The New England Patriots re-signing Kyle Dugger and adding Baker Mayfield in free agency have been two of the most desired strikes through these who comply with the crew this offseason, however they’re two of the players Jerod Mayo’s crew have to keep away from most.
Sure, the Patriots have just under $85 million in cap area at their disposal. They also have a urgent need for a quarterback, and Mayfield’s one of the exceptional veterans available. Dugger has also been one of the organization’s few worthwhile early-round draft picks in the remaining 10 years.
But what New England wants to reflect onconsideration on this offseason is additionally building the fine crew for the long-term future, no longer simply 2024. That’s how the Patriots located themselves in an unideal spot over the closing two seasons after a record free-agency spending spree in 2021.
So, here’s why Dugger and Mayfield wouldn’t be worth the cash for the Patriots in 2024 NFL free agency.
Baker Mayfield
Mayfield’s comeback season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have been the quality story in the NFL closing year, but the Patriots should proceed with warning if they’re going to attempt and sign him.
The former No. 1 standard pick out is not too some distance removed from being the quarterback no one wanted to change for in the course of the 2022 offseason and used to be as a result benched by way of the Carolina Panthers for Sam Darnold. After a stable 2020 campaign, Mayfield threw for simply 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns and thirteen interceptions with an 83.1 passer ranking in 2021, taking part in beneath new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt in his remaining season with the Cleveland Browns.
A year later, Mayfield threw for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions with a 74.4 passer rating in seven games with the Panthers. He used to be barely better in his restricted time with the Los Angeles Rams, however was once nonetheless unspectacular while throwing for just 850 yards over five games.
If Mayfield was once a recognized stop-gap alternative for New England, he’d make extra sense. But it looks that he’s going to command a precise deal of cash and a multi-year dedication on the open market.. That’s how the New York Giants determined themselves caught with Daniel Jones for at least another season, if not two.
Don’t be the Giants, stuck with a quarterback on a excessive salary who’s played extra terrible football than not over the ultimate three years. Instead, get a cheaper, one-year option to help set up whoever you draft at quarterback in April 2025.
Kyle Dugger
The Patriots indicated at least some wish to maintain Dugger on Tuesday when they gave him the transition tag on Tuesday. But that rarely-used pass also serves as a clear signal the group doesn’t price him that much.
At $13.82 million, the transition tag is more cost effective than the franchise tag ($17.1 million) via a few million dollars. On pinnacle of utilizing the cheaper option, the solely other advantage the Patriots get if Dugger signs and symptoms with every other group is the right to healthy his contract. They won’t get first-round preferences in return, which would’ve befell if a crew signed Dugger off the franchise tag (though that used to be not going to happen). They also won’t get a compensatory draft pick out for dropping him in 2025 if he symptoms elsewhere.
Beyond that, Dugger’s positional healthy and average talent doesn’t command the eight-figure income he might be looking for in free agency. As laid bare through quite a few groups around the league this week, protection just isn’t a precious position. Safeties Jordan Poyer, Justin Simmons, Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams had been the most gorgeous cap casualties this week outside of Russell Wilson, showing teams would instead spend someplace else on the roster.
Even searching at the Patriots’ roster, Dugger isn’t a clear fit. Jabril Peppers emerged as the improved option between the two as an inside-the-box safety this previous season and Marte Mapu, a 2023 third-round pick, is ready in the wing.
Dugger determined himself playing free security a correct deal final season. He didn’t fare nicely in that role, allowing forty five receptions on 63 pursuits for 446 yards remaining season, incomes a mediocre 50 insurance grade from Pro Football Focus.
New England must strongly consider getting rid of the transition tag from Dugger at this point, clearing out some additional cap house to exchange him with a extra herbal free safety.
