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New England Patriots: Free agents who could sign with defending Super Bowl champs

By Marcus Stanois

Oct 16, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Jason McCourty (30) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) in the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Jason McCourty (30) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) in the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Gary Barnidge, TE (age 31)

Even after trading for Dwayne Allen in March, the Patriots search for a second tight end should continue. Rob Gronkowski hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2011. Should he go down again, it’s unlikely Allen will be the same understudy that Martellus Bennett was for New England last year.

Barnidge, a Pro Bowler in 2015, had 55 catches, 612 yards and two touchdowns in 2016. In Week 5, he caught five passes for a season-high 76 yards against the Patriots.

New England currently has seven tight ends on their roster. But Gronkowski and Allen appear to be the only locks to make the team.

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