6 rings one-off wednesday: drafting the ideal patriots offseason
There is no 'offseason' on the NFL calendar. The Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII win was less than a month ago, and we’re already set for the 2024 League Year to begin. What's that mean? I'm glad you asked.
When the clock strikes 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, March 13th the following happens:
-- All player contracts ending in 2023 officially expire.
-- Teams are allowed to officially sign free agents to new deals.
-- The trading period officially opens.
There’s also the incredibly ironic “legal tampering” period.
Starting next Monday, March 11th at 12 p.m. EST, teams are permitted to contact and enter contract negotiations with agents of players (or players directly, if they’re not represented by an NFLPA certified contract advisor) who are set to become restricted free agents.
That's when the fun begins.
In his inaugural appearance on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show back in January, head coach Jerod Mayo professed that his team is ready to “burn some cash” in free agency — and while a) he's since revoked that comment, and b) de facto general manager Eliot Wolf explained at the NFL Scouting Combine that they’re going to “do what’s right: whether that means spending or saving,” – New England is more than equipped to make a splash.
With the NFL’s salary cap increasing to a record $255.4 million per team, the Patriots now holds over $103 million in cap space according to Miguel Benzan (@PatsCap), a number that ranks first in the NFL.
New England has already made one move ahead of next week, placing the transition tag on safety Kyle Dugger. What this does is give Dugger a one-year, $13.81 million deal (average salary of the top 10 safeties), while allowing him to freely negotiate with other teams. If the safety is extended an offer sheet and New England doesn’t match, then he’s free to sign with that team and the Patriots would not receive any compensation. Otherwise? He's back in New England for 2024 at $13 million and change.
After the team tagged Dugger on Tuesday, head coach Jerod Mayo released the following statement: “Kyle is a talented player with a strong work ethic who has improved every year and been extremely productive since joining our team in 2020. We value players with high character and chose to use the transition designation to give both sides more time to try to reach a long-term agreement, which is our goal with Kyle.”
Dugger being tagged also means that the rest of New England’s internal free agents – notably Mike Onwenu, Josh Uche, and Hunter Henry, will officially hit the market if they don't come to terms by next Monday. There’s rumblings that Onwenu’s asking price could be upwards of $22 million per season on a new deal.
On the external free agent market, the Patriots are reportedly looking to bring in a veteran quarterback to pair with a first-round rookie and according to The Boston Herald, New England is, “targeting at least one elite defender who would start immediately under new coach Jerod Mayo.”
So - while we’ve already touched on some free agents this offseason who would fit New England’s new system (i.e. QB Jacoby Brissett, WR Tyler Boyd, and TE Harrison Bryant) here’s a look at a few more, along with some available defenders, who would make sense for New England to target next week:
DT Christian Wilkins, Dolphins
Springfield native Christian Wilkins is set to hit the market after not being franchise tagged by the Dolphins. Miami selected Wilkins out of Clemson in 2019 with the No. 13 overall pick and he’s been a stud on their interior defensive line. Through five NFL seasons, the 6-foot-4 defender has tallied 355 tackles, 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, 19 pass defelections and an interception. Pairing him with Christian Barmore on the inside would make the Patriots front virtually unblockable.
WR Calvin Ridley, Jaguars
With Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman Jr. being franchise tagged and Mike Evans re-signing in Tampa Bay, Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley has become the top free agent wide receiver on the market. After spending four seasons in Atlanta, the 6-foot-1 former Alabama pass catcher was traded (while serving a suspension for gambling) to Jacksonville at the trade deadline of the 2022 season. He now hits the market having put up a 76-catch, 1,016 yard and eight touchdown campaign in 2023.
OT Tyron Smith, Cowboys
With the Patriots seemingly likely to draft a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick, one of the first things they’ll need to do is protect him. According to MassLive, New England is exptected to pursue Tyron Smith to help do so when free agency opens. The long-time Cowboys left tackle, who’s 33 years old and hasn’t played a full season since 2015, wouldn’t be the long-term answer on the blindside – but would be a decent stopgap while they attack and develop the position through the draft.
OT Jonah Williams, Bengals
Another, more permanent, option at tackle would be Bengals’ Jonah Williams. Williams was selected by the Bengals with the 11th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and after three seasons and 42 starts at left tackle, moved to the right last season following Cincy’s acquisition of Orlando Brown Jr. Now an unrestricted free agent, Williams now has the chance to move back to left tackle and get paid like one.
QB Joe Flacco
Like Jacoby Brissett (who we wrote about here), Joe Flacco would be a veteran option for New England to sign on the open market with experience in Alex Van Pelt’s offense. After starting last season on the couch, Flacco signed with the Browns and not only went 4-1 as a starter, but helped them reach the playoffs while throwing for 1,6,16 yards and 13 touchdowns.
TE C.J. Uzomah, Jets
The Patriots currently don’t have a tight end under contract for the 2024 season. That’s a problem, and one they’ll have to solve sooner rather than later. Enter C.J. Uzomah: a veteran pass catcher who’s played in two West Coast-adjacent systems over his seven-year NFL career. He’s not necessarily starting caliber, but would be a decent compliment in a two-tight end set.
EDGE Jonathan Greenard, Texans
Jonathan Greenard shined alongside rookie Will Anderson in Houston last season, racking up 12.5 sacks and finishing with the six-highest pass-rush win rate among edge defenders. With Matthew Judon heading to a contract year and Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings heading to unrestricted free agency, the Patriots need to re-stock the position. Greenard, 27, would be a fit.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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