Patriots mailbag: What’s the likelihood the franchise tag will be used? - Boston Herald

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There are some big weeks on the horizon for the Patriots’ new-look coaching staff and front office.

The NFL Scouting Combine starts on Tuesday. That gives the Patriots an opportunity to not only meet with and scout NFL Draft prospects but also talk to agents ahead of free agency.

Then free agency starts the week of March 11.

Let’s answer some questions ahead of those NFL tentpole events in this week’s mailbag.

@BollmanScouting
Which of the pending FAs do you feel is most likely to be tagged?

The franchise tag window opened Tuesday and will close March 5. The top candidates are offensive lineman Mike Onwenu and safety Kyle Dugger. We know Onwenu would cost $21 million on the franchise tag and $19 million on the transition tag, and Dugger would be $17.1 million on the franchise tag and $13.8 million on the transition tag now that the NFL salary cap has risen to $255.4 million.

From what I’ve heard from a team source, it’s a possibility the Patriots will use the franchise tag but not necessarily a high likelihood.

With as much cap space as the Patriots have (nearly $87 million) and all of the cash they need to spend, it should be a priority to bring both players back this offseason, whether it’s on a long-term deal or tag.

Given the tag figures, it would be most beneficial to sign Onwenu to a long-term deal and potentially tag Dugger.

@SportsFellow_
Does Mac Jones make sense as a bridge QB for this year? Rookie contract, the new QB learns under him, etc. In addition, if Mac plays well, he could improve his trade value.

I think it would be a tough sell for the Patriots’ fanbase, but there’s some logic to it with a new head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

But after two years of struggles, it would be understandable if Patriots fans can’t get excited for the 2024 season if Mac Jones is back under center in Week 1, even with a strong summer and training camp.

Jones looked good last summer too and then played even worse with an experienced offensive coordinator.

The Patriots would definitely need to build around Jones better by giving him better protection and receivers. Still, it makes the most sense to move on and bring in a different veteran bridge option if the plan is to draft a new quarterback. The ceiling won’t change, and the floor will be much higher with a different option.

@RickLawsonEP
Does the 2021 draft where 3 QBs went at the top, where two can be considered failures and one just an OK QB, scare you in drafting a QB at 3? Should Mayo build the roster first to setup a QB to succeed

There’s some inherent risk with taking a quarterback in the top three, but it’s also still the best way to find your franchise quarterback, and there’s a ton of benefit in having that player on a cost-controlled rookie contract for five years.

So, sure, the struggles of Zach Wilson and Trey Lance are certainly scary. But if Eliot Wolf and his staff evaluate this class and believe Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels is worth a top-three pick, then they should trust their scouting and pull the trigger.

@MattyBriand
How do we feel about adding a free agent TE then maybe a 2nd tier Draft TE like Ben Sinnott

Veteran tight ends are such bargains, I would absolutely sign one of the veteran options this offseason. Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki would likely have to take pay cuts to re-sign, but Dalton Schultz, Noah Fant and Gerald Everett are potential fits who will come as a bargain compared to other offensive skill position players.

@Dan40plus
Would you support the Patriots signing Baker Mayfield (pretending TB isn’t re-signing him) and then drafting for offensive line and skill players around him?

It depends on the cost. Mayfield could wind up signing a hefty contract this offseason after he played well for the Buccaneers last season.

I will say the Patriots’ current staff certainly knows Mayfield well. Wolf was on the Browns’ staff when Mayfield was drafted. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt coached Mayfield with the Browns in 2020 and 2021, and QB coach T.C. McCartney and offensive line coach Scott Peters were on that staff, as well. Senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo and senior personnel advisor Pat Stewart were with Mayfield with the Panthers.

So, the Patriots will absolutely know if he’s a fit and worth the money.

@daltonringey
Now that the staff has been finalized, what are 3 personnel moves you think the patriots need to make this offseason, whether it be through free agency or the draft

This is very simplistic, but add talent at quarterback, wide receiver and offensive tackle. They’ll need to fill both tackle spots if Onwenu leaves, so that’s certainly a priority. But they also need to add at least one new quarterback and overhaul the wide receiver position.

@joshhanson9
How are you doing doug?

My family and I are hanging in there. We’ve got some good distractions, but our minds are always on our late daughter, Hallie.

Kyed: Remembering Hallie and covering the Patriots through unimaginable circumstances

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