NFL 2023-24 Off-Season

[Donoghus]

Turnarounds from a bottom dweller to a playoff team can happen pretty fast.  Pats have a last place schedule for 2024,  over $85 million of cap room (potentially $100 million), and strong draft capital.  That's a pretty decent recipe to start turning things around.   Defense should still be a strength. Pats have some potential here to have a respectable 2024 season.

[Neurotic Guy]

Turnarounds from a bottom dweller to a playoff team can happen pretty fast.  Pats have a last place schedule for 2024,  over $85 million of cap room (potentially $100 million), and strong draft capital.  That's a pretty decent recipe to start turning things around.   Defense should still be a strength. Pats have some potential here to have a respectable 2024 season.

To a playoff contender, yes. But a SB contender? If it happens in less than 3 years it will be amazing.  Not impossible, but really unlikely.  And… you don’t get there without stars - and one at QB.  Currently the pats are pretty much starless.

[Moranis]

Turnarounds from a bottom dweller to a playoff team can happen pretty fast.  Pats have a last place schedule for 2024,  over $85 million of cap room (potentially $100 million), and strong draft capital.  That's a pretty decent recipe to start turning things around.   Defense should still be a strength. Pats have some potential here to have a respectable 2024 season.

To a playoff contender, yes. But a SB contender? If it happens in less than 3 years it will be amazing.  Not impossible, but really unlikely.  And… you don’t get there without stars - and one at QB.  Currently the pats are pretty much starless.

Yeah, the most recent example of a really bad team making the Superbowl is the Bengals and they did it by drafting a QB at 1 and then adding a high level WR the next year.

[Goldstar88]

Turnarounds from a bottom dweller to a playoff team can happen pretty fast.  Pats have a last place schedule for 2024,  over $85 million of cap room (potentially $100 million), and strong draft capital.  That's a pretty decent recipe to start turning things around.   Defense should still be a strength. Pats have some potential here to have a respectable 2024 season.

Also have to keep in mind that a good amount of the cap space is likely going towards retaining FA players such as: Onwenu, Dugger, Uche, Trent Brown, Hunter Henry, Bourne, Zeke, etc.

I’d imagine Onwenu alone is going to take a decent chunk of that cap space.

[SparzWizard]

Chiefs have released WR MVS.

Patriots should go after him since he has two rings already and helped the Chiefs a lot

[Donoghus]

Turnarounds from a bottom dweller to a playoff team can happen pretty fast.  Pats have a last place schedule for 2024,  over $85 million of cap room (potentially $100 million), and strong draft capital.  That's a pretty decent recipe to start turning things around.   Defense should still be a strength. Pats have some potential here to have a respectable 2024 season.

To a playoff contender, yes. But a SB contender? If it happens in less than 3 years it will be amazing.  Not impossible, but really unlikely.  And… you don’t get there without stars - and one at QB.  Currently the pats are pretty much starless.

Of course, a lot more would need to be done to be a SB contender but increasing their win output by 5 or 6 wins to get a playoff berth isn’t outside the realm of possibility.

[Moranis]

Chiefs have released WR MVS.

Patriots should go after him since he has two rings already and helped the Chiefs a lot

No they shouldn't.  He isn't good. 

[celticsclay]

Turnarounds from a bottom dweller to a playoff team can happen pretty fast.  Pats have a last place schedule for 2024,  over $85 million of cap room (potentially $100 million), and strong draft capital.  That's a pretty decent recipe to start turning things around.   Defense should still be a strength. Pats have some potential here to have a respectable 2024 season.

Also have to keep in mind that a good amount of the cap space is likely going towards retaining FA players such as: Onwenu, Dugger, Uche, Trent Brown, Hunter Henry, Bourne, Zeke, etc.

I’d imagine Onwenu alone is going to take a decent chunk of that cap space.

Really doubt half these guys are back. Zeke cost 3 million last year and would be even Cheaper this year. We massively overpaid Hunter Henry the last couple of seasons. Can probably draft a replacement for him on second day of draft if they want. Brown  seemed disgruntled and doubt he will be back. Tough to know the market for Bourne coming off a serious injury.

[Donoghus]

Brady just ran a faster 40 at the age of 46 than he did at the 2000 combine.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1763208114092880164

[W8ting2McHale]

Brady just ran a faster 40 at the age of 46 than he did at the 2000 combine.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1763208114092880164

His form is certainly a lot better now. It looks like someone’s coached him at some point. I’ve never seen his combine run before, but it’s no surprise he’s slow, running like an 8th grade spaz instead of an elite athlete.

Of course some will say it’s PEDs.

[Phantom255x]

One mock draft (CBS) actually has NE trading down from #3 to #8 with Atlanta, and taking JJ McCarthy.

Barf. 

[Celtics2021]

One mock draft (CBS) actually has NE trading down from #3 to #8 with Atlanta, and taking JJ McCarthy.

Barf. 

You really don’t know JJ McCarthy, it’s clear about that.  He’s going to win a Super Bowl in his career.  Will it be with the Pats?  Who knows.

[Donoghus]

Brady just ran a faster 40 at the age of 46 than he did at the 2000 combine.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1763208114092880164

His form is certainly a lot better now. It looks like someone’s coached him at some point. I’ve never seen his combine run before, but it’s no surprise he’s slow, running like an 8th grade spaz instead of an elite athlete.

Of course some will say it’s PEDs.

Pliability goes a long way. Changing habits & nutrition.  Form definitely improved there.

Running is a weird sport.  I run half marathons faster in my 40s than I did in my 30s.  And I've been a regular runner since my late 20s. 

[Neurotic Guy]

Brady just ran a faster 40 at the age of 46 than he did at the 2000 combine.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1763208114092880164

His form is certainly a lot better now. It looks like someone’s coached him at some point. I’ve never seen his combine run before, but it’s no surprise he’s slow, running like an 8th grade spaz instead of an elite athlete.

Of course some will say it’s PEDs.

Pliability goes a long way. Changing habits & nutrition.  Form definitely improved there.

Running is a weird sport.  I run half marathons faster in my 40s than I did in my 30s.  And I've been a regular runner since my late 20s.

It’s a lot of effort and, well, time will catch up to all of us eventually.  I can’t run at all due to a strange muscle thing above my right thigh.  Can’t participate in any sport as a result (unless you consider golf a sport). I do walk 3 miles a day though - pain free. Anyway, I’ve never been concerned about being in top physical shape and maybe that’s why I have this issue now. Or maybe everyone’s body is different - nature and nurture each having their say. I think Tom probably hit the jackpot naturally and is also maximizing his good body fortune by staying in top condition. It also seems (have to find a negative) that he expends an awful lot of time and effort focused on his body.  My guess is that ideal balance is somewhere between him and me.

[Vermont Green]

One mock draft (CBS) actually has NE trading down from #3 to #8 with Atlanta, and taking JJ McCarthy.

Barf. 

You really don’t know JJ McCarthy, it’s clear about that.  He’s going to win a Super Bowl in his career.  Will it be with the Pats?  Who knows.

I would say the range on JJ McCarthy is anything from Mac Jones to Justin Herbert, so roll your dice if you want.  But you are rolling your dice with any QB pick.  Any QB you pick could be Zach Wilson or could be Patrick Mahomes.  Based on history, even the best scouts, coaches, GMs don't know what QBs are going to be good.  The 49ers traded the farm to move up to draft Trey Lance.  The Patriots got Tom Brady in the 6th Round.  That is the variability you are dealing with when drafting QBs.

The Patriots are 1 for 1 when drafting Michigan QBs so I guess there is that.  I would say that there is less risk in trading back and still getting McCarthy as you end up with additional picks.  So if McCarthy is a bust, at least you have the other picks.  If you take say Daniels, and he busts, you have nothing.