Football fans love flashy objects and at no time is that more true that during Free Agency. Despite a decade-and-a-half sample size, many Patriots fans can’t help but imagine all the big name free agents possibly landing in New England. Every year the story is the same — the rest of the AFC East signs all the big names while the Pats sign from the bargain bin and… win the division.
The Super Bowl is never won in March, despite the splashy signings for huge money.
Over the years it’s become apparent the kind of free agents the Patriots target. Players who were underutilized or injured and never quite lived up to expectations. Especially those “just looking to win” and willing to take veteran minimum deals. Rarely do the Patriots go out and secure an unquestioned starter in free agency for significant money.
With that in mind here are the areas where I could see the Pats making some moves externally in free agency and some players who could fit the bill.
- Running Back: While Matt Forte would be the flashy name that gets everyone excited, the more I consider him, the more unlikely it feels that he would take the kind of low-ball offer the Pats would need to give him. That’s why Tuesday’s release of Joique Bell makes me think he’s more in line for what the Pats do, reminiscent of the Sammy Morris signing. Morris joined the team at age 30 in 2007 and gave the Pats three solid years in a number of roles, putting up 12 touchdowns. Bell is a threat both with his hard running and receiving, but go lost in the shuffle in Detroit, having a down year in 2015. He’s just the kind of buy low, high return back that could step in and compete for the early-down role against Tyler Gaffney and a rookie draft pick.
- Wide Receiver: I think Brandon LaFell returns but Danny Amendola will likely have to restructure his deal again. I’d like to add some more size and some more versatility to this group, and I think former Rutgers/Bengals receiver Mohamad Sanu makes a lot of sense. Sanu is one of those receivers who can do a lot of different things and would immediately bring an element of size to the group. Again, a guy who got lost in the shuffle a bit, but checks a lot of boxes the Pats like and should be affordable. Could see a world where Sanu is swapped into the slot for Amendola, who could also be let go.
- Middle Linebacker: Even before Jerod Mayo‘s retirement the Pats had a need at linebacker and while one should be added via the draft, they’ll shore up depth in free agency. Dane Fletcher, who never made it off PUP after an ACL tear, was basically on a one-year injury rehab contract last year. He could make sense for depth, I think he’s better than Jonathan Freeny. Externally the Pats kicked the tires on Rolando McClain last season but he ended up in Dallas and had a bad season. He’s the kind of reclamation project the Pats might like to try, especially pairing him with old Alabama teammate Dont’a Hightower. At 6’4″, he’d make for an imposing trio with Hightower and Jamie Collins. The Jets’ Demario Davis could be another interesting option.
- Cornerback: I think the best option here would be to bring back Tarrell Brown, who was looking like a starter before a lingering foot problem put him on the shelf for the year. Now he has a year in Foxboro and if his foot is fully healed he could be a good veteran presence to keep in the cornerback room. There’s plenty of young talent in this group between Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Justin Coleman, Leonard Johnson and Darryl Roberts. A vet like Brown would be the perfect way to round things out.
- Offensive Tackle: This is a position I really have no idea on. Do they just bring back LaAdrian Waddle for some depth? The Pats always sign off-the-radar offensive linemen. There are certainly plenty of available, I just don’t think it will be a splashy signing of any kind. No, offensive tackle is my top draft target right now depending on how high the Pats can get their first pick of the draft and how much tackle value is there. Again, athleticism is the key trait to add.
- Interior defensive tackle: Picking up Alan Branch’s option seems like a good value move and I think the Pats should at least take a swing at retaining Akiem Hicks as unlikely as it seems that he’ll be in their price range. If one or both of those two walks, they’ll need to look for another big body for the interior rotation. The Chargers’ Kendall Reyes was a good Patriots fit coming out of UConn but has underperformed. The return of Dominique Easley can cushion the blow of losing Hicks, but not Branch.
