Some thoughts while the Patriots' free-agent podium gets a lot bigger, and there's more to do ...
• The first offseason of the Mike Vrabel era was all about building a foundation. Years of personnel failures, especially in the draft, had left the team with tons of holes when the new regime arrived. On the first day of free agency last year, the Patriots attacked those holes — linebacker (Robert Spillane), cornerback (Carlton Davis), right tackle (Morgan Moses), pass-rushing defensive tackle (Milton Williams), run-stuffing defensive tackle (Khyiris Tonga), and Swiss Army Knife physical receiver (Mack Hollins) — quickly and efficiently. More help and more contributors would arrive in the coming days, and via the draft. That gave the Patriots at least a foundation to be competitive in the first season. Obviously, it went a lot better than that.
This year, Vrabel and Eliot Wolftalked, not of rebuilding, but continuing to build. Translation: getting better while rounding out the depth issues.
The Patriots have again backed up their words. After two days of free agency, the Patriots have added a powerful player to the pass rush (Dre'Mont Jones), upgraded at left guard (Alijah Vera-Tucker), brought some teeth to the running game and red zone offense (Reggie Gilliam), and replaced Stefon Diggs with Romeo Doubs. Vrabel talked about getting "better, younger, cheaper." Doubs is a lot younger and a little cheaper than Diggs. Will he be better? That remains to be seen.
• Doubs is a good player and, in theory, should replace Diggs as the slot receiver. Is he sure to surpass what Diggs did last season? No. But he stands a better chance of getting open and effective against the types of defenses (you know, good ones) Diggs sometimes disappeared against. Doubs is quicker, faster and more explosive. Don't think he's as agile in a short area as Diggs, but he has more inside/outside versatility, is bigger and more physical, and will not turn down blocks. Doubs will go after the tough balls, has great play strength through contact, and has strong hands.
• Doubs, along with Vera-Tucker, comes with a lot of durability concerns. The Patriots, a year after enjoying a historically great run of injury luck, are really doubling down. They must have a lot of faith in Vrabel's healing hands.
• I just wouldn't expect Doubs to be a No. 1 receiver, and thought the Patriots were going for that. Doubs is a bit of a consolation prize on that front. If they go into the season with just Doubs for Diggs and a draft receiver du jour, that would be disappointing. The Patriots are not out on A.J. Brown, or any other high-end receiver that could become available in a trade.
But it's starting to get pricey. Depending on the final Doubs contract numbers, the Patriots may only have about $20 million cash left — depending on where the Krafts set the budget, and whether they'll move the needle — and Brown is due $29 million in cash this season. Of course, if I were in charge, I would move on from Mike Onwenu and Christian Barmore, and use their combined $31.5 million in cash for Brown and another free-agent guard like Joel Bitonio.
• Like I said, the Patriots are not done. They are expected to soon add a tight end. I'm not sure who it will be, but I'm guessing it will be former Titan Chig Okonkwo. The Patriots will also addres safety. Other than that, I would expect some small moves to address depth and increase the competition on the roster.
• Yes, I'm very happy with Vera-Tucker signing, provided he stays healthy. He's one of the best guards in the league, and has positional versatility. He's strong, physical, and a technician. At his best and on the field, he's a bigger Joe Thuney. Wouldn't call Vera-Tucker a nasty guard. He's just good, but he will be physical. He's a huge upgrade over what the Patriots got out of Wilson last year, if that's the way it works out.
• Speaking of cash, the Patriots are currently sixth in the league in free agency cash spendingto this point, and Doubs' deal is not included. That should put them over the $50 million mark and into fourth place.
• I'm sure there are some fans who want to spare no expense and go for Super Bowl titles as aggressively as possible, and this has been a little bit of a letdown.
I think the Patriots have done very well for themselves with more to do. And if they have another successful draft with multiple contributors, then you'll start to see the layering of personnel — especially of the young variety — that allows the Patriots to compete every year and, possibly, go for that blue chip player that may put themselves over the top for a Super Bowl title.
They're just not there yet, no matter what they shockingly did last season.
