With the yearly Draft hype underway, I thought it would be a good time to have a rundown of each of the team’s 25 free agents, and give my take on who should stay and who should go.
Future free agency and Draft content is on the way (including big boards and mock drafts), so keep an eye out!
LB Shilique Calhoun (UFA) – Leave
Think the team can find better options than Calhoun moving forward, along with continuing to rebuild the Linebacker group. I don’t think he should return.
WR Damiere Byrd (UFA) – Stay
Byrd had a solid year as he assumed the WR2 position, I didn’t expect him to play in that role when he signed a one-year deal last offseason. I can’t imagine Byrd will cost much more than what we signed him for previously, I’d take him back on another one-year deal.
DT Adam Butler (UFA) – Stay
Butler had ups and downs through-out the 2020 season, but, he was the team’s best pass rusher. If the Pats can agree on a new deal, I would like him to return and continue developing, think he has a bright future.
RB Rex Burkhead (UFA) – Stay
Before his fruitful season was cut short due to a knee-injury, Burkhead was one of Cam Newton’s best weapons. Before the injury, I thought he would leave and finish his career with a final payday elsewhere, but now, I think there’s a great possibility he returns, and I’m all for it.
S Terrence Brooks (UFA) – Leave
Following Patrick Chung’s confirmation that he will return for the 2021 season and the emergence of Kyle Dugger, I feel Brooks will be surplus to requirements moving forward.
CB Justin Bethel (UFA) – Stay
Special teams have excelled this season whilst other areas on the field struggled. Justin Bethel is a fine complementary piece along with Matthew Slater as the team’s elite tandem pairing. With Slater’s future still undecided, the Pats should look to bring back Bethel for another year or two.
G Joe Thuney (UFA) – Leave
Before the start of this season, I wrote about why I thought it was important to re-sign Joe Thuney this offseason, but, I think I’ve now changed my mind. The team has seen young talent emerge within the O-line and I don’t feel they can justify making Thuney the highest-paid Guard in the league. A brilliant Patriot, destined for a huge payday elsewhere.
C David Andrews (UFA) – Stay
Andrews returned this season to show that he’s still one of the most respected leaders on and off the field. Unlike Joe Thuney, who I think the team should let walk, the Pats should prioritize re-signing David Andrews to a multi-year deal.
Whilst the passing game may be in flux for a while until the QB/WR situation is settled, keeping a strong offensive front to allow the run game to flourish is vital. Although he missed some games through injury during the season, when he did play, he showed he didn’t miss a beat whilst assuming his role as starting Center.
LB Brandon Copeland (UFA) – Stay
Was playing well before he had to take a trip to IR with a torn pectoral muscle in Week 7. I think he’ll be cheap and will offer depth in the Linebacker group, happy for Copeland to stay.
DT Carl Davis (UFA) – Leave
Davis struggled with various ailments and didn’t really get a chance to make an impact for the Patriots. He may have a chance to return for camp, but, I think the team should look elsewhere for support at the position.
S Cody Davis (UFA) – Stay
Not on the same level as Slater or Bethel, but Davis showed that he can be a core special teamer for the Pats. One highlight was his field goal block against the Chargers in Week 13 which led to a touchdown. He’ll be another cheap additional, so from what I’ve seen, I’d be happy for him to return.
T Jermaine Eluemunor (UFA) – Leave
With the opt-out of Marcus Cannon, Eluemunor was originally selected as the starting Left Tackle, but following a few injures, his playtime was impacted. Elumunor wasn’t horrific by any means, I just feel the rookies Justin Herron and Michael Onwenu have shown they can contribute to the position. Not a dead cert he leaves, and could make an appearance at camp.
C James Ferentz (UFA) -Stay
Although Andrews has been the go-to Center for the Patriots, Ferentz has stepped in and done a good job in his place this season when needed. He isn’t a challenger for the starting job, but Ferentz has experience with the Pats system and will be a welcome backup if he returns, as I think he should.
K Nick Folk (UFA) – Stay
A career-year for Folk who was up there as one of the most consistent players for the Patriots. After rookie fifth-rounder Justin Rohrwasser didn’t do enough to win the job in camp, Folk took the reigns and assumed kicking duties for the season.
I think Folk should return to offer competition against Rohrwasser and Roberto Aguayo and don’t be surprised if Bill takes another kicker late in the Draft in April.
DT Lawrence Guy (UFA) – Stay
Guy made it clear that he’d be open to returning with the team, and so would I. I feel he contributed well against the run this year and sometimes flies under the radar of appreciation.
QB Brian Hoyer (UFA) – Leave
I think Hoyer’s time with the team is over. He’s had some fine years in the mentor/support role behind Brady and Newton this year, but, he no longer has anything to offer at the position.
I think this was confirmed following the Kansas City game, Hoyer didn’t dress for the remainder of the season.
CB J.C. Jackson (RFA) – Stay
With Stephon Gilmore looking more and more likely to leave in the next few months, I expect the Patriots to place a second-round tender on Jackson to secure his services for next season.
Regardless of what the team decides to do with him long-term, Jackson should be on the top of their list to secure, after all, he came away with 9 interceptions this year as the second Cornerback.
FB Jakob Johnson (ERFA) – Stay
Johnson has developed well in his first season as starting Fullback for the Patriots. The gap left by James Develin’s retirement wasn’t an easy spot to fill, but Johnson has played well in the run game and even secured his first NFL touchdown. – Johnson should stay, I’d even re-sign him to a multi-year deal.
G Marcus Martin (UFA) – ?
Didn’t get a chance to see him do anything after he signed in December, I can imagine him returning for Camp but I can’t offer a judgment on if I want him to stay or not.
CB Jason McCourty (UFA) – Leave
I Felt Jmac has regressed this season and that the team would be better finding younger talent to fill his position on the roster. Many felt that if Jason left then perhaps Devin may follow, I don’t feel that’s the case, especially given how much money Dmac would have to walk away from.
QB Cam Newton (UFA) – Leave
I think we all know that the Cam Newton/Patriots experiment failed this season and he isn’t the future of this team. Even if we did get him on a very cheap deal this year, I want to start fresh and move on.
DE John Simon (UFA) -Stay
I went back and forth when thinking of whether I would want Simon back or not. He appeared a whole bunch on defense this year, but his play was average when looking back. He is a solid edge rusher and I do feel he can continue to offer something for the team, I think he’ll return.
-Quick note- comparing Simon and Wise, I feel Simon is better when stopping the run, so he gets the edge on a new deal.
CB Dee Virgin (RFA) – ?
Virgin signed in the final week of the Patriots season and like Marcus Martin, I haven’t seen enough of him to say if I want him back or not. But my gut says Bill will bring him into camp for further evaluation.
RB James White (UFA) – Stay
With the RB room already stacked, you may think it’s crazy that I want both Burkhead and James White to return. White didn’t have the same sort of production we’re used to seeing and he also tragically lost his father midway through the season in a car accident.
I just don’t feel his time with the team is done, and I’d love to see him retire as a Patriot, he’s a special player.
DE Deatrich Wise (UFA) – Leave
Wise featured a bunch this season but wasn’t overly impressive. ow don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t terrible, but he didn’t have the star power that the team has been craving for at the edge rush position.
I decided to keep Simon as I feel he’s better against the run, so, unfortunately, Wise will be free to look elsewhere.