The next few months will be busy for the New England Patriots as they prepare for the Jerod Mayo era. The NFL Draft is in its early stages and the Patriots have the third overall pick, but free agency will be key to building a roster that bounces back from a 4-13 campaign.
Mayo said he plans to hold a big event this spring. “We’re recruiting 1,000 percent talent,” Mayo said on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show. “Make sure you have some space and money. Burn some money.”In addition to bringing in talent from outside the organization, the Patriots must decide which of their own players to keep.
Notable free agents include offensive tackle Mike Onwenu and safeties Kyle Dugger and Hunter Henry. Our own Phil Perry thinks the Patriots should make it a priority to re-sign Mike Onwenu as part of their cash burn plan. On Wednesday’s episode of Arbella Early Edition, he duplicated this photo. “I think four years, $60 million, $15 million a year is consistent with who he is,” Perry said of Onwenu.
“Jack Conklin recently signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns. This is a great game and will be paid $15 million per year. This is your walking speed. Buying a basic outfit will require you to pay some money, unless you want to start from scratch at one of the most important positions in the league. “We have to do this with Onbenu.”Tom E. Curran agrees with Perry and stresses the importance of installing the offensive line instead of just focusing on the skill positions.
“I would be surprised if the Patriots cut players who have contributed significantly at this point,” Curran said. “If the conversation between Onwenu and his agent is, ‘We’re not going back, we’re going to test the market,’ they don’t know what the deal is going to be like.” After Bill (Belichick). They haven’t signed any upcoming free agents and are getting a steadily improving offensive line.
That’s basically what they have. “So at some point you have to step up. If you don’t re-sign Mike Onwenu or raid him and replace him with Sidi Sow, Attonio Mafi or Conor McDermott, you’re basically saying “we” are far from relegation.
We will spend money primarily on skill talent.” Part of me understands the logic of going 3rd and taking Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu (the top tackles in the draft), so I guess it’s putting the cart before the horse do what.”Whether it’s Onwenu, one of the top picks in the draft, or another free agent ready to play, the Patriots need talent on the offensive line.
There is currently no contract until 2024. Now that Bill Belichick is gone, it’s unclear who will negotiate free agent contracts this offseason. Director of player personnel Matt Groh appears to be the favorite to take over if owner Robert Kraft takes over as general manager.
