PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

2014 free agency

5 Big Splashes Patriots Could Realistically Make in Free Agency

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5 Big Splashes Patriots Could Realistically Make in Free Agency

Don’t get your hopes up on all these guys, I think Chandler might be the most likely. But can the Pats open enough cap space to make any of the others realistic? Tough to say. Johnson likely will be too expensive.

If Henry Melton could be had on the cheap I’d be all for that one. Just don’t see the infatuation with Emmanuel Sanders a lot of people have, either.

Ranking the Patriots’ free agents – Extra Points – Boston.com

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Ranking the Patriots’ free agents – Extra Points – Boston.com

Good list from Zuri Berry, though my version would look a bit different. Agree on Talib being the number one priority, after that I’d put Edelman over Blount and Wendell.

My full version:

1. Aqib Talib – after seeing what the Patriots’ defense looked like without him in the AFCCG how is there any argument?

2. Julian Edelman – be nice to have him back, and certainly his punt return skills are icing on the cake. But I don’t think the Pats are dead in the water if he walks.

3. LeGarrette Blount – Not sure he’s the guy we saw in breaking records in Week 17 and in the AFCDG, but he just kept getting better all season long.

4. Ryan Wendell – like Edelman, I’d like to have him back on a team-friendly deal but if he walks, he’s replaceable.

5. Michael Hoomanawanui – Not hoping to see a lot of the Hooman next year, but when you have no healthy tight ends signed for next year you need some kind of continuity.

6. Matthew Mulligan – same as above. Both are upgradeable and could maybe even be beaten out by rookies or a free agent like Scott Chandler.

7. Dane Fletcher – always liked Fletch but I think his playing time eve with all the injuries last year proved that the Pats don’t see him as ever being a legitimate part of the linebacker rotation outside of maybe playing some sub packages, but with Mayo back and Collins it’s doubtful he’d see any more time outside of special teams.

8. Brandon Spikes – I thought Spikes should be brought back well into this season and even was willing to overlook that he wasn’t ever going to be a legit three-down LB. After more and more reports of Spikes’ weirdness and off-field stuff came to light it just seems like it might be time to move on. Hightower looks ready to take over Spikes’ role at MLB.

9. Danny Aiken – restricted free agent, he’ll likely be back.

10. Will Svitek – Cannon should be the swing tackle, but if Wendell walks and Connolly moves to center Cannon could be headed to guard. That opens up the swing job and Svitek would be the next-best option.

11. Austin Collie – If Edelman doesn’t return Collie would make sense. He showed up a couple times in some clutch situations, but never got consistent reps. Edelman’s departure could change that.

12. Andre Carter – loved Carter, but upgrading him should be one of the primary goals of the offseason.

Ranking the Patriots 11 Pre-Free Agency Needs

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Below are the specific team needs for the Pats as I see them before free agency. This is more a list of needs than wants, hence positions like center and are listed over positions like wide receiver and corner where players like Edelman and Talib are the main focuses.

Here’s our Pre-Free Agency Depth Chart for reference.

  1. Center – Wendell could be back, but could he be upgraded? Or maybe Connolly goes back to center after spending two years at guard. This will be figured out before the draft. Big spender: Alex Mack. Don’t count on that. 
  2. Y-Tight End – No tight end on roster but Gronk. And Gronk hurt. How about Scott Chandler from Buffalo? We can save the move tight end for later. Need to solidify the position with a Dan Graham-type, and then whatever Gronk comes back with (and whenever), is a bonus. Or do they bring back Hooman and Mulligan and count on Gronk again? Risky…
  3. Defensive Tackle – This could be a top-3 need or a bottom-3 need depending on Wilfork, Armstead and Kelly’s recovery. I wanted Randy Starks last season, I’d take him this offseason too. Or how about a flyer on Henry Melton? One veteran free agent would do the trick I think, but there are so many unknowns at this point. Melton or Starks would really be perfect. Or even Arthur Jones. Has to be tempting to play with his brobeans.
  4. Cornerback – Talib is a difference maker, the Pats need him to play press man. Maybe Brent Grimes would be a nice fallback option, he had  a great year in Miami. But if Talib’s presence proved anything the last two years, it’s that the Pats are a different team with a corner they trust to handle the number one threat. The injuries are slightly concerning, he really needs to work on his hip problems, they keep popping up. But I’d take him back, injuries and all. He has to put together a healthy season at some point, right?
  5. Defensive End – Third swing guy/designated pass rusher. Free agent to compete with Buchanan/Bequette. Someone in the Mark Anderson mold. Ideally Buchanan develops, that’s most cost-effective. Free agent defensive ends tend to be overpriced, but the Pats always take a flyer on someone like Marcus Benard and Anderson, guys who might’ve gotten derailed by injuries and are looking to bounce back on the cheap.
  6. Middle Linebacker – I like moving Hightower to MLB now, Fletcher could be back to provide depth, but I’d love to see another WILL added in the 6’2", 240 range who can run. Just have to be careful not to totally abandon all run-stoppers. I think Spikes is gone after believing he had a chance to return for most of the year.
  7. Wide Receiver – Everyone wants Edelman back, but they have 10 WRs under contract already and could survive without him. Although someone like Eric Decker would really compliment Amendola, Dobson and Thompkins well. So hard to imagine them paying Edelman after paying Amendola. Tough spot for the Pats.
  8. Running Back – Blount would round out the squad, but they need Ridley insurance regardless. If they don’t bring back Blount (which I think they will) could see a 3rd or 4th rounder here.
  9. F-Tight End – Pats never had a chance to replace Hernandez, could they target a “move” TE in the draft now? This is more of a luxury position as I see it. Getting a three-down Y is the priority and if there’s a Hernandez type in the draft go for it. Doubt we see a free agency move on a guy like this, they’re rare.
  10. Quarterback – finding a Brady replacement starts this offseason. I’d prefer the draft but with rumors the Texans now might be interested in Mallett (god bless them) they might want a vet in town sooner than later.
  11. Swing Tackle – depth was tested this year with injuries to Solder/Vollmer/Cannon at various times. Svitek could re-sign and then they’re good.