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Patriots: 3 potential cap casualties that could get dumped to increase spending

By Thomas Carannante

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 06: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by his teammates Josh Gordon #10, Ryan Izzo #85 and Matt LaCosse #83 after scoring a first quarter touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the game at FedExField on October 06, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 06: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by his teammates Josh Gordon #10, Ryan Izzo #85 and Matt LaCosse #83 after scoring a first quarter touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the game at FedExField on October 06, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Matt LaCosse #83 of the New England Patriots (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

2. Matt LaCosse

The Patriots will likely add a starting caliber TE, which hurts Matt LaCosse.

When we look at another position of surplus, the tight ends room is nowhere close to the level of talent as the RBs, but there’s no chance the Patriots will carry four lackluster TEs heading into 2021. Yes, part of this is Belichick’s fault for drafting two in the third round last year (Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene), but they won’t be given up on so easily. Ryan Izzo also isn’t great, but he’s only making $800K.

Considering the Patriots will likely make an addition of the starting-caliber variety in this department, it might be Matt LaCosse who will be on the outside looking in. Another 2020 opt out, LaCosse is set to make nearly $1.5 million in 2021, but has a dead cap number of just $150K. The Pats can save $1.3 million by cutting him loose, especially since the 28-year-old only spent 2019 with the team.

In Tom Brady’s final year, he hauled in 13 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown. That’s not going to convince Belichick to keep him around regardless of how bad this unit was with Cam Newton in 2020. Either give the younger guys a shot or spend money on a starter, but don’t pay four clear backup/third-string options.

If LaCosse had played last year, we might be having a different conversation, but now the Patriots are in a precarious situation with zero time to waste.

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