2016 Patriots Free Agency: 8 Possible AFC East Signings
One of the most entertaining dates on the NFL calendar is fast approaching: free agency. The New England Patriots have have several needs to address in 2016 free agency, and they may look elsewhere in their own division to fill those holes. As we gear up for Patriots free agency, keep in mind these eight players who were members of the other AFC East squads in 2015.
8. Percy Harvin
You may remember that the Patriots have expressed interest in Harvin before, so we know that Bill Belichick is tempted by the ultra-talented wide receiver. The Patriots could certainly use a boost in the kick return game, where they haven’t fielded a return threat in recent memory.
Harvin’s future with the Buffalo Bills is in doubt now that his contract has voided, meaning he will hit the open market on March 9. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots renew their interest in the electric open-field ball carrier.
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Who knows, maybe Harvin would rekindle his threat as a wide receiver with Tom Brady as his quarterback. Since leaving the Minnesota Vikings three years ago, Harvin has caught just 70 balls for 701 yards and three touchdowns; he racked up 280 receptions, 3,302 yards and 20 touchdowns in four seasons with the Vikings.
Starting fresh in New England may be too tempting for Harvin to pass-up for the second year in a row.
Next: 7. Chris Ivory
7. Chris Ivory
Here on Musket Fire, we’ve spoken at length all offseason about the benefits of the Patriots signing Ivory. Plucking the New York Jets’ best back would not only bolster the Patriots’ backfield, but it would be addition by subtraction of a rival’s offensive weapon.
One thing about Ivory that is true: he packs a punch. He’s coming off his best season as a pro having rushed for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns in 2015. That was actually Ivory’s first 1,000-yard season. The former New Orleans Saints running back would be the answer to the Patriots’ power back problem should LeGarrette Blount depart in free agency, as he is expected too. Ivory would be an upgrade over Blount, anyway.
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The other factor at play here is the gamesmanship between AFC East rivals. The Patriots and Jets are always shuffling players, from Danny Woodhead to Stevan Ridley (more on him later) to Darrelle Revis. Signing Ivory from the Jets would just be the latest instance of the Patriots trying to get inside the Jets’ heads.
Next: 6. Rishard Matthews
6. Rishard Matthews
As the Patriots free agency perusing takes them to the wide receiver market, Matthews may come up on their radar.
Despite missing five games in 2015, Matthews put forth a career year. He caught 43 passes for 662 yards and four touchdowns, with a nice yards per catch average of 15.4.
As it so happens, Matthews has caught more passes (21) and more yards (236) against the Patriots than he has against any other team. In other words, the Matthews is familiar with the Patriots, and he’s no stranger to them, either. Matthews has been on the winning side of just two of his seven games against the Pats.
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The Patriots have developed a habit of signing former Dolphins wideouts. There was Wes Welker, of course, back in 2007, and just last offseason, the Pats scooped up Brandon Gibson from the Dolphins during free agency.
Matthews could fit nicely in the Patriots’ offense in the outside position where Brandon LaFell struggled in 2015.
Next: 5. Demario Davis
5. Demario Davis
One of the more underrated linebackers in the NFL, Davis appears to be headed for the open market.
With Jerod Mayo out of the picture entirely, the Patriots are in the market for an inside linebacker. Certainly, Davis would be an upgrade over current depth players Jonathan Freeny, Darius Fleming and Dekoda Watson and so on.
Davis put forth another solid season in 2015, accumulating 89 tackles and two sacks. It should be noted that Davis is very durable having never missed a regular season games in four NFL seasons.
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In eight career games against the Patriots, Davis has more tackles (54) than he does against any other team.
You have to respect the defensive prowess of the Jets, and if the Patriots were able to nab one of that unit’s more vibrant pieces, it would be huge.
Next: 4. Quinton Coples
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.
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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
3. Bacarri Rambo
As a restricted free agent, Rambo has a few hoops to jump through if he wants to join another team, as the Bills could match any offer made by the Patriots. But there’s a chance he will be wearing a different jersey in 2016.
A sixth round pick of the Washington Redskins in 2013, Rambo was waived by the ‘Skins early in 2014 and has since been a contributor for the Bills. The Georgia product picked off two passes in the 2014 season, indicating that he found a new and better home in Buffalo.
The highlight of Rambo’s 2015 season was the Bills’ Thursday Night Football win over the Jets (you remember, the first Color Rush game in which the Bills wore all-red and the Jets wore all-green). That night, Rambo forced two fumbles, recovered one and picked off a pass to seal the victory.
The Patriots are set at safety with Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung, but Rambo would be an upgrade over Duron Harmon, Jordan Richards and Tavon Wilson at the depth spots.
Next: 2. Stevan Ridley
2. Stevan Ridley
The possibility of a renunion with 2012 draft pick Ridley may be too good for the Patriots to pass-up. After all, Ridley is a downhill runner who is familiar with the Patriots’ way of doing things, from the playbook to locker room interviews.
During his tenure in New England, Ridley was one of the most productive running backs for the Patriots this century. Only Kevin Faulk and Corey Dillon have rushed for more than Ridley’s 2,817 yards.
Ridley was extremely under-utilized in the Jets’ ground game in 2015, rushing for just 90 yards on 36 carries. He was still in recovery from the torn ACL that ended his time with the Patriots.
Should Ridley be fully healthy again, the Patriots should put some serious thought into a reunion with the LSU product.
Next: 1. Leonard Hankerson
1. Leonard Hankerson
Hankerson actually suited up for the Patriots in their 33-16 win over the Tennessee Titans in 2015, but he didn’t see any passes thrown his way before being released and signed by the Bills.
One of the more puzzling transaction stories of 2015 centered on Hankerson. Before getting hurt at midseason, Hankerson was having himself a season with the Atlanta Falcons having caught 26 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns. But then he got injured, and things changed.
Hankerson was picked up by the Pats, but only very briefly. He appeared in one game for the Bills, as well, but again didn’t catch even one pass in Week 17 against the Jets.
Hankerson is at least somewhat knowledgeable about the Patriots’ offensive system having studied the playbook a bit in 2015. He may be worth signing to a low-cost deal and introducing into the training camp competition with the likes of Brandon Gibson, Brian Tyms, Keshawn Martin, Brandon LaFell and any other wideouts the Patriots acquire during the offseason.
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So there you have it. Harvin, Ivory, Matthews, Davis, Coples, Rambo, Ridley and Hankerson are AFC East veterans that should be on the Patriots free agency brainstorming list.