2016 Free Agency: 6 Players over 30 Patriots may consider
The New England Patriots are wild cards in free agency. You never know exactly what they’re going to do. Sometimes, they go out and sign a player who’s a bit up there in age. It could happen again in 2016 free agency, for all we know. With that in mind, here are six free agents over the age of 30 who the Patriots may have an interest in signing.
Note that the writer isn’t recommending that the Patriots to go out and get these players in every case. Rather, these are shots in the dark with reasoning provided as to why the Patriots may be interested in signing the player.
For previous 2016 free agency coverage and analysis here on Musket Fire, be sure to read about five under-the-radar free agents the Patriots should consider in March and beyond. Also, don’t miss the five positions the Patriots must address in free agency.
Alright, let’s get to the meat of it—six players over the age of 30 the Patriots may considering signing in 2016 free agency.
Next: 6. Fred Jackson (34)
6. Fred Jackson (34)
You may remember that after the Buffalo Bills cut ties with Jackson in a surprising training camp release, the Patriots immediately contacted the veteran running back. However, Jackson went west and signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
But if the Seahawks decide not to re-sign Jackson, he’ll hit the open market and the Patriots may mull over taking another swing at the back that Bill Belichick has always been keen on.
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Jackson is very familiar with the Patriots having played 14 career games against his former divisional rivals, more than any other team Jackson has suited up against. In those games, Jackson is 2-12 with 785 yards rushing, 433 yards receiving and six total touchdowns.
Much like Matt Forte, who the Patriots should consider signing, Jackson offers catching ability out of the backfield. However, at age 34, he may be a little too old for the Patriots to roll the dice on when there are an abundance of options in free agency and the 2016 NFL Draft.
Next: 5. Anquan Boldin (35)
5. Anquan Boldin (35)
As detailed by Tom Darcy of Beantown Beat earlier this month, the Patriots are going to have a decision to make about Danny Amendola and his $6.8 million cap hit, a steep price for a third-string wideout. Should the Patriots shed Amendola this offseason, Boldin may be a suitable replacement.
Like Jackson, the Patriots have displayed interest in Boldin before; in the 2010 season, Bill Belichick was very close to making a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for the receiver’s services.
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Look, Boldin isn’t a spring chicken by any means at age 35. But what he does offer is excellent potential as a possession receiver in underneath and intermediate routes, a role that Amendola helped fill along with Julian Edelman. The Patriots may decide that Boldin is worth a look as second fiddle to Edelman in the middle of the field.
Then again, the Patriots might also invest their free agent wide receiver money in a deep threat, which this offense sorely needs. Names like Alshon Jeffery, Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones come to mind as more likely acquisitions, but you never know—Tom Brady would love to have a wily and experienced pass catcher like Boldin at his disposal.
Next: 4. Benjamin Watson (35)
4. Benjamin Watson (35)
Speaking of veteran pass catchers, here’s a guy who Brady is very familiar with. Watson was a fan favorite during his six seasons in New England after being drafted with the 32nd overall pick in 2004.
Watson was one of Brady’s favorite targets in his Patriots tenure. Over those six seasons, Watson appeared in 71 regular season games for the Pats, snagging 167 passes for 2,102 yards and 20 touchdowns. He will always be remembered in Patriots fan lore for chasing down Champ Bailey in the 2005 Divisional Round loss.
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After a few quiet seasons with the New Orleans Saints playing behind Jimmy Graham, Watson exploded in 2015 for 825 yards and six touchdowns on 74 catches, all career highs for the 35-year-old. So Watson isn’t done in the NFL quite yet.
It’s quite possible that the Patriots will look in to signing the player they drafted in the first round a dozen years ago. Brady loves Watson, and may lobby to bring him back and have him complement Rob Gronkowski in two-tight end sets.
Next: 3. Brandon Browner (31)
3. Brandon Browner (31)
Here’s another former Patriot who spent the 2015 season with the Saints. The Patriots may think about bringing Browner back to New England because the secondary lacks an enforcer type.
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We already know that the Saints won’t re-sign Browner this offseason, as evidenced by this tweet from the veteran cornerback:
The fact of the matter is Browner had one of the worst seasons of any cornerback in the league last year. He committed a ton of penalties per usual, often being more of a liability than an asset to the Saints’ defense. In fact, Browner committed 24 penalties, the most by a single player since the 2001 season according to ESPN Stats and Information.
Although the Patriots are set at the top two cornerback spots with Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan growing into their own last season, there is room for a veteran in a depth spot. The Patriots might even think about signing Browner and grooming him into a role in which he only covers big, dangerous tight ends with his 6-foot-4 frame.
Next: 2. James Ihedigbo (32)
2. James Ihedigbo (32)
Here we have yet another former Patriot who the Patriots may be tempted to sign again. Admittedly, this writer is partial to Ihedigbo because of his UMass alma mater.
It’s more likely than not that the Patriots will move on from Tavon Wilson in free agency, leaving a spot open on the depth chart at safety and special teams. In just one season with the Patriots in 2011, Ihedigbo was a source of energy in the locker room and on the field—it would be nice to have those intangibles of Ihedigbo working in the Patriots’ favor again.
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The Patriots gave Ihedigbo his first big break after three quiet seasons with the New York Jets. As a starter in 12 of 16 games for the Pats in 2011, Ihedigbo accumulated 46 tackles and led the Patriots out onto the field before every game. He was a fan favorite, and this writer would love to see him back in Patriot blue wearing No. 44 again.
There’s a good chance the Detroit Lions will move on from Ihedigbo in free agency, as he was benched halfway through the season.
Next: 1. Calvin Pace
1. Calvin Pace (35)
Our friends over at Empire Writes Back don’t think that Calvin Pace will be returning to the Jets this season. Per editor Kenneth Teape:
"With an in-house option already on the roster, there is a good chance that Pace will not be brought back. While the Jets will be a little shorthanded in the pass rushing linebacker department, it is an area they were assuredly going to address this season even if Pace was going to be brought back as they need some more youth and athleticism at that position."
Should the Jets let Pace walk, there’s some chance the Patriots will be interested in signing the AFC East veteran. Sure, the Pats have plenty of youth and depth at the defensive end/outside linebacker position, but it might be worth giving the pass rusher a shot in training camp.
Of all the players on this list, the Arizona Cardinals 2003 first round pick is least likely to sign with the Patriots given the age reason. But you never know—the Pats love to pillage castoffs from their divisional rivals.
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Stay tuned here on Musket Fire for free agency analysis all offseason.