Got a couple about the vaunted 95/91/54 trio in the inbox this morning so let’s tackle that one first. You are correct, but the good news is that the free agent class this year has no real high-price guys. Here are some of the top free agents this offseason the Pats would need to re-sign.
1. Josh Kline – arguably the most improved player on the roster this season, he’s followed a familiar path of developing with the team for a few seasons before settling in as a starter. Still, with rookies Mason and Jackson, Kline isn’t a critical priority, but he’d round out a nice young trio with those two.
2. LeGarrette Blount – again, not a MUST RE-SIGN, but the Pats know how to maximize him. He would be replaceable if he walked.
3. Sealver Siliga – had his best game of the season last week, needs to keep building on that game. Either way, he’s affordable.
4. Nate Ebner – standout special teamer, affordable.
5. James Develin – again, affordable and after an IR season will be motivated to stay in NE.
6. Justin Coleman – just might be my biggest priority here. He’s been very solid as a rookie CB and fits the mold.
Other notables – Tarrell Brown, Tavon Wilson, Bryan Tyms, Rufus Johnson, Dae Fletcher.
Okay, you get the point. None of these guys is an “oh no what happens if we can’t keep that guy” type player. So for that reason I do think it’s possible that at least one of the 95/91/54 group gets extended before the 2016 season.
For me Collins and Hightower are the priorities. They’re two of the best linebackers in the game and we know how BB loves linebackers and what they mean to his defense. They fit perfectly in today’s NFL.
If Chandler were to walk, and remember he has another entire season, the Pats drafted a potential replacement already in Tre Flowers. And they still have two more drafts to add another edge guy. RDE is a very hard position to find, so I still think they know they have Chandler in house, it makes sense to keep him.
The most interesting thing is that I’ve been writing this week that I feel like Chandler is the key to winning another Super Bowl. A dominant RDE has that kind of impact. But if Chandler does find consistent dominance and does help deliver another Super Bowl does that put him out of the Pats’ price range? Possibly.
Still, I think they have the cap space to retain all three and really, what else is there to spend your money on than the front seven? Lock up those three guys with McCourty/Brown/Easley and this defense has the right talent at all the right spots for at least another five years.