If anybody had any doubts that the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era Patriots have been the most dominant team in NFL history, those doubts were silenced on Sunday. The Patriots nearly lost, but the best quarterback of all time and a bunch of cast-offs from other teams dominated the Falcons in a way only the Patriots could. They enter the off season as champions, but they have plenty of tough decisions to make this off season, starting with free agency.Free Agency:
Cap Space: $56,283,802 (According to Fanspeak Ultimate GM)
Notable Free Agents: TE Martellus Bennett, RB LeGarrette Blount, OT Sebastian Vollmer, WR Michael Floyd, EDGE Chris Long, EDGE Jabaal Sheard, LB Dont'a Hightower
The Patriots have a lot of good players due for free agency. Dont'a Hightower is the priority free agent, and while he will be expensive, he is a complete linebacker and the best player on their defense. LeGarrette Blount lead the NFL in touchdowns, but he is an older back that will probably demand more money than the front office is willing to pay. Sebastian Vollmer is getting old and is often injured, but when healthy he is one of the better offensive tackles in the league. That one could go either way. The same can be said for Martellus Bennett, but he likes the Patriots so much he might come back for cheaper than most may think. Michael Floyd was productive in his short stint with the Patriots, but I do not see the Pats resigning him. Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long were rotational pass rushers, but neither stood out and both are old, so I doubt both are resigned ( I would have my money on Long coming back).
On the Market Prospects: OT Riley Reiff, OT Ricky Wagner, EDGE Mario Addison, WR Kamar Aiken
Riley Reiff and Ricky Wagner are both young, quality options that could replace Sebastian Vollmer. They won't be cheap, but they will be reliable. Mario Addison lead the Panthers in sacks last year, and he could replace Jabaal Sheard coming off the edge. Kamar Aiken has not had a huge role with the Ravens, but whenever someone gets hurt, he steps up, which would be huge for the injury plagued wide receiving corps of the Patriots.
Trade Prospect: QB Jimmy Garoppolo
There are rumors that the Patriots will trade Garoppolo to just about every quarterback needy team. There is a good chance they might in exchange for draft picks, and you know the Patriots will find some perennial pro bowler with those picks, In reality, however, they have no real reason to trade Garoppolo. Tom Brady cannot play forever, and it is not like the Patriots need extra picks because they have over $55 million in cap space and a pick in every round anyway. Their best course of action is to give Garoppolo the Aaron Rodgers treatment and sit him until Brady retires.
The Draft:
Early Round (1 and 2) Prospects:
Christian McCaffrey has been the go-to prospect for mock drafters when it comes to the Patriots. I could see Belichick drooling with all of the ways he could use McCaffrey in the offense. While he may be a similar style runner to James White and Dion Lewis, Belichick could take a page out of Atlanta's offense and draft a back that has a higher upside than either. We all know Belichick loves versatile defenders, so Jabrill Peppers, Haasson Reddick, or Zac Cunningham makes sense. They are all physical freak with multiple uses that Belichick can find. The biggest positional need might be EDGE rusher, however, so look for Belichick to invest in a player. At the end of the first round, pass rushing talents such as Demarcus Walker and Carl Lawson should be available. I think they would pick Lawson, simply because he can rush standing up or with his hand in the dirt and is a more complete player than Walker.
Late Round (3-7) Prospects:
The Patriots need a bulldozing back to replace Blount if he leaves in free agency, so drafting James Connor or Brian Hill makes sense, as they can work at the goal line and carry the ball 20 times a game. It would be worth spending a pick on the secondary to, so I think they could pick a guy like Cameron Sutton or Corn Elder who could play corner or safety in the pros. Offensive line depth is always important, so picking a guy like Avery Gennesy could provide depth and possibly a long term starter at tackle. Josh Reynolds has height and speed, something that the Patriots receiving core could use. Issac Rochell is like a poor mans Demarcus Walker who can play the edge or tackle positions. Michael Rector is a late round wide receiver with field stretching ability the patriots would like. Jonnu Smith is a sleeper tight end with a big frame and great receiving skills.
One move nobody may see coming:
Everybody knows that the Patriots may trade Jimmy G, but what if they traded him to the Browns for a draft pick and Joe Thomas? He could seal Brady's blindside until he retires and could finally earn a ring while the Browns get their quarterback of the future. Thomas has reportedly been on the trade block for a while, so there is no reason he will not be traded now.
What I would do
- Resign Martellus Bennett, Dont'a Hightower, and Chris Long
- Sign Kamar Aiken, Ricky Wagner, and Mario Addison
- Draft: Round 1-Carl Lawson, Round 2- Haason Reddick, Round 3- Corn Elder, Round 3- James Connor, Round 4- Issac Rochell, Round 5- Avery Gennesy, Round 6- Jonnu Smith, Round 7- Michael Rector
Cap and free agency data provided by Fanspeak UltimateGM service.
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