Patriots: Realistic Free Agents
By David Smith
All these NFL analysts are coming up with who is the best fit for a certain team, but let’s be real; the New England Patriots will not drop a lot of money to get the top tier players. Here’s a list of players more likely to be signed.
Anquan Boldin
If you guys don’t realize it by now, I love Boldin. Living in Baltimore, I got to see him up close while he was playing for the Ravens (and it sickened me). He’s getting a bit up there in age, but he’s still one of the toughest players in the NFL. He’ll probably look to sign elsewhere (since the 49ers are awful), and the Patriots had interest in him before.
Chris Ivory/Arian Foster
The Patriots will not go after Forte, he still sees himself as a top running back in the league, which he is. A team like Dallas will probably go after him, and they’ll offer way more money than the Patriots would even consider. Ivory and Foster have had stellar season (minus Foster’s run of injuries lately), but if put in the right system, both can flourish. Either of these guys is more likely than Forte or someone like Lamar Miller.
Mohammad Sanu/Marvin Jones
Both of the Bengals’ receivers are free agents. The Bengals re-signed former Patriots’ WR Brandon Tate to an extension but Sanu and Jones are still out there. I think Sanu will garner more money as a potential #1/high #2 receiver, but Jones is much more likely, especially for the Patriots.
Brandon Carr/Leodis McKelvin
Both corners are cap cuts, both corners have had up and down seasons, and both corners would be great on the other side of Malcolm Butler. Logan Ryan is a good slot corner, but that’s where he should stay. The Patriots need another player on the other side. Sean Smith will attract way too many teams and his price will probably place him out of the Patriots’ market.
The Patriots can upgrade in a lot of places this off season, even without a first round pick. There’s plenty of good depth this year and the patriots usually make good decisions when it comes to free agents.
Next: A free agent from each team the Pats would love to sign
Stay tuned here on Musket Fire for coverage on every twist and turn in the Patriots’ offseason.