A week on from an explosive beginning to the Patriots off-season shopping spree, and, in case you hadn’t heard, they’re not done yet.
As free agency rolls along, punters across the US are keeping a close eye on new deals and signings and the impact they may have on the upcoming NFL season and team odds. Those who are interested in the NFL and are wanting to place a bet ahead of the season can look on which sportsbooks are available on greatlakesstakes.com.
So, who are the new players in Foxborough?
Acquisitions
TE Jonnu Smith
The first name that broke through on tamper-Monday was Smith, but, little did we know he wouldn’t be the only TE through the door in FA. He arrives in New England on the back of his career-best season with the Titans. In 2020, he had 41 catches for 481 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Loved this move when it was announced, still love it now. I was secretly hoping that Kyle Pitts may land on the team’s lap on night one of the Draft, but now, consider me happy with the TE position. Smith brings a big red zone threat, something which has previously hindered the Pats offensive drives since Gronk left.
Given his versatility, could see him being used in a number of ways
TE Hunter Henry
Interested in him at the 2016 Draft, tried to sign him last year in free agency, and finally, Bill has Hunter Henry in a Patriots jersey.
I love the move, with my only concern being his ability to stay healthy. He is looking forward to beginning his sixth season in the NFL, but only the fifth season he will compete in, after missing the 2018 campaign due to a torn ACL in pre-season OTA’s.
Now, this isn’t a grave concern by any means, Gronk played through various injuries during his time in New England and was still able to be highly productive. My hope for Henry this season is for him to be able to see out a full season without missing a game, something which has alluded him so far in his career.
WR Nelson Agholor
Not really too sure how I feel about this one, known previously for being a receiver who drops the ball a bunch, but then improved his game and comes into New England on the back of the best season so far in his career.
I feel the team has overpaid and there were better options for the value out there, but, it was a position of need, and the team brings in a proven playmaker.
WR Kendrick Bourne
An interesting addition is Bourne, a former UDFA who was one of Jimmy Garrapolo’s targets in San Francisco.
Like Agholor, Bourne joins the team on the back of his most productive season in football, again, like Agholor, he’s not a number one option, but, an upgrade at the position who’s still only 25.
DT Davon Godchaux
The Pats run defense last season was awful, and with Lawrence Guy not yet re-signed, the arrival of Davon Godchaux is encouraging. Godchaux is a big unit with experience in Miami of causing disruption at the line against the run, so, a no-brainer to try and help combat the issues the team faced last season.
He’s started 42/52 NFL games at nose tackle for the Dolphins but only managed five games last season due to a bicep injury that required surgery.
Here’s Godchaux causing problems for the Pats back in 2019:
DL Henry Anderson
A former third-rounder whose career started in Indy and then made its way to New England via a two-year stint with the NY Jets.
Anderson is a perfect fit for the Patriots and I can’t wait to see him slot in this season, he brings a big run-stopping presence to the defensive front. In a conference call last week, he spoke of his first interaction with the team, prior to being drafted back in 2015.
“We had a Patriots personnel guy running our drills at pro day and I about passed out on the field I was so tired. …. That was was one of the more exhausted I’ve ever been in my life,” Anderson said. “They put us through the ringer.”
LB/ST LaRoy Reynolds
Don’t know a whole bunch about Reynolds, but it wouldn’t be an off-season without the team adding another quality special teams player. Reynolds comes in ahead of his ninth season in the league, having played 122 games since he joined the Jags in 2013 as an UDFA.
DB Cody Davis
Pleased with the return of Davis, he had a highlight moment of blocking a field goal last season against the Chargers and was a solid special teamer. Returns on a new two-year deal.
LB Matt Judon
The arrival of Judon is exciting, my first thought was about him and Hightower’s potential partnership on the field. Ravens tagged him for a reason last year, and he brings an immediate boost to the linebacker room. – The only downside is that the incoming year 2 prospects in Anfernee Jennings and Josh Uche might see playing time cut as a result of Judon’s arrival.
OL Ted Karras
Teddy K returns for his second stint with the team on a 1-year deal from Miami. Originally, Karras’ signing made me feel that David Andrews could be heading elsewhere, but that turned out not to be true.
Karras will now be the main backup center behind Andrews, who can also step in at guard if needed. Remember, Karras has played two full seasons as starting C in the NFL, he only makes the line depth stronger.
DB Jalen Mills
Originally a signing I questioned a little before the news of Patrick Chung’s retirement, but now it makes a lot more sense. Mills arrives with one keyword following him, versatility. I really like this addition, from watching Mills’ tape, he comes across as a Swiss army knife that’s capable of playing multiple roles on defense.
During his time in Philadelphia, Mills played all over the backfield and seems to be a perfect game-plan DB for the team. With Chung now out of the picture, Mills will have an opportunity to slide into an already stacked backfield that still has some movement scheduled yet, as the question continues to linger around Gilmore’s future.
LB Kyle Van Noy
Van Noy’s return was rumored to be on the cards ever since his release was first made known from Miami a few weeks ago. A solid NFL player who left the team a year ago to go and get paid in free agency.
I hope the boogeymen tour doesn’t start up again and KVN can hold down his sometimes questionable attitude which really spoils the solid work he does on the field, if he can do that, I have no issues with him returning, he only makes the LB room stronger.
DL Montravius Adams
Don’t see Adams being a lock for a roster spot, spent his time in Green Bay as a rotational option, only starting 3/45 games in his first four seasons in the league, be one to look out for in camp.
LB Raekwon McMillan
I was surprised by how many additions were made to address the LB position in the last few weeks. McMillan has some good special teams experience under his belt from his time in Miami and Las Vegas.
A great in-depth review on McMillan is worth a read over on PatsPulpit.
Re-Signed
C David Andrews
Following the news of the huge Joe Thuney deal with Kansas, it was nail-biting times whilst I waited to hear where Andrews would be going. Originally, Miami was the expectation, but, in the end, he was happy in New England and never wanted to leave.
The Patriots retain one of their most respected and reliable players, and the offensive line is even more formidable with Andrews at the helm, I’m thrilled he’s sticking around.
RB James White
An unimaginable year for James White following the loss of his father mid-way through last season left me really pondering if he had played his final game in a Pats jersey. He was rumored to be talking with Tampa Bay, but, in the end, he chose to re-sign on a one-year deal.
I think the team may still try and add another RB for camp in some form, but I think White can still be a valuable pass-catching weapon, especially if Burkhead doesn’t return following his ACL tear.
DT Lawrence Guy
I did think Guy would return, and along with the other signings made along the defensive line, I’m delighted he’s back. Felt at times he was trying to stop the weekly rushing onslaught the team suffered all by himself, now he has extra support.
FB Jakob Johnson
A fairy tale NFL story continues for Jakob Johnson who was retained by the team on a new one-year deal.
Since taking over the FB reigns from James Develin, Johnson has progressed well in front of our eyes, as well as managing to stay healthy and play all 16 games last season. With FB Danny Vitale expected to return from his opt-out year, Johnson’s stay isn’t guaranteed, but he’s the favorite to lead the position through camp.
K Nick Folk
Rohrwasser is out, Folk is in. No problem with this, and in all honesty, Folk has earned it. Following his solid second half of last season, he re-signs a one-year deal and is currently set to be the team’s placekicker for the 2021 season.
DE Deatrich Wise Jr
Bit unsure with this one, I had Wise down to leave in my predicted FA tracker, but, I can’t say his commitment to the team on a new four-year deal will help, think I can talk myself round on this one.
[…] Read More […]