Signage is shown during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
INDIANAPOLIS — After a week at the NFL Scouting Combine, and dozens of conversations with coaches, scouts and executives around the league, here is everything the Herald has learned about the Patriots’ offseason and plans moving forward:
Big-game hunting
Considering their dearth of offensive talent, the Patriots have long been expected to sniff around the best wide receivers and tight ends on the free-agent market. But don’t forget about the other side of the ball.
According to league sources, the Pats are targeting at least one elite defender who would start immediately under new coach Jerod Mayo. Director of scouting/de facto general manager Eliot Wolf said the defense must get faster and more explosive during a press conference on Tuesday. After releasing veteran J.C. Jackson, the Patriots are running low on cornerback depth, and their pass rush could take a hit if outside linebacker Josh Uche leaves in free agency.
Starting linebackers Matt Judon and Jahlani Tavai are also approaching contract years. The Pats hold more than $100 million in cap space, per Over the Cap.
Dugger testing market
The Patriots have extended a contract offer to impending free-agent safety Kyle Dugger, who is expected to test the market. Recent deals signed by Browns safety Grant Delpit and Falcons safety Jessie Bates put Dugger’s projected pay range anywhere from $12-to-$16 million per year.
Dugger, who will turn 28 this month, is believed to want a longer-term contract that will maximize his guarantees in what should be his last chance to truly cash in as a free agent. The Patriots drafted third-round rookie safety Marte Mapu last offseason and have veteran Jabrill Peppers under contract. Though, front-office members have communicated publicly and privately that bringing back Dugger is a priority.
Utilizing the franchise or transition tag has not been discussed with Dugger, per source. If either tag were to be used, the transition tag, around $14 million, seems more likely than the franchise tag, which comes with a $17 million figure for safeties this year.
Onwenu takes charge
Since firing his representatives earlier this week, Patriots offensive lineman Mike Onwenu has garnered significant interest from player agents. Onwenu recently spoke with at least one former teammate about his representation, per sources, but for now is tracking to represent himself with aid from financial advisors. According to a league source, Onwenu gathered extensive intel and market research from various agents who pitched him on their services, information he can now use on his own.
The 26-year-old is expected to become the Patriots’ highest-paid free agent this month. Whether he stays in New England remains to be seen, though two league sources said Onwenu has not been spotted in the building this offseason nearly as often as Dugger, a fellow free agent, or other select veterans, including JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Pats plan to start small
Like most of the Patriots’ best free agents, it’s unlikely Dugger and Onwenu will reach an agreement with the team before free agency.
In the meantime, the front office is moving on lower-profile veterans, including backup quarterback Nathan Rourke, who re-signed Friday. The Patriots are more optimistic about talks with these types of players, according to a source, whom they have a history of re-signing in the days leading up to free agency. NFL free agency will open with a “legal tampering” period on Monday, March 11.
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Bourne’s market
Because of a depressed receiver market, Patriots free-agent wideout Kendrick Bourne should be met by more suitors than initially expected, according to a couple league sources. Bourne has ties to multiple head coaches and lead decision-makers around the NFL, who either saw him play in a Shanahan-style offense with the 49ers at the start of his career or enjoy an 800-yard season with the Patriots in 2021. Bourne’s experience working with Mac Jones that season might also appeal to teams looking for an extra wideout to pair with their young quarterbacks on cost-controlled rookie contracts.
Of note: Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Rams’ team physician, performed Bourne’s ACL surgery in Los Angeles last year. ElAttrache is not the only Rams employee with ties to the 28-year-old wideout. Tight ends coach Nick Caley worked on the Patriots’ offensive staff during Bourne’s first two years in New England. Bourne also overlapped with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during his initial rehab in Los Angeles, according to a source.
Inside the scouting system
Wolf revealed this week that the Patriots are pivoting to a Packers-style scouting system that marks draft prospects by value, or round.
A high-ranking personnel executive who worked with Wolf spoke with the Herald about this system, which runs on a 5.0 to 9.0 scale. A player graded as a 5.0 is considered an undrafted free agent. A prospect who receives a 6.5 grade is regarded as worthy of a second-round pick, and a first-round value starts at 6.9 and goes up from there.
The Patriots’ previous system was based on a player’s projected role within their offense, defense and/or special teams. The grading scale would mark prospects as a backup, eventual starter, first-year starter, immediate Pro Bowler, etc., and often involve a numerical value and a letter grade.
The Patriots are weeks into establishing their new system, which Wolf described as “more collaborative.” The more experienced evaluators are currently teaching it to younger scouts. One personnel executive told the Herald that reports have been streamlined compared to past years, since Wolf was involved in pro and college scouting during the season.
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Report card reception
The Patriots’ poor marks on the NFLPA’s annual report card did not surprise staffers, given their No. 24 ranking among the league’s 32 teams last year. The weight room lacks significantly, both in terms of equipment and space, as reflected in its “F” grade. The Patriots were the only team in the NFL whose majority of players responded to the survey saying they believed the weight room is worse than outside facilities where they could also train.
The Patriots have worked on new layout plans, which involved former offensive play-caller Matt Patricia, to upgrade their weight room for years. Patricia’s departure furthered the delay, which now has no definitive end date, according to a source.
One Patriots staffer did make two objections to the report card: the “B-” grades for food and nutrition/dietician. Team nutritionist Ted Harper is well-regarded in the facility, sources confirmed, and the staffer noted players who arrived from other teams have often complimented the available food and team’s program to address their specific nutrition needs.
Tag, you’re it?
Wolf told reporters Tuesday that all options are on the table with respect to the franchise tag. League sources agree Onwneu is more probable to receive the tag than Dugger, though neither scenario is viewed as likely. Tagging Onwenu would cost $20.98 million for a rising player at a position of dire need, while Dugger’s tag would cost $17.13 million.
The Patriots’ decision to tag or not tag one of the two players could hinge on how much cap space they believe they will expend once free agency starts. The deadline to apply the franchise tag is March 5.
Mac Jones’ trade value
Three front-office executives told the Herald quarterback Mac Jones should fetch around a fifth-round pick in trade talks with other teams. Another AFC evaluator suggested the Patriots might be lucky to land a sixth-rounder. Jones is reportedly expected to be traded this offseason, as the team plans to upgrade its quarterbacks room.
Mayo’s schedule
Patriots coach Jerod Mayo arrived in Indianapolis last weekend and left on Thursday, after he met with the top quarterbacks, according to sources. Mayo was part of a small contingency in that room that included Wolf, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney. Van Pelt arrived on Tuesday, according to one source.
Caley turned down OC job
Former Patriots assistant and current Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley was offered the team’s offensive coordinator job, but turned it down shortly before Van Pelt accepted on Feb. 1, per sources.
Mayo made a hard push for Caley, who returned to Los Angeles after weighing family considerations and the benefits of continuing to work for Rams head coach Sean McVay. Caley left New England for Los Angeles in January 2023, weeks after he interviewed for and lost out on the Patriots’ offensive coordinator job to Bill O’Brien. Sports Illustrated first reported Caley turned his old team down in late January.
Wolf well-regarded
Almost universally, agents and rival scouts and executives have praised Wolf as a highly intelligent and diligent talent evaluator. The 41-year-old was often described to the Herald as ready for his new position, someone whose extensive network in league circles can, and already has begun to, help the team rebuild. Several league sources, though, were puzzled at Wolf’s lack of job security, as most of the Patriots’ front office continues to work on expiring deals.
Wanted: leadership
The Patriots are looking to bolster their locker-room leadership, even on defense, where the team should return captains Deatrich Wise and Ja’Whaun Bentley, per source. Staffers felt player leadership waned late last season. The Pats have since lost longtime captain Matthew Slater to retirement, and are expected to return center and captain David Andrews to a brand new offense. Andrews is entering a contract year.
