With free agency looming, the Patriots might look to make some moves and changes that may impact the way they approach the draft.
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Unless he knows a prospect will make an immediate impact the year they are they’re drafted, Bill Belichick has usually drafted with the future in mind.
It’s unlikely the Patriots will be signing top free agents like WR Alshon Jeffery or DE Muhammad Wilkerson, but here are some positions that the Patriots may look to upgrade and who they could be looking at:
Next: Running backs
Running back
2015 Depth Chart:
RB LeGarrette Blount (FA)
RB Dion Lewis (IR)
RB James White
RB Brandon Bolden
RB Steven Jackson
RB Tyler Gaffeny* (IR)
FB James Develin (FA)
FB Joey Iosefa*
The Patriots running back situation is not pretty. Two of their few free agents (Blount, Develin) are set to hit the market. Likely Develin, an underrated fullback, will be kept as losing him prior to the regular season dented a lot of the Patriots run game. However, it’s unclear whether the Patriots will re-sign Blount, as he hasn’t made a real impact since returning to Foxborough.
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They found hidden gems in Dion Lewis and James White and their receiving capabilities last season, but the Patriots are in desperate need of a ground-and-pound running back. Here are some candidates:
* – Practice Squad players
Next: Possible Candidates
Possible Targets
Matt Forte
Many have predicted Matt Forte would be a great fit in New England. He is a 30 year old running back who still has a lot to prove and would thrive with a contender. Forte has shown great ability on every down, especially his receiving ability. Though all these attributes are something the Patriots would love, Bill Belichick zags when people predict he would zig.
Verdict: Unlikely
Lamar Miller
When talking about Lamar Miller, the one thing that immediately comes to mind is how much the Dolphins under-utilized him this season. He has shown his capabilities to be a workhorse back with great receiving ability, but there were too many times this season were the Dolphins abandoned the run early. When Miller had under 90 yards, the Dolphins were 3-10. When Miller had over 90 yards, they were 3-0.
It has been reported the Dolphins would like to keep him but it’s Miller’s decision on whether or not he will stick around on a team with it’s third new head coach within the last 5 months.
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Verdict: Unlikely
Christ Ivory
Chris Ivory has done his damage to the Patriots over the past few seasons since arriving from New Orleans, and as Bill Belichick loves to do, he may think of signing a division opponent’s player that has had success against his team (ex. Darrelle Revis 2014, Scott Chandler 2015). Ivory is a traditional ground-and-pound running back and would be an the ideal fit based on size (6’0 ft, 222 lbs) and speed, he may come with a higher price than Blount.
Verdict: Possible, but don’t get your hopes up
Dark Horse: Stevan Ridley
A reunion with Stevan Ridley, former Patriot, would make sense. After suffering a torn ACL in 2014 against the Buffalo Bills, Ridley made his season debut in Week 9. He did not make the impact he would’ve hoped for on the Jets, thanks to a deep running back roster (Chris Ivory, Bilal Powll, Zac Stacy, Stevan Ridley). With a full offseason ahead of him to continue to get back to where he was before, the Patriots could give him another shot at a one-year deal due to his familiarity with the system.
Verdict: Possible
Next: Offensive Tackle
Offensive Tackle
2015 Depth Chart:
LT Nate Solder
T Sebastian Vollmer
T Marcus Cannon
T Cameron Fleming
T LaAdrian Waddle
Aside from Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer (When he is positioned on the right side), the tackle position is very sub-par. Due to injury, the Patriots’ tackles have been forced to be versatile and start on both left and right. It may sound like something positive, but because there was never any stability on the offensive line, there was lack of chemistry.
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Also, the Patriots could only do so much offensively – even with Tom Brady. Their top receivers also began to get injured, meaning Brady could not be able to mask all the deficiencies the offensive line had anymore.
Depth for offensive tackle may come from the draft, but the Patriots may be looking to plug in a veteran at the position.
Here are two likely candidates the Patriots may look at:
Next: Possible Candidates
Possible Candidates
A trade for Mitchell Schwatrz
In need of a offensive tackle, the Patriots may look at Brown’s OT Mitchell Schwartz, 26, as an upgrade over Sebastian Vollmer, who is 31 and will be entering his final year of his contract. Vollmer likely won’t be signed after the season, and it would be ideal to have an upgrade over Tackles Marcus Cannon and Cameron Fleming. Schwartz, who is in his final year of his rookie contract, was graded 9th best tackle in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
Verdict: Likely
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Joe Barksdale
Another younger, and cheaper option for the Patriots to invest in. The former St.Louis Rams, current San Diego Chargers tackle signed a one year deal with the the team heading into the 2015 season. Barksdale has shown versatility, being forced to move from right tackle to left tackle due to injury. Barksdale had a better performance this season than in the past and was clearly the best offensive lineman on the field for San Diego. He would be a great option for New England if the Chargers decide to move on.
Verdict: Possible
Next: Linebacker
Linebacker
2015 Depth Chart:
OLB Dont’a Hightower
OLB Jamie Collins
MLB Jonathan Freeny
OLB Jon Bostic
MLB Dane Fletcher (IR)
OLB Eric Martin (IR)
OLB Darius Fleming
MLB Dekoda Watson
MLB Kevin Synder
The Patriots arguably have two of the best linebackers in the NFL in Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins. Hightower is essentially the “QB” of the defense showing intelligence, strength, and speed becoming one of the most valuable players on the team. Collins has also demonstrated he can lead the defense, as he did at times the past two years, and is also a freakish athletic linebacker.
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It was evident that after Jerod Mayo was injured for the third time in three seasons, the drop off in production and talent is like a cliff. Freeny has showed ability to be a valuable replacement, but otherwise the production from other linebackers have been average or below.
The linebacker position is one of the most crucial positions, especially in a Bill Belichick defense. The Patriots are going to need strong options for depth. If they can’t find a veteran in free agency, they may look at the draft. But in the meantime, here are three options for the Patriots in March:
Next: Possible Candidates
Possible Candidates
A trade for Barkevious Mingo
Bingo. With Jerod Mayo retiring, the Patriots will need to invest in looking for another linebacker to add to an already dominant duo of Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins. With Michael Lombardi having worked in the Browns organization as a GM and VP of player personnel, he had an extensive look at Mingo and is aware of his skill. Also, the Browns were also looking to trade Mingo before the trade deadline last season, so they could be looking to shop him again.
Verdict: Likely
Rolando McClain
The Patriots were looking to sign McClain last season, but were ultimately beat out by the Cowboys who signed him to a one year deal and became a great piece to their defense. New England pursued the 26-year old last season because of depth issues. McClain demonstrated he has good football IQ on the field and has the ideal size for a linebacker the Patriots like, but just doesn’t have the speed. After having a strong season, it’s likely the Cowboys will again retain McClain and sign him to a longer deal, keeping him along side Sean Lee.
Verdict: Unlikely
Brandon Marshall
After winning a Super Bowl with arguably one of the best defenses in the league since the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, the Broncos have multiple free agents to sign on defense. Von Miller, who will likely one of the highest paid defensive players in the league, will be their number one priority. Next falls defensive ends Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe, who are likely to be signed, which leaves linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan. One will get signed and the other will likely walk in free agency. The Broncos would like to keep both, but thanks to the depth that they have available at the position, it won’t be a huge loss. It likely the Broncos will look to keep Trevathan, but Marshall performed very well this season too in coverage and run support.
Verdict: Possible
Next: Final thought
Final Thought
In 2006, after losing to the Peyton Manning-led Colts in the AFC Championship game, the Patriots made a splash in free agency heading into the 2007 season trading for WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker. That led to a 16-0 season.
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In 2013, after Peyton Manning torched the Patriots defense in the AFC Championship game, the Patriots signed CBs Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner helping lead a defense that ultimately helped the Patriots achieve it’s 4th Super Bowl win under Bill Belichick.
That being said, will the Patriots look to make another splash in free agency following a loss to Peyton Manning in the playoffs?
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We’ll just have to wait and see.