Patriots: 5 positions of need in free agency
The heartbreaking loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game is fading quickly in the rear view mirror for the New England Patriots. Free agency is coming up on the horizon. With that in mind, here are five positions the Patriots should consider addressing in free agency.
5. Running back
Last week, this writer asserted that the Patriots should move on from LeGarrette Blount in free agency. Considering Blount’s bruising style of running, the wear and tear on his body will catch up to him sooner rather than later. The Patriots would be wise to cut Blount loose in the near future.
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With Blount gone, the Patriots will need to fill the downhill runner void in the backfield. Brandon Bolden is better suited for special teams duty, and Dion Lewis and James White are more effective as pass catchers out of the backfield rather than north-south power backs.
Should Chris Ivory hit the open market, don’t be surprised if the Patriots pounce on him. Such a move would simultaneously fill a need and deal a blow to a divisional rival.
Next: 4. Offensive tackle
4. Offensive tackle
Now that the Patriots have parted ways with offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo, 2016 will mark a new era in the trenches.
The return of Nate Solder to the lineup will certainly provide a boost at left tackle, but Sebastian Vollmer is nearing the end of his career at right tackle. Marcus Cannon and Cameron Fleming are serviceable bench players, but they are much better in depth roles. The Patriots either need to invest in a tackle prospect in the draft, sign a free agent tackle, or both. Probably, both.
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Kelvin Beachum, Cordy Glenn and Bobby Massie come to mind as options in the free agent market. All three of those guys are just 26 years old and have plenty left in the tank.
Look, Tom Brady is trying to play into his mid-40s, but that’s not going to happen if the Patriots can’t protect him. It’s paramount that the Patriots fortify their offensive line with several starter-quality backups, which may involving cutting ties with Cannon or Fleming.
Admittedly, those three tackles may be a bit high on the wish list, but you get the idea. The Patriots need to be active in the tackle market when free agency hits.
Next: 3. Inside linebacker
3. Inside linebacker
As you well know, the Patriots boast the best pair of starting inside linebackers in the NFL. Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins are outstanding football players, and the Patriots’ defense is simply one of the best in the NFL when both of those guys are on the field. However, both guys are a bit injury-prone (especially Hightower), so the Patriots need to bolster the depth chart at inside linebacker.
With the future of Jerod Mayo up in the air as a result of his age, declining play and salary cap situation ($11.4 million cap hit in 2016), the Patriots need to consider their options. Jonathan Freeny, Jon Bostic, Darius Fleming and Dekoda Watson are the other backups at linebacker. The Patriots should take a gander into the free agent linebacker market to see if they can improve depth at the position.
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Maybe the Patriots will consider pillaging the New York Jets of Jamari Lattimore or Demario Davis. Either of those guys would be intriguing options in New England behind Hightower and Collins.
Of course, we can’t forget about Dane Fletcher, who never really got going in 2015 due to injuries. He’s about to hit free agency himself, so the Patriots will have to make a decision on him sooner rather than later.
Next: 2. Cornerback
2. Cornerback
The reasoning here is simple: you can’t have enough good cornerbacks on your roster in today’s NFL. It’s good practice to introduce fresh blood into training camp competition at the position each season, so the Patriots should peer into the free agent cornerback market in addition to selecting a cover man in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Pats are all set at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots with Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan impressing in 2015. However, the door is wide open at the No. 3 and No. 4 slots. Justin Coleman, Leonard Johnson and Tarell Brown certainly aren’t locks to make the roster next season; each of those guys have some proving to do over the summer.
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If the Patriots are feeling especially aggressive, they could take a swing at Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith, who they were rumored to be interested in at the midseason trade deadline. Or who knows, maybe Morris Claiborne’s career would receive a kick-start in a different defensive system.
Ideally, the Patriots will find another starting-caliber cornerback either through free agency or the draft who they could plug in for an injured Butler or Ryan. The right type of cornerback could start on the perimeter, allowing Ryan to shut down No. 3 wideouts in the nickel.
Next: 1. Wide receiver/tight end
1. Wide receiver/tight end
The Patriots need another potent offensive weapon at Brady’s disposal. That may come in the form of a new wide receiver, or tight end. Remember how effective the offense was in the 2014 postseason when Brandon LaFell was a legitimate threat on the outside? That’s what the Patriots need (and LaFell didn’t do that in 2015, so it’s time to look elsewhere, at least for competition in training camp).
If the Pats are looking for height at wideout, 6-foot-4 Andre Holmes of the Oakland Raiders could be their guy at a decent price. With all those promising pass catchers in Oakland, Holmes may find himself looking for a new employer, and the Patriots could be a good suitor.
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Oh, and the Scott Chandler experiment at tight end didn’t really work out in 2015, either, so the Patriots are in the market for a new face at that position.
The tight end market isn’t all that deep, but Ladarius Green is an enticing option. Standing at 6-foot-6 (Rob Gronkowski’s height), Green would allow the Patriots to toy around with two-tight end sets in 2016. Green isn’t a great blocker, but that’s alright—Michael Williams has those duties covered.
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So there you have it. Running back, offensive tackle, inside linebacker, cornerback and a pass catcher are the five positions of need the Patriots should try solving in free agency before the 2016 NFL Draft.