The NFL tag deadline has passed and the new league year is almost here. As Patriots fans try to consider every possible avenue for this team, I took a shot at mocking a full offseason. Which Patriots players make their return, which free agents are brought in, and finally, who they land in the draft. A full Patriots 2024 mock offseason, let’s jump into it.
Extensions
Embed from Getty Images- Kendrick Bourne – Two years, 15 million with 8.5 million guaranteed
- Pharoah Brown – One year, two million with 1.2 million guaranteed
- Anfernee Jennings – Two years, 7.5 million with 4.75 million guaranteed
- Hunter Henry – Two years, 17.5 million with 10 million guaranteed
- Kyle Dugger transition tagged for 13.8 million – Extend him three years, 39 million with 22 million guaranteed
- Michael Onwenu – Four years, 68 million with 39.5 million guaranteed
The Patriots prioritize reliability here with resigning players of both need and dependability. Bourne returns as he looks to rebound from his ACL injury. Brown and Henry come back as the Patriots look to solidify their TE spot heading into the draft. Dugger is tagged but ultimately returns on a new three-year deal. Jennings returns as he looks to build on his best season yet. Finally, the Patriots send the bag for Michael Onwenu with a big AAV and hefty guarantees to get him back to New England.
Free Agent Signings
Embed from Getty Images- Sign WR Calvin Ridley – Four years, 80 million with 39 million guaranteed
- Sign T Jonah Williams – Two years, 22.5 million with 15 million guaranteed
- Sign S Alohi Gilman – Three years, 21 million with 13.5 million guaranteed
- Sign T Josh Jones – Two years, 11 million with six million guaranteed
- Sign DE Casey Toohill – Two years, eight million with four million guaranteed
- Sign QB Jacoby Brissett – Two years,10 million with seven million guaranteed
- Sign LB Patrick Queen – Four years, 68 million with 46 million guaranteed
- Sign RB Gus Edwards – One year, two million with 1.5 million guaranteed
The Patriots stay aggressive and land two big fishes in free agency. Calvin Ridley comes to New England to lead their wide receiver core, while Matthew Judon finally successfully recruits old friend Patrick Queen to New England. Patriots toss extra guarantees to Queen to get him in the door. The team also aggressively approaches the tackle position as they add Jonah Williams and Josh Jones, two tackles who have experience on both sides. This move allows the Patriots to head into the draft without an urgent need to address the tackle position early.
Finally, the Patriots make complementary moves to help remold the roster. Gus Edwards comes in as a veteran running back option. Jacoby Brissett returns to NE to help mentor a rookie QB. The Patriots also land Alohi Gilman to aid in the safety position. Finally, they add Casey Toohill to provide depth along the edge.
Internal Moves
Embed from Getty Images- Extend Matthew Judon – One year, 14 million – Extension would lower 2024 cap from 14.675 to 13.970 million according to @patscap (see below)
- Extend Christian Barmore – Four years, 80 million with 46 million guaranteed
- Trade Mac Jones to the LA Rams for the 191st and 212th picks
- Trade DeVante Parker and the 229th pick to the Jaguars for the 195th pick… saves 3.33 million in cap space
2024 NFL Draft
Embed from Getty Images- 3rd Overall: UNC QB Drake Maye
- Trade #34 and 2025 5th to GB for #41 and #91
- 41st Overall: Texas WR Xavier Worthy
- Trade #68 to the Colts for #82 and #118
- 82nd Overall: Pitt T Matt Goncalves
- 91st Overall: Rutgers CB Max Melton
- 104th Overall: Wisconsin RB Braelan Allen
- 118th Overall: Colorado St DE Mohamed Kamara
- Trade #136, #182, and #191 to the Vikings for #145, #168 and #179
- 145th Overall: Michigan TE AJ Barner
- 166th Overall: Auburn S Jaylin Simpson
- Trade #179 and #212 to KC for #172 and their 2025 7th
- 172nd Overall: NC State C Dylan McMahon
- 195th Overall: UTSA WR Joshua Cephus
Results
If training camp comes around and this is the Patriots offseason, I think most fans would be pretty happy. Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo work together to transform the offense by landing who they hope to be their next franchise QB, Drake Maye. Veteran QB Jacoby Brissett is added to the mix to help mentor Maye. They work to revamp the offensive line with two veteran additions and two rookies. They also add two premier new weapons to the mix with veteran Calvin Ridley leading the group, and speedster Xavier Worthy being added with their second-round pick. On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots don’t shy away from adding more talent. They land star linebacker Patrick Queen, a young safety in Alohi Gilman, and DE Casey Toohill. Combine those additions with extending Barmore, resigning Dugger, Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones returning, and the draft additions, the defense will be well-equipped to be a top unit again.
Overall, they add a lot of talent to the roster. As they look to rebuild the roster, the goal will be to take a step forward. A playoff berth in 2024 is the goal but ultimately not very likely. The roster severely lacked high-end talent the past few seasons and this would improve on that. If they hit on Drake Maye, this team could be playoff-bound sooner rather than later.
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Featured Image: Getty Images/Perry Knotts
