Bill Belichick never ceases to amaze.
The New England Patriots received two compensatory selections in the 2015 NFL draft despite signing Darrelle Revis last offseason. Revis was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so he didn’t count in the formula that decides compensatory picks, which balances free agents lost and gained.
One might assume Revis wouldn’t count toward next year’s formula either, but that’s untrue. The Patriots didn’t cut Revis, they elected not to pick up his 2015 option, which made him an unrestricted free agent. The Patriots set up Brandon Browner and Vince Wilfork’s contracts in the same way, so the Patriots are on pace to receive another high compensatory pick next offseason.
They lost Revis, Browner, Wilfork, Shane Vereen, Jonathan Casillas and Akeem Ayers in free agency, and they signed Jabaal Sheard, Robert McClain, Bradley Fletcher and Brandon Gibson. Scott Chandler, who was cut, and Travaris Cadet, Chimdi Chekwa and Jonathan Freeny, all of whom weren’t tendered as restricted free agents, don’t count against the formula.
Before Belichick inspires the NFL to change its compensatory-pick formula, let’s dive into this week’s mailbag:
@DougKyedNESN Do you see a chance at the Patriots running a “cornerback by committee” since they have so many or a set 3 that play the most?
–@AverageJoe1993
I would expect a cornerback-by-committee with their current roster. The Patriots basically ran a CBBC (cornerback-by-committee) at the No. 2 role in 2013. Aqib Talib was the No. 1 option, and Kyle Arrington, Alfonzo Dennard and Logan Ryan all shared snaps as the No. 2 and 3 options.
There’s really no obvious No. 1 option on the Patriots’ current roster, but Kyle Arrington has proven to be a solid matchup against smaller receivers in his career, and Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan have upside. If Bradley Fletcher can put 2014 behind him and regain his 2013 form, then he has the potential to start too. Robert McClain, like Arrington, is a better matchup in the slot or against smaller wideouts.
@DougKyedNESN Any chance the Patriots trade up in the first round?
–@PUNlSH3R
I think there’s a chance.
Yeah, I just said, there’s a chance.
The Patriots have nine draft picks, seven of which they can trade, and five selections in the top 101. By my count, there are about nine open spots on the roster that aren’t already filled or are likely to be filled by current players. And that’s not to say the Patriots need to add nine players. There are players who were on the Patriots’ 53-man roster in 2014 who could complete for roster spots in 2015 that aren’t included in my list of 44 players who are locks or likely to make the roster:
[tweet https://twitter.com/DougKyedNESN/status/581122402173759488 align=center]
Since the Patriots only have a limited amount of open spots, and since they might not be finished adding veteran free agents, they might not need all nine draft picks. They proved willing to trade up in 2012 for Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower, both of whom came in as immediate starters.
If the Patriots feel a cornerback, offensive lineman or defensive tackle can come in and start, then they could be willing to move up. The Patriots likely would be able to move up into the mid-20s by pairing their No. 32 overall pick in the first round with their No. 96 overall selection in the third round. They still would have a selection in the third round thanks to the No. 97 overall compensatory pick they received for losing Aqib Talib in free agency last offseason.
@DougKyedNESN Biggest defensive need at the moment?
–@DPG_93
Their biggest defensive need is either cornerback or defensive tackle. The Patriots have solid role players at cornerback, but it would help to add a player who has the size and potential to be a No. 1 option in a press-man defense.
The Patriots’ defense struggled against the run at times last season even with Vince Wilfork, Alan Branch and Sealver Siliga clogging up the middle. Wilfork is gone, so the Patriots need someone to take his place at nose tackle.
@DougKyedNESN Bill has always been successful with undrafted players. O/U on 3 undrafted rookies making the 2015 squad?
–@Kid_From_Quincy
I’d take the under, at least out of training camp. One or two undrafted players typically make the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster, but it would be rare to see three or more on there.
@DougKyedNESN Now that Brock Lesnar has re-signed for 3 years with WWE, who would you like to see him work with after Wrestlemania?
–@lobster_dog
I think the obvious answer is Daniel Bryan, but I’m not sure how the WWE would set that up.
It will be interesting to see how the WWE handles Lesnar, Bryan, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins following WrestleMania. A Rollins-Reigns feud seems like a natural fit, but the crowd would support Rollins regardless of who the WWE tries to set up as the “face,” or good guy in that feud. Since Rollins is one of the best “heels,” or bad guys, on the roster, that’s obviously not an ideal situation for the company.
@DougKyedNESN have Pats ever selected 1st pick with character and/or motor/passion question marks? Injury(Easley,) Projection(Collins) yes.
–@junkfishjordan
Safety Brandon Meriweather had character concerns coming out of Miami in 2007. He was involved in a shooting in 2006, and he was suspended while in college for taking part in an on-field brawl.
Meriweather remains the only high pick that the Patriots spent on a player with character concerns.
@DougKyedNESN Who’s gonna win March Madness? If not Kentucky, who beats them?
–@KD9512
I know very little about college basketball, but after watching Kentucky beat down West Virginia on Thursday night, I’m convinced the Wildcats could win the NBA Eastern Conference. (I’m kidding. Kind of.)
@DougKyedNESN with Hightower on the shelf for awhile, you think a guy like LB Eli Harold is now more attractive in round one?
–@HailtotheHoodie
@DougKyedNESN If Hightower is out to start the season, which guy on the current roster do you see taking his place?
–@bruinsgirl33
I’ll field these questions together. The Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe reported Hightower will be out six to seven months after undergoing shoulder surgery. Hightower could still be on the field for Week 1 given that timeline, but the Patriots obviously should have a contingency plan.
Outside of Hightower, the Patriots have Jamie Collins, Jerod Mayo, James Morris, Darius Fleming, Jonathan Freeny, Cameron Gordon, Eric Martin, Deontae Skinner and Chris White at linebacker. It’s unclear which of those players would serve as the Patriots’ No. 4 linebacker behind Hightower, Collins and Mayo if the season started today.
Free-agent linebacker Colin McCarthy came in for a free-agent visit earlier this month. He has yet to be signed and could serve as depth behind the Patriots’ starters.
The Patriots also could elect to run a 3-4 if Hightower has to miss the beginning of the season, with Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich at outside linebacker and Mayo and Collins at inside linebacker.
I also wouldn’t be shocked to see the Patriots select a linebacker early in the 2015 NFL draft. Jerod Mayo has missed the majority of the Patriots’ past two seasons with injuries, and he could be due for a pay cut once he passes his physical with the team.
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
