There is probably no one in the NFL who likes bargaining deals more than New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, and that affinity for such deals will come in handy in 2020. The Patriots have been somewhat limited for relief from the salary cap this offseason as they have been criticized. with a series of dead-end hits for the upcoming season. Fortunately for them, they have a number of players playing at extremely affordable deals, making a couple of these dead-limit shots a bit easier to swallow.
For the purposes of our little discussion here, let’s take a look at a handful of players that Belichick has been able to meet over the years and signed a very friendly deal for the 2020 season. Specifically, we’ll look at the success of the cover of Every player. What you will notice about the jump is that the players listed below are still in the midst of their first NFL contracts and were mostly late-round agents or undrafted free agents, which makes sense given that the deals for such Players don’t break the bank in the least.
All salary cap figures are courtesy of Spotrac.
1. JC Jackson, cornerback
2020 salary cap blow: $ 753,334
JC Jackson is the last un-recruited corner that Bill Belichick has been able to cultivate in New England and has helped him achieve borderline elite status. After playing his college ball in Maryland and not being selected in the 2018 draft, Jackson found a home in Foxborough and opened his eyes almost instantly. He made the 53-man roster that year and ended up starting in five games over the course of his rookie season.
The 24-year-old’s workload increased exponentially during his second year in the league, playing in 68 percent of defensive snapshots compared to only 38 percent of snapshots during his rookie campaign. With that additional playing time, Jackson rewarded the coaching staff with stellar play in high school. Out of any cornerback in the NFL last season, Jackson allowed the lowest passer rating when he hit just 37.0. That was even better than teammate and Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.
The Patriots are getting this elite play with outright steal. As Jackson approaches the last year of his rookie contract, the Patriots will pay him $ 750,000 in base salary with a maximum charge of $ 753,334 for 2020. During the life of Jackson’s first contract in the NFL, the Patriots were able to obtain a high production level for only $ 1.7 million.
As he progresses to a crucial third season in the league, Jackson could position himself for a good payday.
2. Jarrett Stidham, quarterback
2020 salary cap blow: $ 833,423
The main reason why Stidham is not an automatic No. 1 on this list is that we don’t know for sure if he will actually be the starter this season. He still has to face veteran Brian Hoyer, who also has a very cheap deal, for QB1 honors as the Pats begin the post-Tom Brady era. New England decided to make a punt by adding another quarterback in free agency or in the NFL Draft this offseason other than Hoyer, who spent the 2019 season with the Colts, which would give some indication that the club is comfortable. with Stidham possibly taking the kidneys. If you’re able to win that starting point, then it serves as a tremendously cheap option in the game’s most important position not just for next season but for years to come.
Stidham is seeking a base salary of just $ 675,000 next season with a cap of $ 833,423 after being selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He impressed during the regular season and practiced throughout the year, but the only action The regular season we saw of him was not exactly impressive, throwing a pick-six at Jamal Adams before being banked by Brady. Still, Stidham has potential.
The 23-year-old is signed during the 2022 season and his cap’s biggest hit is just $ 1.12 million in the last year of his deal, so New England is looking down the barrel for some big savings in the coming seasons. if he proves to be “the boy”.
While Stidham himself is coming out cheap, it should be noted that the Patriots are still being nailed with Tom Brady’s $ 13.5 million limit hit, so the position remains costly for New England in 2020.
3. Chase Winovich, defensive end
2020 salary cap blow: $ 930,328
Chase Winovich is in a position to see a real increase in his defense role as he heads to Year 2, especially with the departures of Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy in free agency. After not starting a single game for New England in the regular season, Winovich will have an inside track on one of the available slot machines for 2020. When he finally takes it over, he will take the next step in his career and the Patriots will get a Initial caliber player at a fraction of the cost.
Winovich is signed during the 2022 season and will only cost the Patriots $ 681,000 in base salary next season with a cap of less than a million. He only surpasses that $ 1 million mark in 2021 and 2022, but it’s pennies on the dollar for the potential output the Patriots could be getting.
Michigan’s third-round pick in 2019 was seen as a bargain at the time of his selection and showed his potential early in his rookie season. In his first five games, Winovich had four sacks and five quarterback hits. He finished with 5.5 sacks in the year and 26 total tackles.
4. Isaiah Wynn, left tackle
2020 wage cap blow: $ 3,120,519
The 2020 season will be crucial for Isaiah Wynn. First, you will have to stay healthy. The first round of 2018 missed his entire rookie season due to an Achilles tear and was then limited to just eight games during the 2019 regular season due to a toe injury. However, when he’s healthy, he ranks as the Patriots’ starting left tackle and, at the price they pay him, he’s pretty cheap.
Wynn, who is under the team’s control until 2022 if his fifth-year option is chosen, has a base salary of $ 1,520,173 next season with a cap of just over $ 3 million. That top charge ranks 28th among left tackles next season, so even if it’s average, your contract should be viewed favorably. If it lives up to its first-round billing, that’s even better.
5. Ja’Whaun Bentley, linebacker
2020 salary cap blow: $ 825,988
Like Winovich, Bentley is a candidate to see an increase in playing time in 2020 as he is considered a suitable replacement for Elandon Roberts as inside linebacker. He played in just 27 percent of defensive snapshots last season, but still had 44 tackles, which was tied for eighth on the team. Roberts’ departure gives Bentley a chance to take on a more prominent role within the New England defense after starting in just two games last season.
If he makes the jump in year 3, he’s another player New England is getting the most value out of.
The former Purdue fifth-round pick has two more years left on his rookie contract and is very cheap for the Patriots. At that time, your maximum success will not exceed $ 1 million and in 2020 you are looking for a base salary of $ 750,000. Bentley is not likely to be the anchor of the New England defense next year, but he is poised to be a valuable cog for the overall running of the unit, especially against the race. At that price, the Patriots should be delighted with what they are getting from it.
