• Alex Austin (CB) – ERFA
• Will Bradley-KIng (DE) – ERFA
• Josiah Bronson (DT) – ERFA
• Joshuah Bledsoe (S) – ERFA
• Brenden Schooler (S) – RFA
• Jeremiah Pharms (DT) – ERFA
• Azizi Hearn (CB) – ERFA

Special Teams​

• Joey Slye (K) – UFA

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Patriots have made a huge effort to sign their own players in the past. Here are the potential free agents on the Patriots and my opinion of who should be kept. I've selected nine (highlighted) of the list and none of these guys will break the bank.

Offense​

• Jacoby Brissett (QB) – UFA
• Chukwuma Okorafor (T) – UFA
• Austin Hooper (TE) – UFA
• Calvin Anderson (T) – UFA
• JaMycal Hasty (RB) – UFA
• Mitchell Wilcox (TE) – UFA
• Kawaan Baker (WR) – ERFA
• JaQuae Jackson (WR) – ERFA
• Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (T) – ERFA
• Kevin Harris (RB) – RFA
• La’Michael Pettway (TE) – ERFA

Defense​

• Jonathan Jones (CB) – UFA
• Marco Wilson (CB) – UFA
• Armon Watts (DT) – UFA
• Daniel Ekuale (DT) – UFA
• Raekwon McMillan (ILB) – UFA
• Jaylinn Hawkins (S) – UFA
• Oshane Ximines (OLB) – UFA
• Trysten Hill (DT) – UFA
• Christian Elliss (DE) – RFA
• Joe Giles-Harris (LB) – RFA
• A.J. Thomas (S) – RFA
• Shaun Wade (CB) – UFA
• Alex Austin (CB) – ERFA
• Will Bradley-KIng (DE) – ERFA
• Josiah Bronson (DT) – ERFA
• Joshuah Bledsoe (S) – ERFA
• Brenden Schooler (S) – RFA
• Jeremiah Pharms (DT) – ERFA
• Azizi Hearn (CB) – ERFA

Special Teams​

• Joey Slye (K) – UFA

Hooper yes
Hasty no
Jones 50/50 depends on draft and cost
Ekuale yes
Ximines no
Ellis yes
Schooler yes yes
Pharms 60/40 yes
Slye yes

 

[BigKen]

We all agree that the greatest need for the Patriots going forward is a significant improvement in the OL. That starts with a solid LT. Every LT headed to FA will be immediately coveted by his own team and that team will attempt to make an offer that will hopefully scare off everyone else. Big problem for them is that the Patriots have somewhere between $139M and $144M of cap space and hopefully will be willing to spend it. The NFL Cap is expected to be somewhere between $285M and 300M in 2025. If it is $300M, the Patriots will have approx. $175M to spend.

Garrett Bolles is a prime target for every LT needy team. He will probably cost somewhere around 4/$120M ($30M per year, $100M guaranteed) if the Broncos don't sign him before the market opens, if they haven't already.
Cam Robinson will cost less, but the Jags will probably try to price him out of everyone else's wallet. 4/$88m ($50m guaranteed)
Ronnie Stanley, DJ Humphries, Demontray Jacobs (NE) and Jaylon Moore are the remainder of the Under 30 group.

A one year monster from the Jets, Tyron Smith (34) might be worth a $20M-$25M offer to have a rookie study under while greatly improving the left side protection.

Cornelius Lucus and Kevin Beachem round out the top ten. They're a bit older but still very serviceable.

Any of these nine would be a positive impact for the Patriots. With the money that they will have, they cannot be pinching pennies.

 

[BigKen]

Hooper yes
Hasty no
Jones 50/50 depends on draft and cost
Ekuale yes
Ximines no
Ellis yes
Schooler yes yes
Pharms 60/40 yes
Slye yes

I'd rather have Hasty than Gibbons and Ximines is just a 2nd year player who got hurt and would be a solid PS guy. JMO.............

 

[NWPATSFAN]

I'd rather have Hasty than Gibbons and Ximines is just a 2nd year player who got hurt and would be a solid PS guy. JMO.............

Hasty is a little Hasty in making decisions. He didn't show me anything to warrant keeping him. Gibson is still under contract and a better back IMO. I've also stated previously I hope NE gets a RB and FB.

Ximines would depend on what NE does in FA and the draft. I hate keeping a guy solely for STs unless they are special. Ie. Slater Schooler...

 

[NWPATSFAN]

We all agree that the greatest need for the Patriots going forward is a significant improvement in the OL. That starts with a solid LT. Every LT headed to FA will be immediately coveted by his own team and that team will attempt to make an offer that will hopefully scare off everyone else. Big problem for them is that the Patriots have somewhere between $139M and $144M of cap space and hopefully will be willing to spend it. The NFL Cap is expected to be somewhere between $285M and 300M in 2025. If it is $300M, the Patriots will have approx. $175M to spend.

Garrett Bolles is a prime target for every LT needy team. He will probably cost somewhere around 4/$120M ($30M per year, $100M guaranteed) if the Broncos don't sign him before the market opens, if they haven't already.
Cam Robinson will cost less, but the Jags will probably try to price him out of everyone else's wallet. 4/$88m ($50m guaranteed)
Ronnie Stanley, DJ Humphries, Demontray Jacobs (NE) and Jaylon Moore are the remainder of the Under 30 group.

A one year monster from the Jets, Tyron Smith (34) might be worth a $20M-$25M offer to have a rookie study under while greatly improving the left side protection.

Cornelius Lucus and Kevin Beachem round out the top ten. They're a bit older but still very serviceable.

Any of these nine would be a positive impact for the Patriots. With the money that they will have, they cannot be pinching pennies.

I think NE can draft a starting OT. Both Cambell and Banks have dropped slightly in some of the recent big boards. I think they will go between 6-10? So if the cost is too high on the FA pool just move on. Trade the current #1 pick and get one or the other plus the extra draft capital. Use that money on a WR like Higgens. Don't low ball him. Overpay and get him. Lord knows NE can't draft nor develop WRs.

This scenario alone will greatly improve the offense. Add the FB and possibly a good blocking TE and the running game should improve. Barring Stevenson can remember how to hold onto the ball.

 

[BigKen]

I think NE can draft a starting OT. Both Cambell and Banks have dropped slightly in some of the recent big boards. I think they will go between 6-10? So if the cost is too high on the FA pool just move on. Trade the current #1 pick and get one or the other plus the extra draft capital. Use that money on a WR like Higgens. Don't low ball him. Overpay and get him. Lord knows NE can't draft nor develop WRs.

This scenario alone will greatly improve the offense. Add the FB and possibly a good blocking TE and the running game should improve. Barring Stevenson can remember how to hold onto the ball.

So how much is too much for a solid LT? $25M? $30M? $35M? If you're paying a QB $45M a year, isn't a LT to protect his blind side worth the same? Lose the QB, lose the season, possibly lose the QB forever.

So, you pay Bolles $30M a year for 4 years, pay Higgins $35M a year for 4 years and there's still $100M left in the piggy bank. Now you can fill very specific holes like CB and spend $25-$30M more for a DJ Reed or Carleton Davis or $20M for Asante Samuel?

Wow....Still have $70M to spend on an EDGE Like Matthew Judon or Haason Reddick or maybe both.

Just make sure that you have $20M leftover for the draft. Now Trade and select with care and fill the OL holes and DL holes.

Maybe 9-7 in 2025 and load of picks in 2026????

I make it too simple. The front office wants to make it seem as complicated as the Shroud of Turin or Cleopatra's final resting place.

 

[cheerupcharlie]

You keep mentioning Bolles. He’s already resigned with the Broncos.

And you want to pay him 30 million a year? Denver signed him on a 4 year 82 million. Yeah…. Let’s over pay 10 million a year.

 

[BigKen]

Let’s over pay 10 million a year.

Charle, You have to remember ""WHERE"" they will be playing. Taxachusetts. Miserable humidity in training camp, pleasant fall for the start of th season that turns into miserable cold, rain, sleet and snow. Plus the team sucks. Ifyou want top players, they will have to overpay to entice them to spend 8 months in the northeast.

Have to be realistic. Money will be the deciding factor in the first two tiers of free agents.

I lived up there for 72 year of my life except the four in the far east. Lived in Taxachusetts from 1985-1988 and couldn't wait to move out.

 

[BigKen]

Patriots' Top Free Agent Target Drops Ominous News

The New England Patriots desperately need to shore up their receiving corps heading into the NFL offseason, and everyone knows their top target in free agency is going to be Tee Higgins.

www.yardbarker.com

 

[nefansince75]

Charle, You have to remember ""WHERE"" they will be playing. Taxachusetts. Miserable humidity in training camp, pleasant fall for the start of th season that turns into miserable cold, rain, sleet and snow. Plus the team sucks. Ifyou want top players, they will have to overpay to entice them to spend 8 months in the northeast.

Have to be realistic. Money will be the deciding factor in the first two tiers of free agents.

I lived up there for 72 year of my life except the four in the far east. Lived in Taxachusetts from 1985-1988 and couldn't wait to move out.

I guess that's why the Titans are a perennial powerhouse with the longer summers, shorter winters and no taxes.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

So how much is too much for a solid LT? $25M? $30M? $35M? If you're paying a QB $45M a year, isn't a LT to protect his blind side worth the same? Lose the QB, lose the season, possibly lose the QB forever.

So, you pay Bolles $30M a year for 4 years, pay Higgins $35M a year for 4 years and there's still $100M left in the piggy bank. Now you can fill very specific holes like CB and spend $25-$30M more for a DJ Reed or Carleton Davis or $20M for Asante Samuel?

Wow....Still have $70M to spend on an EDGE Like Matthew Judon or Haason Reddick or maybe both.

Just make sure that you have $20M leftover for the draft. Now Trade and select with care and fill the OL holes and DL holes.

Maybe 9-7 in 2025 and load of picks in 2026????

I make it too simple. The front office wants to make it seem as complicated as the Shroud of Turin or Cleopatra's final resting place.

IMO it's not so much the $ it's about $ verse longevity. You can't spend to much for a 1-2 year vet player.

 

[BigKen]

IMO it's not so much the $ it's about $ verse longevity. You can't spend to much for a 1-2 year vet player.

We've come to a point in pro sports where it's a case of money and Length of contract and guaranteed money.
There's hardly a player, especially in the NFL who will even talk to a team about one or two years. If you want to be as sfe as possible, sign the oldest FAs to one year contracts. They will not play for peanuts, so be ready to cough up a big guaranteed contract.

A good 2025 example might be LT Tyron Smith DAL. He made it through 2024. He's36, $6.5 million, including a $4.5 million signing bonus. Would you be willing to pay him $8-$10M for one year guaranteed?

Higgins has said that he's willing to take less money if the Bengals want to resign him. Move on. How about Keenan Allen? 33 years, 6'3" 212
His contract was signed with the Chargers for 4/$45M with $20.5M guaranteed. He's healthy, still catching balls every week. 2/$30M guaranteed??

Dollars vs length vs guaranteed money. If you can't understand where the league is today, then you're living in a Fantasy Football universe.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

We've come to a point in pro sports where it's a case of money and Length of contract and guaranteed money.
There's hardly a player, especially in the NFL who will even talk to a team about one or two years. If you want to be as sfe as possible, sign the oldest FAs to one year contracts. They will not play for peanuts, so be ready to cough up a big guaranteed contract.

A good 2025 example might be LT Tyron Smith DAL. He made it through 2024. He's36, $6.5 million, including a $4.5 million signing bonus. Would you be willing to pay him $8-$10M for one year guaranteed?

Higgins has said that he's willing to take less money if the Bengals want to resign him. Move on. How about Keenan Allen? 33 years, 6'3" 212
His contract was signed with the Chargers for 4/$45M with $20.5M guaranteed. He's healthy, still catching balls every week. 2/$30M guaranteed??

Dollars vs length vs guaranteed money. If you can't understand where the league is today, then you're living in a Fantasy Football universe.

Not sure you understood my comment? It appears we're saying the same thing just different ways?

So yes I would entertain those two offers you mentioned. Granted Smith is getting long in the tooth. Does he have one more serviceable year? He's better than what NE has now. He could also provide that veteran preference. Possibly groom a rookie picked up later in the draft?

So much depends on what NEs draft strategy is?

 

[BigKen]

Not sure you understood my comment? It appears we're saying the same thing just different ways?

So yes I would entertain those two offers you mentioned. Granted Smith is getting long in the tooth. Does he have one more serviceable year? He's better than what NE has now. He could also provide that veteran preference. Possibly groom a rookie picked up later in the draft?

So much depends on what NEs draft strategy is?

Which scares the living hell out of me.

They certainly didn't show much last year.