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Patriots free agency: Who will be this year’s Jabaal Sheard?

By Connor Fulton

Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) reacts after a play against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) reacts after a play against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patriots free agency Jabaal Sheard
Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) reacts after a play against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

As New England Patriots winds down after a flurry of moves, it’s time to sit back and analyze the haul. To put this year’s group of free agents in perspective, let’s hop in the time machine and remember how last year’s Patriots free agency signings panned out.

Chimdi Chekwa: Signed as depth corner/core special teamer. Only lasted with the team for a few months, didn’t make it into summer. Been out of football since.

Travaris Cadet: Acquired to fill void left by Shane Vereen as pass catching back, but was only active for one game due to injuries and was released in late September as Dion Lewis rose.

Brandon Gibson: Tore ACL in preseason. Still on roster, will be fighting in training camp this summer.

Kevin Dorsey: Released in early May, has been out of football since.

Jonathan Freeny: Saw action during injury bug that wiped out linebacking corps midseason, putting up career numbers of 50 tackles, sack. Solid depth player and special teamer.

Robert McClain: Signed to compete for many cornerback spots left by 2015 departures, but was cut before Week 1. Carolina Panthers scooped him up, currently a free agent.

Scott Chandler: Didn’t pan out as Rob Gronkowski’s partner in crime as Patriots had hoped; didn’t record a catch after Dec. 6. Released by Pats this offseason.

Jabaal Sheard: Posted eight sacks and four forced fumbles (tied for second most in the league). Above-average starter all season.

MUST-READ: Which offseason additions will be most impactful in 2016?

When players are first signed in free agency, it’s easy to get excited about what they can bring to the table. But as we saw in 2015, the large majority of Patriots free agent signings didn’t materialize into results on the field, with Freeny and Sheard being the only returners in 2016.

Clearly, Sheard was the crown jewel of the Patriots free agency class in 2015. Read on as we evaluate the 2016 prospects of the Patriots’ signings this time around.

Note that Jonathan Cooper and Martellus Bennett are not on this list because they came to New England via trade.

Next: 6. Donald Brown

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