The Patriots have 17 free agents. 15 of them are unrestricted free agents and 2 of them are restricted free agents.
The salary cap for the 2020 season will be $198.2 million dollars. The Patriots currently have roughly $26 million dollars to spend. That is not a lot of money so you can almost guarantee that they will make a couple big name cuts this off-season. Right tackle Marcus Cannon and inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower are two names to keep an eye on.
Here is a list of the Patriots 17 free agents and whether or not they should KEEP THEM or LET THEM GO.
Tom Brady, QB, TBD: We have talked a lot about Brady this off season and whether he will stay or go. The market will not be as robust for Brady as some think.
Brady wants $25 to $30 million per season but that maybe a difficult number for the Patriots to pay him, especially if he wants “weapons” around him. A more realistic number for Brady might be $13 to $15 million for one year.
I think the Patriots should make a concerted effort to keep Brady and I think they will but it may not be plausible with his contract demands and the salaries currently on the roster. I know the TBD is a cop out but this literally could go either way.
Joe Thuney, OG, LET HIM GO: The Patriots will do all they can to keep Thuney but he will have a list of five to six teams interested in him. Thuney is a terrific pass blocker and at 6-5 308, he can play guard or tackle. Thuney will command between $14 to $15 million per season. I can see him getting a 6 year, $70 million deal in the open market.
Devin McCourty, FS, KEEP HIM: The Patriots should find a way to keep the leader of their secondary in a Patriots uniform for the rest of his career. McCourty has talked about retiring in the past but he has changed his tune apparently. McCourty will have a decent market but in the end I think he stays here in a two year deal. Keep an eye on old friend Brian Flores and the Dolphins. They will have interest in McCourty as well.
Kyle Van Noy, OLB, LET HIM GO: The Patriots can not afford to pay Van Noy what he will make in the open market. I like Van Noy a lot as a player. I have since his days at BYU. However he is going to demand a multi year deal in the $8 to $10 million dollars per year range. That is a lot of money for a good player who is versatile but not elite.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, LET HIM GO: I would let Dorsett walk. While he has produced at times, he is limited in terms of what he can do. Sure, he knows the system but are you willing to pay for that? Not when you can find a better player in the draft. This year’s receiving class is loaded. The Patriots can do better than Dorsett.
Nate Ebner, SS/ST, KEEP HIM: Ebner is a core special teamer and you know how much Belichick values player him. The Patriots just re-signed Matthew Slater to a two year deal. Expect the same for Ebner.
Jaime Collins, OLB, KEEP HIM: Collins is older than Van Noy so he isn’t as likely to get a long term deal in the open market. Based on production however, he will demand a higher AAV. The Patriots might be able to get Collins back on a two year deal but I don’t see them going north of $8 million per season to do it.
Danny Shelton, NT, KEEP HIM: If the Patriots can get Shelton back at $4 million a year, do it. Otherwise, I would let him walk. Shelton has blossomed in New England and is still young but he’s only a two down player and I would not overpay or commit long term for that.
Ted Karras, OG/C, KEEP HIM: With Joe Thuney more than likely gone, the Patriots will make an effort to re-sign Karras. Karras has proven to be a quality back up and capable starter. He is worth signing and paying starter money level money. Especially because he would more than likely replace Thuney as a starter.
Elandon Roberts, ILB, KEEP HIM: Roberts will attract some interest in the open market but the Patriots should be well positioned to keep him. I don’t envision him getting starter money somewhere else. I think he ultimately re-signs with the Patriots.
Marshall Newhouse, OT, LET HIM GO: Newhouse will still be available come June or July if the Patriots need to add a veteran offensive lineman for depth. They don’t have to sign him right now or in the next three months.
Shilique Calhoun, OLB, KEEP HIM: Calhoun can play in sub packages and add juice to the pass rusher. He also plays on all the special teams. Calhoun is a value player and players like that matter to Bill Belichick because they wear many hats.
James Ferentz, C, KEEP HIM: Ferentz played well enough in a back up role last season. That warrants keeping him on a short term deal as a back up.
Ben Watson, TE, RETIRING: Watson announced he is retiring after the season.
Nick Folk, PK, LET HIM GO: Folk is expendable with Stephen Gostkowski returning from injury.
Restricted free agents
Jermaine Eluemanor, Keionta Davis: The Patriots should be able to come to terms with both. It is highly unlikely that either signs an offer with another team.