Why several snaps against the Jets can earn both Trey Flowers and Joe Thuney over a million dollars each

Both Trey Flowers and Joe Thuney are few snaps away from increasing the salaries of the fourth year of their rookie deals with the Patriots. If and when they do so, they will be taking an advantage of a feature that was introduced in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement. I figure that this would be a good opportunity to explain a salary cap term while using real-life examples.

The Proven Pay Escalator can increase the fourth year salary of a player drafted in the 3rd round or later. If such a drafted player plays in at least 35 percent of the snaps in two of his first three years or his total snap percentage for the first three years is at least 35 percent his fourth-year salary will increase from the minimum to the low RFA tender for his fourth year.

The 2017 low RFA tender was $1,797,000. Every year it increases by at least five percent and no more than ten percent. Therefore, we already know that the 2018 low RFA tender will be between $1,881,000 and $1,970,000.

So far this season the Patriots defense has averaged 67.8 snaps a game. If they maintain that average for the last 11 games of the year they would then played 1,085 snaps, and 35 percent of 1,085 is 380. During the first five games of the Patriots' season, Flowers has played 331 snaps with 62 being his low snap count for a game. Since Flowers has played 331 snaps on defense so far this year he will only need to play 49 snaps against the Jets to earn the PPE. Doing so will increase Flowers' 2018 salary from $705,000 to between $1,881,000 and $1,970,000. That increase is over $1.1 million and could be as much as $1.265 million. If Flowers continues to average playing 97.6 percent of the snaps he will earn the PPE sometime during the second half of the Jets game even if the Pats defense increase their snap count average.

So far this season the Patriots offense has averaged 73.2 snaps a game. If they maintain that average for the last 11 games of the year they would then played 1,172 snaps, and 35 percent of 1,172 is 410. During the first five games of the Patriots' season, Thuney has played 366 snaps with 65 being his low snap count for a game. Since Thuney has played 366 snaps on offense so far this year he will only need to play 44 snaps against the Jets to earn the PPE. Doing so will increase Thuney's 2019 salary from $720,000 to between $1,975,000 and $2,167,000. That increase will be at least $1.255 million and could be as much as $1.447 million. If Thuney continues to average playing 100 percent of the snaps he will earn the PPE sometime during the second half of the Jets game.

Possible questions generated from this post:

Q: What about Trey Flower's draft classmate, Shaq Mason?
A: Shaq Mason by playing in more than 35% of the snaps in 2015 and in 2016 has already earned the PPE for the 2018 season.

Q: Who else on the Patriots are on pace to earn the PPE?
A: Elandon Roberts has played an average of 36.3 percent his first two seasons. Deatrich Wise has played an average of 39.4 percent during his rookie season.

Q: Is the Proven Performance Escalator guaranteed?
A: No. So a team could waive a player that has earned his PPE with no dead money.

Q: How will this affect the Patriots' 2018 salary cap?
A: Once Flowers earn his PPE, I will increase his 2018 salary from $705,000 to $1.97 million, the largest possible amount. By doing so I will lower my 2018 Patriots salary cap number by $1.265 million.

Q: Where can I read more about the Proven Performance Escalator?
A: Recommend reviewing this piece by a fellow capologist Ian Whetstone

Q: When can Flowers and Thuney be extended?
A: After the 2017 and 2018 regular seasons, respectively

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