There are some huge weeks on the horizon for the Patriots’ new-look teaching employees and entrance workplace.
The NFL Scouting Combine begins on Tuesday. That provides the Patriots a possibility to not solely meet with and scout NFL Draft prospects but in addition discuss to brokers forward of free company.
Then free company begins the week of March 11.
Let’s reply some questions forward of these NFL tentpole occasions on this week’s mailbag.
@BollmanScouting
Which of the pending FAs do you are feeling is most probably to be tagged?
The franchise tag window opened Tuesday and can shut March 5. The prime candidates are offensive lineman Mike Onwenu and security Kyle Dugger. We know Onwenu would value $21 million on the franchise tag and $19 million on the transition tag, and Dugger could be $17.1 million on the franchise tag and $13.8 million on the transition tag now that the NFL wage cap has risen to $255.4 million.
From what I’ve heard from a crew supply, it’s a risk the Patriots will use the franchise tag however not essentially a excessive chance.
With as a lot cap area because the Patriots have (practically $87 million) and all the money they should spend, it ought to be a precedence to carry each gamers again this offseason, whether or not it’s on a long-term deal or tag.
Given the tag figures, it could be most useful to signal Onwenu to a long-term deal and doubtlessly tag Dugger.
@SportsFellow_
Does Mac Jones make sense as a bridge QB for this yr? Rookie contract, the brand new QB learns underneath him, and so forth. In addition, if Mac performs effectively, he might enhance his commerce worth.
I feel it could be a troublesome promote for the Patriots’ fanbase, however there’s some logic to it with a brand new head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
But after two years of struggles, it could be comprehensible if Patriots followers can’t get excited for the 2024 season if Mac Jones is again underneath heart in Week 1, even with a robust summer season and coaching camp.
Jones seemed good final summer season too after which performed even worse with an skilled offensive coordinator.
The Patriots would undoubtedly must construct round Jones higher by giving him higher safety and receivers. Still, it makes probably the most sense to maneuver on and herald a distinct veteran bridge choice if the plan is to draft a brand new quarterback. The ceiling gained’t change, and the ground will likely be a lot greater with a distinct choice.
@RickLawsonEP
Does the 2021 draft the place 3 QBs went on the prime, the place two will be thought of failures and one simply an OK QB, scare you in drafting a QB at 3? Should Mayo construct the roster first to setup a QB to succeed
There’s some inherent danger with taking a quarterback within the prime three, nevertheless it’s additionally nonetheless the easiest way to search out your franchise quarterback, and there’s a ton of profit in having that participant on a cost-controlled rookie contract for 5 years.
So, positive, the struggles of Zach Wilson and Trey Lance are actually scary. But if Eliot Wolf and his employees consider this class and consider Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels is price a top-three decide, then they need to belief their scouting and pull the set off.
@MattyBriand
How will we really feel about including a free agent TE then perhaps a 2nd tier Draft TE like Ben Sinnott
Veteran tight ends are such bargains, I’d completely signal one of many veteran choices this offseason. Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki would seemingly need to take pay cuts to re-sign, however Dalton Schultz, Noah Fant and Gerald Everett are potential suits who will come as a cut price in comparison with different offensive talent place gamers.
@Dan40plus
Would you assist the Patriots signing Baker Mayfield (pretending TB isn’t re-signing him) after which drafting for offensive line and talent gamers round him?
It relies on the price. Mayfield might wind up signing a hefty contract this offseason after he performed effectively for the Buccaneers final season.
I’ll say the Patriots’ present employees actually is aware of Mayfield effectively. Wolf was on the Browns’ employees when Mayfield was drafted. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt coached Mayfield with the Browns in 2020 and 2021, and QB coach T.C. McCartney and offensive line coach Scott Peters have been on that employees, as effectively. Senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo and senior personnel advisor Pat Stewart have been with Mayfield with the Panthers.
So, the Patriots will completely know if he’s a match and definitely worth the cash.
@daltonringey
Now that the employees has been finalized, what are 3 personnel strikes you suppose the patriots must make this offseason, whether or not or not it’s via free company or the draft
This could be very simplistic, however add expertise at quarterback, vast receiver and offensive sort out. They’ll must fill each sort out spots if Onwenu leaves, in order that’s actually a precedence. But additionally they want so as to add no less than one new quarterback and overhaul the vast receiver place.
@joshhanson9
How are you doing doug?
My household and I are hanging in there. We’ve bought some good distractions, however our minds are at all times on our late daughter, Hallie.
Kyed: Remembering Hallie and protecting the Patriots via unimaginable circumstances
Source: www.bostonherald.com