I’ve been saying it for three years, but I’d love to see an impact defensive tackle added, preferably in the draft. Now I don’t think they have a choice. Right now this is how I would list the priorities…
- Defensive Tackle
- Guard/Center
- Coverage Linebacker
- Slot Corner
- Tight End
We’ll see on the wide receivers, but I do think Edelman has earned a contract extension, assuming he stays healthy this whole year. Talib is pretty much a must-retain in my view. Whether or not this latest injury puts him in the long-term contract range will remain to be seen. At worst, I think you have to Franchise him.
Wendell and Spikes are two of the more interesting free agents next offseason. So far, Wendell hasn’t done much to make us think he deserves a long-term deal. We’ll give him the rest of the season.
I think there’s a place for Spikes on the team. He’s a bit limited in some areas, but dominant in others. That will be an interesting situation and I think it could go either way. Spikes is just enough of a loose cannon that I have no idea what he wants. Will he chase money? Or does he like New England.
Hooman and Fletcher are up as well, I think both will likely be back.
But the way it looks right now, next offseason will be about reinforcing the middle of the defensive line. I think Chris Jones and Joe Vellano have some potential, but both are better served being rotational guys. Smith especially seems like a great Mike Wright type, and anyone who reads this blog knows how much I long for another Mike Wright type.
