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2016 Patriots Free Agency: 5 Dream Targets

By Connor Fulton

Nov 9, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) is defended by San Diego Chargers cornerback Patrick Robinson (26) on a 14-yard reception in the second quarter in a NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) is defended by San Diego Chargers cornerback Patrick Robinson (26) on a 14-yard reception in the second quarter in a NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sean Smith
Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell (19) misses a catch against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) during the first quarter in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Sean Smith

Wait. Don’t the Patriots already have two solid starting cornerbacks in Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan? Why would they want to sign Smith, a pricey free agent cornerback?

The answer is simple: you can never have too many good cornerbacks on your roster in today’s NFL. The more starting-caliber cornerbacks you have, the better. Furthermore, tall, lanky cornerbacks are always a plus; at 6-foot-3, Smith stands four to five inches taller than any of the Patriots’ corners.

With Smith under contract, the Patriots would have the luxury of moving Ryan to the nickel spot, where he would have an advantage over just about anyone he lines up against (remember, Ryan shut down DeAndre Hopkins and Demaryius Thomas in 2015). Butler and Smith are both capable of covering No. 1 wideouts, so the Patriots could pick and choose which games they want to provide safety help to whom.

It’s always a good idea to introduce fresh blood into the secondary every offseason. That being said, Smith is a long shot dream signing considering his lofty price tag.

Next: Ranking all 9 uniform combos in Pats history

So there you have it: five dream targets for the Patriots in 2016 free agency.

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