Even the cap-rich Patriots could use a little more relief.
Being the innovative organization that they are, the New England Patriots pinched their pennies more drastically than usual last offseason so that they’d be one of a few teams in position to take advantage of the inevitable pandemic-induced salary cap crunch.
Anyone who considers that a diabolical approach is justified in doing so, but what can’t be denied is that it worked.
After all, the Patriots are currently projected to have the fourth-most cap space in the league at $68.66 million, which should give them more than enough leeway to make at least a handful of impactful additions.
The main objective of the front office should be getting the Patriots back into the playoffs by any means necessary and that could result in some foundational pieces getting unloaded in the name of preserving even more cap space — such moves could prove to be the difference maker in trying to fend off another team for a free agent’s signature.
That got us thinking. Given the current state of the roster, who could the Patriots consider trading to give them as much financial flexibility as humanly possible ahead of their most important offseason in several years? Here are three names to keep in mind as we inch closer to the start of the new league year.
The Patriots should trade these three players to create more cap space.
3. Devin McCourty
Don’t look now, but the Patriots could part ways with both McCourty twins this offseason when all is said and done. Not only do we consider Devin as a potential trade chip, but Jason is set to hit free agency after his contract expired.
That certainly wouldn’t be an ideal scenario, as the McCourtys are leaders in the locker room and pillars as far as carrying out the team’s culture is concerned. However, the betterment of the Patriots always comes first, and assuming the front office still operates with that mindset, they would seriously consider trading the two-time Pro Bowler before his value vanishes entirely.
It might be the end of the road for Devin McCourty in a Patriots uniform.
McCourty has provided stability at the back end of the Patriots’ secondary for over a decade, but they can afford to deal him with Patrick Chung getting set to re-enter the fold after he opted out of last season. On top of that, 2020 second-rounder Kyle Dugger enjoyed a promising rookie year and veteran Adrian Phillips is fresh off starting all 16 games at safety.
With the safety position in good hands, the financial aspect of trading McCourty should really make it a no-brainer, as it would free up approximately $2.5 million in cap space. Getting the former first-round pick’s $11.15 million cap hit, which ranks third on the team, off the books would give New England even more leverage in free agent negotiations.
Fans would obviously hate to see McCourty go, and trading him would be a barbarous way for his Patriots tenure to end, but a veteran of his stature and awareness has to at least have it in the back of his mind that it could become a reality.
2. N’Keal Harry
We really did our best to give N’Keal Harry the benefit of the doubt over his first two seasons in the league, but that fishing expedition is over after the lack of progress the 2019 first-round pick showed in his development this past campaign.
Lucky enough to be in a position to establish himself as the Patriots’ No. 1 wide receiver of the future, Harry was maddeningly inconsistent.
Across 14 games, he logged a 58% snap share and totaled 33 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns. To put those numbers into perspective, he logged just one game over 50 receiving yards and an impossible eight contests with less than 22 receiving yards.
Patriots wideout N’Keal Harry would be better off finding a new NFL home.
Whether it’s a matter of Harry struggling to come to grips with the playbook or an inability to create separation against defensive backs, it isn’t worth losing sleep over anymore. The bottom line is that a divorce is in the best interest of both parties and if it means the Patriots could slash a salary that can be allocated to the free agency fund, then they simply have to do it.
All the Patriots have to do is swallow their pride and accept that Harry wouldn’t go for anything more than a mid-round draft pick after he was taken with the final pick of the first round just two years ago. Assuming they’re able to do that, they should no doubt receive some offers for Harry.
Despite leaving a lot to be desired over the last two seasons, he’s still incredibly young (23) and has the physical attributes (size, speed, hands, etc.) you would want in a receiver. We know there’s some Harry truthers scattered throughout the fan base, but the Patriots cannot afford to continue holding out hope that he’ll eventually turn the corner.
1. Stephon Gilmore
Was there really anybody else fitting for the top spot on this list? It feels like the Patriots and cornerback Stephon Gilmore have been inching towards a split for the last calendar year now, and this offseason presents the perfect opportunity to finally make it official.
Gilmore’s contract just makes him the ideal candidate to be traded, as it would have to be restructured for the second consecutive year in order for him to be compensated like one of the best players at this position. Despite his struggles in coverage this past season — we would attribute that to his nagging injuries — the two-time All-Pro still warrants consideration as such.
The Patriots would be smart to shop star cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
The Patriots reportedly fielded offers on Gilmore last offseason, and if they did the same this time around, there would be just as many teams lined up for his services. He might be the most important player on the defense, but New England is flush with cornerback depth and dealing him would generate approximately $7.34 million (!) in cap space.
Even if the front office isn’t sold on the CB depth chart behind Gilmore, they could turn around and sign one (or two) reinforcements in free agency, or simply use one of the acquired picks in a potential deal to select one of the higher-rated prospects in the draft.
Given that it’s unlikely Gilmore plays the 2021 season under the current terms of his contract, which is slated to pay him just $7 million, do the Patriots really want to conduct the necessary financial gymnastics to make him happy?
The answer is no, and trading the 30-year-old would go a long way in terms of amending their mistake of not doing so when his contract dilemma first came to light following his Defensive Player of the Year campaign in 2019, which is ironically when his trade value peaked.
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