Maybe it’s just me, but this draft season feels even more anticlimactic than last year’s. I guess that shouldn’t be that much of a surprise, since at least the Pats had a second-round pick last year and now they’re not scheduled to pick until the third round.
But of course if you know the Patriots, you know things could change quickly and there’s some intriguing assets they could decide to move. Before you know it the Pats could be picking somewhere in the first round.
The signs right now seem to be pointing toward the team hanging on to both Malcolm Butler and Jimmy Garoppolo. But again, this is peak disinformation time in the NFL. There are just as many false rumors started to influence the draft as there are real ones.
Let’s take a deep dive into some of the Pats issues as we countdown to Thursday night. It might be a bit less fun if the Pats don’t pick until the third round, but one thing that’s for sure is that a week from now they’ll have added a bunch of new talent, both drafted and undrafted, that will help the 2017 squad.
Saints Balking at Butler?
#Saints & Butler have a multi-year deal agreed to, pending trade. At this point, trade appears unlikely from all sides. https://t.co/NXkrNUDspO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2017
After the Pats’ offseason started with a bunch of exciting trades and signings it descended to the place we’ve currently been for the last month — pondering how happy Malcolm Butler is and where he might end up. Most of us would like to see Butler extended long term, and thought that with the shit ton of cap space, now was the time to do it.
However the Patriots prefer to play things out as slowly possible to maximize their cap value every single season. It seems the goal all along was to give someone like Gilmore the big deal, and play Butler on the first round tender for a season. That certainly puts more talent on the 2017 team than if they gave Butler the big money deal and had to go bargain shopping for someone to compete with Eric Rowe for the other starter spot.
It’s just a lot to ask of the Saints to not only give up a first round pick (or package of picks with similar value) but also to give Butler the big pay day he’s seeking. He just has to ball out this year and then he’ll have a lot more options next offseason. Maybe it’s not fair after Butler’s put up two very good starting seasons to go on top of the interception in Super Bowl 49 his rookie year, but that’s just an unfortunate side effect of being an undrafted rookie to becomes a star, the team has you by the balls for four years, and maybe a fifth if they decide to franchise you.
Schefter Still Says Garoppolo Stays
ICYMI (in February): Jimmy Garappolo isn’t going anywhere. His name continues to surface in trade rumors and speculation – not happening.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 23, 2017
Schefter is clearly making a point of sticking to his report that Garoppolo is going to be a Patriot in 2017. Since last season I’ve believed this is the right move. Assigning a draft pick trade value to a quarterback you know can win in your system is near-impossible. And while I know Brady has shown no sign of slowing down, things can change very quickly.
However I must admit that in recent weeks the appeal of moving Garoppolo for a influx of picks is highly tempting. Adding a first round linebacker or defensive end could put this defense over the top and make them nearly as scary as the offense is.
If the Patriots do keep both Garoppolo and Butler this season, it all but guarantees at least one of them walks next season. The Franchise Tag can only be used once. For Garoppolo it would be used like it was with Matt Cassel, to retain his rights so they can work out a trade. For Butler, it would be to keep him on the team in 2018.
Gillislee Decision Comes Today
I’ll have a full write up once the Bills decide to either match the Pats’ offer sheet on Gillislee or decline it. This would be another exciting addition, in an area I’ve hoped would be addressed for a couple seasons. The Pats’ flexibility to pluck RFA’s like this goes back to their shrewd cap management that avoids them getting too top heavy.
Amendola Gets $1.7 million, Pats get $4.75 million in cap space
My love for Danny Amendola has continued to grow from his first clutch catches in the 2013 season opener in Buffalo. The numbers of his latest restructure are now available and it opens up almost $5 million more in cap space for the Patriots. Amendola has been so incredibly clutch, I’ve got a monster piece brewing on him recapping some of the biggest moments of his Pats career. For someone who had a lot to live up to in New England, Amendola has carved out his own little piece of Patriots history and set a new-generation example of guys taking pay cuts to win with Belichick.
My mock draft will drop on Thursday morning. Planning on keeping it a little looser this year and projecting some first and second round picks just in case. One thing about Patriots drafts is we all expect the unexpected. Random guys picked way ahead of where the “pundits” thought they should be, shocking trades up and down the draft board, etc.
Should be a fun four days, and don’t forget about Sunday when all the undrafted guys get signed. The Pats always find contributors there.
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As for Jimmy G, I think if the Pats want to trade him, it makes sense wait til the in season trade deadline. If TB gets injured in the first half of the season the Pats have a great back-up. If TB looks like he’s fading, there’s a plan B available for the future. But if by the trade deadline all is good with TB the Pats can still trade Jimmy and still get a lot in return, They might even trade him for a player that replaces a Pats player who has gone on IR. If they trade for draft picks they get them next year instead of this year … but that’s ok. So this might be the Pats’ thinking. Why trade him now when you can keep him as contingency, and trade him later.