Patriots Make Some Familiar Signings

2019 didn’t see the Patriots shock everyone and make an early splashy deal like they did with Adalius Thomas and Stephon Gilmore. Those years are exceedingly rare.

Instead, they did what they’ve usually done, let the big money fall, take care of their own guys first, and wait to pounce on the external value guys looking for a chance to be part of the magic.

After making the trade for Michael Bennett, the Patriots were quiet early in the week, before starting to re-sign and bring back their own players.

Here’s a quick rundown on the signings of Brandon Bolden, Jason McCourty, John Simon and Phillip Dorsett.

Jason McCourty

McCourty made a potential Super Bowl-saving play and makes a lot of sense to return even if J.C. Jackson is likely the every-down starter across from Stephon Gilmore.

He’s a useful piece and at this point, after getting a taste of the good life in New England with his brother, would there be any reason for him not to just take whatever the Pats offered him? You can’t put a price tag on winning championships with family.

With Eric Rowe gone to Miami, there’s a spot for another versatile defensive back who gives you a better inside size option than Jonathan Jones or Duke Dawson.

Now the Pats will have a versatile veteran for two more years.

John Simon

Re-signing Simon to a two-year deal was a no-brainer. He was one of my Top-50 Big Board guys, a versatile front seven fit. Simon played 18 percent of the defensive snaps and 19 percent of the special teams snaps on the season, after joining the team in Week Four.

In the Super Bowl, Simon played the second-most snaps along the defensive line playing 60 percent of the defensive snaps and 45 percent of the special teams snaps.

He’s been a journeyman, bouncing around from the Ravens to the Colts to the Texans, but seems to have found a home in New England. Rob Ninkovich saw a similar spike in snaps and Simon could find himself on that kind of path.

He was used mostly as a third-down pass rush specialist, I’m curious to see how he develops on first and second down as a down defensive lineman, can he set the edge consistently? That would be the next Nink-like step to make.

Even if he doesn’t he’s a solid third down player and those are always valuable. He can play special teams as well so it’s a solid move with good value.

Philip Dorsett

Dorsett is back on a one-year deal after chipping in with some key-moment catches in the playoff run to Super Bowl 53. Dorsett had 32 catches and three touchdowns in the regular season and seven catches, two touchdowns in the playoffs.

The Pats need any receiver they can get at this point, but the one-year deal is telling. Dorsett seems like a model citizen that everyone likes, but he was basically cast aside when Josh Gordon arrived.

That’s what Dorsett will be this year — Gordon insurance. Who knows if Gordon will even be able to play this season, if he can’t Dorsett is an average fill in who knows the system. Dorsett is never going to be Deion Branch like the Patriots might’ve hoped last year, but he’s not Brandon Lloyd either, he’ll do the dirty work.

Wide receiver remains a massive need and reports that the Pats upped their offer to Humphries is notable, but this is what the Patriots do in free agency, at least have an average veteran in place so you aren’t forced to reach in the draft.

Brandon Bolden

I don’t think the Patriots ever really wanted to lose Brandon Bolden, but that’s the risk you run when you cut good veterans who can fill a number of roles.

The Pats paid dearly for it in Miami when Bolden burned them for his only two touchdowns of the year, one a 54-yard scamper up the heart of the Patriots defense.

Again, this is a great move to bring back one of the most well-liked Patriot veterans in the locker room who can backup both running back positions and play 60 percent of the special teams snaps as Bolden did for the Pats in 2017. He played 66 percent of them for Miami in 2018.

There’s also just something fun about Bolden going away and playing the game of his life against us then coming back.