Patriots discussion: 2017 free agents, D.J. Foster
"Jaydeen Allen – If you were in Bill Belichick’s shoes and a AFC/NFC team offered a player, who is in their final year of their contract and would make an impact on this season, which team and which player would it be?"
Hal Bent – Another week and another great question that plays into a recent Musket Fire article of mine this week (The Patriots Should Trade for Dallas Guard Ronald Leary). While Leary is not an All-Pro he is an excellent run blocker and fills a need on the New England offensive line. Leary has made it clear he wants out of Dallas and interior offensive line is a need for New England.
As to what the Cowboys would want in return, I would be hesitant to trade anything more than a mid-round pick and prefer to send a back-end of the roster player Dallas covets instead. Leary is on a one-year deal after signing his restricted free agent tender. His contract is easily absorbed and his skills would fit well inside. This one is a no-brainer for the Patriots to workout a deal with Dallas.
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Kirk von Kreisler – The Patriots have been masters at pulling off trades for role players a year before their contracts expire. In 2014, the Patriots traded a late round pick for Akeem Ayers and he flourished in New England. Similarly, in 2015, the Patriots traded for Akiem Hicks, and Hicks’ stock rose tremendously. One possibility that I’ve been mulling over for this season is Darren McFadden of the Dallas Cowboys. McFadden is in the final year of his contract, with a $2,150,000 cap hit, and is just one year removed from rushing for 1,089 yards. Yes, McFadden did have the fortune of running behind the vaunted Dallas offensive line; yes, he has had injuries in the past, but he would not be asked to produce as an every down back in New England. McFadden would just be a complementary piece in the Patriots’ running back corps. While Dallas looks set at running back with rookie Ezekiel Elliott and backup Alfred Morris, New England is not nearly as lucky in their backfield and could look to shake things up.
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Andre Menice – How about Von Miller or LeVeon Bell? On a serious note, there are a handful of players entering the final year of their contract that could help New England. Of the few I looked over, the one that intrigues me is RB Giovani Bernard out of Cincinnati, while this one might also be looked at in the same category as Miller and Bell, I believe Cincinnati could afford to part with Bernard if they found a reasonable offer on the table for the back. I still think RB is the biggest need on the roster for the Pats and I think they have too many eggs in the basket that rests on Dion Lewis’ ACL. Bernard’s talent is unquestionable and the versatility to catch and run would fit seamlessly into the Pats’ offense as he averaged 4.7 ypc on 154 attempts and also added 49 receptions with the Bengals.
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Connor Fulton – Considering that wide receiver continues to be the most mysterious position for the Patriots, I would go with Michael Floyd. For one, Floyd isn’t going to command top dollar, so it wouldn’t be too financially taxing on the Patriots to ink him. Secondly, the Patriots need a tall, athletic wideout to emerge as a viable threat on the outside, much like Brandon LaFell did in 2014 (NOT the 2015 version of LaFell). Floyd isn’t the best wide receiver in the world, but that’s just fine; even if he capitalized on the scraps of a weapons-loaded Patriots’ aerial attack, that would do.
Next: Hal talks veteran additions on offense