As the fallout from Aqib Talib signing in Denver settles, the Pats are regrouping in Foxboro by hosting a number of free agents that all fit their traditional free agency modus operandi – mid-range vets who shouldn’t break the bank and might blossom in an environment like New England.
The list:
- Matt Shaughnessy, DE/OLB
- Shelley Smith, OL
- Wesley Woodyard, LB
- Brandon Lafell, WR
- Phil Costa, OL
All of these players are in-line with the needs the Pats have to shore up in free agency. Shaunghnessy is a potential rotational third defensive end in the Rob Ninkovich mold who can help take some of the heat off of Ninkovich and Chandler Jones. He is an Andre Carter upgrade.
Smith and Costa are experienced interior linemen who would provide depth and competition at the center and guard spots. Those are big needs and were areas of weakness for the Pats this past season.
Lafell has good size and has been trending upward in four seasons in Carolina. His ceiling and floor could be anywhere from starting to camp fodder, but he’ll be given a fair chance to compete.
Woodyard was a captain and is smaller than the Pats have traditionally wanted from their linebackers. He has upside and can play in space and would bring a new element to the Patriots linebacking corps. He is a Dane Fletcher upgrade, at least on the defense but not special teams.
This is how the Patriots operate. They fill their holes with veteran free agents that don’t break the bank. Sometimes those guys end up being Rob Ninkovich or Mike Vrabel. Other times they don’t make it out of camp.
But it’s all part of the process of eliminating needs before the draft and building a roster that is solid from top-to-bottom.
And who knows, there might even be a splash move or two coming later today.
