In recent days numerous NFL teams have begun to release players to begin saving against the tight Salary Cap this season ahead of the start of Free Agency. Some big names have crossed the transaction wire and with the Patriots holding a bounty of salary cap space this off season a few could find themselves on the Patriots roster next season. Let’s take a look at some potential fits.
Kyle Van Noy – LB
The former Patriot was informed earlier this week that he would be released and there was immediate speculation about a potential return to Foxboro. While I think this is a likely scenario given our need at the position it must come at a reasonable price. The Patriots passed on paying him an inflated price tag once and I believe they would pass again if the price was not right. A veteran deal coming in at around $8 million per year would benefit both sides. A part of Van Noy’s game that developed late during his stint in Foxboro was his ability to play in coverage. This is an aspect that the Patriots defense desperately needs to improve upon. Keep an eye out for a potential reunion.
Golden Tate & Adam Humphries – WR
Both Wide Receivers were released by their respective teams this week in a Salary Cap savings campaign. However, both spit in the face of the Patriots during prior free agencies at a time when they would have had the opportunity to play with TB12 at QB. I do not envision the Patriots uncertainty at the Quarterback position helping their cause with these two and they are each that much older from when we initially tried to have them come aboard. I think that both of these Wide Outs are unlikely signings unless Edelman is unable to play this season and we push for Humphries to fill his role.
Nick Martin – C
An under the radar potential signing here. Nick Martin brings experience to the table and would be a solid replacement if the Patriots are unable to sign David Andrew. However, I believe that Andrews is extremely high up on their offseason priority list and expect him to be the Patriot’s starter at center next season. Martin was released by the Texans in an effort to rebuild the franchise, but he has plenty of game left.
Henry Anderson – DE
Anderson has a Patriots signing written all over him. The kind of high effort player that the Patriots could sign on a value deal. The big bodied Defensive End can line up at multiple spots on the defensive line and is great at defending the run. The type of DE that the Patriots lacked in 2020. Anderson seems to have had a disappointing NFL career thus far after being a third-round pick, but I am not sure teams are using him correctly. Bill would love to have Anderson helping to set the Patriots edge and draws playstyle comparisons to that of Margus Hunt or Sam Hubbard.
Duke Johnson – RB
The Running Back market is going to be extremely flooded with high priced names this free agency period. Duke Johnson could offer a low-cost alternative as a running back that could come off the bench behind Sony and Harris. Don’t expect him to get starting carries and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him inactive for numerous games throughout the season, but the type of veteran insurance policy that the Patriots are known for nonetheless. Worst case he is brought in and released during cutdown week.
Christian Kirksey – LB
Kirksey was released by the Packers after a disappointing season where he lost his defensive role and saw his snap count plummet. Given our need at the position this has the feel of a Patriots reclamation project. Kirksey is still looking to rebound from his injury riddled 2018 and 2019 seasons with Cleveland. Initially it was thought that Green Bay would be the place to reestablish his career, but Foxboro may be a better landing spot. My biggest concern with Kirksey would be that he would need to be okay with having a role on the defense and not being an every down LB. Some veterans are okay with that role and others still want to chase the playing time of being an every down LB. This may even work to his advantage as he will only be asked to do a few of his strengths instead of multiple functions that Linebackers need to do. If Kirksey can bypass that then I think he has impact potential on the Patriots defense.
Kyle Rudolph – TE
I would love to see Rudolph suit up in a Patriots jersey next season. He would bring a veteran and play making ability to the position that we have not seen the last two seasons since Gronk retired. There is also the intangible aspect of helping to coach up the younger guys in Dalton Keene and Devin Asiasi. While there are some intriguing Tight End prospects in this year’s draft, I don’t see the Patriots spending a Day 1 or Day 2 pick on any of them considering the draft capital that we invested in the position last year. This is a position on the field that often takes time to develop and I don’t foresee any of the prospects aside from Pitts coming in and making the type of impact that we need right away. A better route would be to continue developing Keene and Asiasi while bringing in help in the form of Rudolph. A side note is I do believe the Patriots would take a Day 3 flyer on Miami tight end Brevin Jordan or Ole Miss tight end Kenny Yeboah if they fell. Yeboah will almost surely be there late in the draft.