free agency

A week on from an explosive beginning to the Patriots off-season shopping spree, and, in case you hadn’t heard, they’re not done yet.

As free agency rolls along, punters across the US are keeping a close eye on new deals and signings and the impact they may have on the upcoming NFL season and team odds. Those who are interested in the NFL and are wanting to place a bet ahead of the season can look on which sportsbooks are available on greatlakesstakes.com.

So, who are the new players in Foxborough?

Acquisitions

TE Jonnu Smith

The first name that broke through on tamper-Monday was Smith, but, little did we know he wouldn’t be the only TE through the door in FA. He arrives in New England on the back of his career-best season with the Titans. In 2020, he had 41 catches for 481 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Loved this move when it was announced, still love it now. I was secretly hoping that Kyle Pitts may land on the team’s lap on night one of the Draft, but now, consider me happy with the TE position. Smith brings a big red zone threat, something which has previously hindered the Pats offensive drives since Gronk left.

Given his versatility, could see him being used in a number of ways

TE Hunter Henry

Interested in him at the 2016 Draft, tried to sign him last year in free agency, and finally, Bill has Hunter Henry in a Patriots jersey.

I love the move, with my only concern being his ability to stay healthy. He is looking forward to beginning his sixth season in the NFL, but only the fifth season he will compete in, after missing the 2018 campaign due to a torn ACL in pre-season OTA’s.

Now, this isn’t a grave concern by any means, Gronk played through various injuries during his time in New England and was still able to be highly productive. My hope for Henry this season is for him to be able to see out a full season without missing a game, something which has alluded him so far in his career.

WR
The Patriots made a splash day 1 of the tampering period signing Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne to help bolster the wideout position. However, I am not sure that is going to be enough. With a cloud of uncertainty surrounding Edelman’s knee and his age the Patriots may be left without their security blanket in the passing game. I am not sure that Kendrick Bourne brings that much more to the table than what Meyers can provide, and N’Keal Harry’s lack of progression remains a cause for concern.

Instead, I expect the Patriots to draft a WR in rounds 2 or 3 of this year’s draft. Their draft history when it comes to WRs has been garbage, but fingers crossed that they hit this time around. A realistic free agent still on the market is Curtis Samuel. This is the deep threat that the Patriots current depth chart still lacks and brings plenty of versatility to the table. Someone that McDaniels can use all of the field similarly to Cordarelle Patterson. Golladay, Samuel, and Juju all are primed to get big pay days. I expect 2 out of those 3 listed above to sign with the Jaguars and Colts who are also in need of help at the wide receiver position. Keep an eye on Cordarelle Patterson or John Brown as potential signings for the Patriots.

DT
Former Patriots Lawrence Guy and Adam Butler are currently sitting on the free agent market while the Patriots made day 1 signings of Davon Godchaux and Henry Anderson. Personally, I believe that Godchaux was an overpay for someone that will fill the exact same role as Beau Allen. This may become a different story if the Patriots elect to release Allen. However, it is never a good sign when Godchaux’s Wikipedia profile is a picture of him playing softball with little mention of him playing football aside from injuries.

I expect the Patriots to bring back one of either Guy or Butler while Christian Barmore is becoming a more and more realistic pick at draft slot #15. Barmore can bring an up the middle pressure that none of our current interior defensive lineman are capable of producing. Solomon Thomas, DaQuan Jones, Kawann Short, and Derek Wolfe are all names to watch on the free agent trail.

LB
The Patriots did a nice job of going out and getting their guy in the form of Matt Judon at linebacker. He will immediately come in and improve the pass rush. A defensive linebacker lineup of Hightower, Judon, Uche, and Winovich has the potential to be lethal.

The linebacker group still could use one more piece before all is said and done. As I mentioned in a previous article both Micah Parsons and Zaven Collins would be great additions at pick #15. Another possibility is Dylan Moses out of Alabama in the second round. All of these picks would add a youth building block to learn behind Hightower and eventually be his successor. With Van Noy still on the market this reunion is a likely possibility.

QB
The Patriots resigned Cam Newton to a modest deal but still lack a pure succession plan. A potential reunion with Jimmy G is not off the table given the Patriots’ cap space flexibility. I still do not see them moving up in the first round or staying firm at #15 to draft a quarterback. A potential late round flyer on Kellen Mond or Jamie Newman remain possibilities. The 2022 draft board is loaded with a deep QB class and this Newton move could be a potential bridge move leading up to 2022 when the Patriots make a run with a dangerous roster and a high level QB on a rookie deal. With plenty of cap space remaining my top spots on the QB wish list go to Marcus Mariota and Jimmy G.

C
With David Andrew still being unsigned, center remains a need on the offensive line. Plan A is to resign Andrews to a long-term deal. He is a proven leader and knows the Patriots system. Plan B would be to sign Ted Karras to return to New England or Nick Martin. Both are experienced and could slide right in as the starting center. Look for them to draft a developmental piece on the interior offensive line as they potentially lost both Thuney and Andrews this offseason. Someone with versatility like Thuney and Karras that can play the center or the guard position.

With five guys on the defensive line hitting free agency, as well as let’s count, two quarterbacks, two running backs, two wide receivers, four pieces of offensive line a couple of linebackers, two cornerbacks, two safeties and a kicker (phew!) it’s no wonder we are starting to panic a little on how the Patriots are going to quell the bleeding this 2021 season. 

Sure it would seem that free agency is starting to heat up all over the NFL at the moment, with many teams struggling for cap space, there are some big cap casualties that are going to be hitting the market.

Of course not all gashes left in free agency need to be bandaged with a current NFL player, with just (at the time of writing this) 8 weeks from the draft, interest in the fresh young college talent is reaching fever pitch too.

Speculation is rife around the Patriots, and we all know a lot of that hinges on the fact that no one (well hopefully not NO ONE) knows who will be the starter at quarterback. If you go on simply signed at the moment the guy who throws the ball will either be Jarrett Stidham or Jake Dolegala……… and a lot of fans feel that’s a total flat line. Personally, my perspective is without giving him plenty of starting games, the true picture on Stid the Kid isn’t fully developed, but I know many disagree and that the very reasonable argument is if they thought he was good he would have played more…. that’s fair, still subject to argument that Cam Newton was an opportunity they just didn’t want to pass up. Ifs buts and candy and nuts I guess.