Four Takeaways After Patriots’ Initial Free Agency Spending Spree

The Patriots shelled out more than a few dollars Monday.

New England reportedly reached nine agreements on the opening day of the legal tampering period, adding significant talent to a roster devoid of it. What does that mean for the future of the franchise? Let’s discuss.

We first have to take a look at the reported crop, though:

DT Milton Williams: (4 years, $104 million)
CB Carlton Davis: (3 years, $60 million)
LB Robert Spillane: (3 years, $37.5 million)
LB Harold Landry: (3 years, $43.5 million)
DT Khyiris Tonga: (1 year, $2.7 million)
OL Morgan Moses: (3 years, $24 million)
TE Austin Hooper: (1 year, $5 million)
QB Josh Dobbs: (2 years, $8 million)
WR Mack Hollins: (2 years, $8.4 million)

“HEY, I KNOW THAT GUY!”

New England can’t get enough of players who are already familiar with its coaching staff, as Mike Vrabel, Josh McDaniels, Terrell Williams and Todd Downing have coached nearly all of the players listed above.

Tonga and Milton Williams are the only two who don’t have experience working with that group, though they both fit the expected system that will be run by Terrell Williams. The Patriots didn’t just spend willy-nilly, though. They brought in players they’re comfortable with. We will see if that was the right way of going about things.

PREPARING FOR THE INEVITABLE

Milton Williams’ reported deal came with some interesting details.

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported that total cash payments would exceed $55 million before the second year of the contract begins — with the majority being paid out in per-game, signing and workout bonuses. The Patriots did that on purpose, front-loading the amount of cash they’re spending to keep their options available in a couple of seasons when Christian Gonzalez and Drake Maye are expected to be due contract extensions.

NEEDS REMAIN

New England reportedly added an offensive tackle and a wide receiver but still didn’t address its biggest needs. We have an idea of how the club can do that moving forward, but for now, those spots (left tackle and high-end wide receiver) remain untouched.

DID THEY MOVE TO FAST?

The Patriots went kinda crazy with the guaranteed money Monday, shelling out roughly $162 million in total guarantees via agreements.

We knew they’d spend, but in moving that quickly it seems as though they missed out on potential deals. Spillane received a maximum value of $37.5 million, which actually turned out to be more than what Dre Greenlaw landed from the Denver Broncos. How much could waiting a few hours have hurt?