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2016 Patriots Free Agency: 8 Possible AFC East Signings

By Connor Fulton

Sep 20, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Percy Harvin (18) is tackled by New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Percy Harvin (18) is tackled by New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patriots free agency Quinton Coples
Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) speaks to New York Jets outside linebacker Quinton Coples (98) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Quinton Coples

It’s been a rough year for Coples, who was cut by the Jets, the team that drafted him in the first round back in 2012, in mid-November. Coples spent the remainder of 2015 with the Dolphins, only to be cut again this offseason along with cornerback Brice McCain as part of a cost-saving maneuver.

Coples registered 16.5 sacks in three season with the Jets before his tumultuous 2015 campaign. 1.5 of those sacks were at the expense of Tom Brady in eight career games against the Patriots.

Ranking Patriots’ positional groups by strength

Coples could fit nicely in the New England pass rush as a rotation guy behind Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard. With Ninkovich nearing retirement age (you have to think), the Patriots may consider adding a pass rusher in free agency, and Coples may be on the list.

Then again, the Patriots are grooming a pair of promising defensive ends in Geneo Grissom and Trey Flowers, so they may not be all that keen on shelling out bucks at the position in free agency. But Coples is an enticing option.

Next: 3. Bacarri Rambo

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