james develin

We’re still a couple weeks away from the start of the new NFL year on March 9th and with it the start of free agency. With that the Pats’ plans for 2016 will start to come into clearer view, but I continue to believe that the major moves will be done on internal free agents and not splashy external ones. Here’s what I see as the Patriots Free Agency plan for the next month.

If there was a position to spend a little bit extra money I’d put it at the running back spot and that’s the only reason I won’t cross Matt Forte off my list of targets.

Here are the priorities:Extend Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins: Can they both get done together? Both are entering the last years of their deals and should both get significant money. Hightower is the lock because an extension for him would lower his $7.75 million cap hit. Collins is still a bargain and that could be the only thing preventing him from getting extended sooner than later.

Internal Unrestricted Free Agent Priorities:

1. Akiem Hicks: Pats have expressed interest in bringing him back. What happens with him could directly affect whether or not the Pats pick up Alan Branch‘s option. Branch had a very good season in 2015, but I’d advocate Hicks over him.
2. Tarrell Brown: Really think the Pats only need one veteran corner and Brown looked poised to start last season but had a lingering foot issue. If that’s cleared up he’s had a year in the system and would be good to keep around.
3. Nate Ebner: Special teams demons are valued on the Patriots far more than other teams. Ebner should be an easy signing and they don’t want to let both him and Tavon Wilson go. Wilson walks. Ebner stays.
4. Dane Fletcher: He spent his year back with the Pats rehabbing a torn ACL and never made if off IR. He’d be a cheap signing at a position of need. Not sure he’s ready for significant snaps anymore, but did a good job filling in at Mike in his first stint. Special teams value too.

Let walk: LeGarrette Blount, Tavon Wilson, Steven Jackson, Dekoda Watson, Brandon Gibson.

Restricted/Exclusive Rights Free Agent Priorities:

1. James Develin: Pats missed their fullback last year. Might be better to extend him than tender him, as it would be more cost effective.
2. Cameron Fleming: Hoped for more out of him in 2015, but provides depth at an area of uncertainty.
3. Justin Coleman: Really solid rookie season in the slot and was very good in the playoffs.
4. Sealver Siliga: Bit of a down year in 2015, but still has good size and had his moments. Fits the rotation well at DT.
5. Brandon King: Second in the NFL in solo special teams tackles.
6. Rufus Johnson: Preseason standout at defensive end, could be a developmental piece with Chandler/Ninkovich nearing uncertainty.

Other RFA/ERFA: Brian Tyms, LaAdrian Waddle, Josh Boyce, Kevin Hughes (all very likely return)

External Free Agents to consider:

1. Matt Forte – finding a deal that works is key here, but Forte could take an early-down role, sprinkled in with some passing down work. Pats offer a winning organization and a chance to take some wear and tear off via a rotation.
2. Alfred Morris – Morris is a good mid-range option for the early-down role.
3. Joique Bell – Bell is the cheap option, but he’s always seemed like a Pats back to me and almost signed with the team coming out. He might be the best match of value and style, but Pats would still need to address RB in the draft.
4. Mohamed Sanu – Yes, he’s a Rutgers guy but could give the Pats more size in the slot than Danny Amendola. He also has run the Wildcat and can do a number of things.
5. Kendall Reyes – Good fit coming out of UConn who never found his stride in San Diego. Reclamation project if Hicks doesn’t stick around.
6. Randy Starks – Pats have had a plenty of Starks over the years, good versatile fit upfront who’d fit into the Alan Branch role.
7. Rolando McClain – Kicked the tires on him last year, but he went with Dallas. Still seems like a good MLB fit, but the ship might’ve sailed.
8. Stephen Tulloch – BB’s had good success with vet LBs at the end of the line. Tulloch has enough in the tank left to be a sub player at MLB, primarily to make run game tackles. If money could be figured out he might relish a shot at a ring after a career with the Titans and Lions.