New England Patriots have big decisions looming in free agency
By Nick Ziegler
ESPN recently released the biggest free agency decision for all 32 teams. What will be the biggest decision for the New England Patriots.
With the NFL season coming to an end, the New England Patriots will have a lot of big decisions to make in free agency. As a very successful team, teams are usually eager to try and sign players from the Patriots.
Last season, we saw the Patriots lose a few key free agents in free agency, and that might have played a part in their slow start to the season. After this season, the Patriots will have a lot of important decisions to make once again.
While some teams only have one important free agent, the Patriots have multiple players of importance who will be free agents at the end of the season. On ESPN’s list, they mentioned three players for Patriots, and all three are very important to the team’s success. Here is what ESPN had to say about the upcoming free agents for the Patriots.
"Running back Dion Lewis, left tackle Nate Solder and cornerback Malcolm Butler will be key free-agent negotiations for the Patriots. Lewis emerged as the clear-cut No. 1 option as one of the team’s most dynamic playmakers, Solder protects the blind side of Tom Brady, and Butler was primed for a big payday but now looks more likely to depart after the 2017 signing of Stephon Gilmore."
One of the biggest surprises this season for the Patriots was the emergence of Dion Lewis. Despite being down the running back depth chart to start the season, Lewis ended up proving that he can be every-down back. With a great second half of the season, Lewis is going to be one of the best running backs in free agency.
In addition to Lewis, having left tackle Nate Solder as a free agent is also very important for the Patriots. While Solder did battle with some injuries to start the season, he ended up performing well overall and is the blindside protection for Tom Brady.
On the defensive side of the ball, the most important free agent for the Patriots will be Malcolm Butler. Many thought that the Patriots would have given Butler a new deal last season, but they ended up paying Stephon Gilmore big money instead. Butler played well for the Patriots this season despite a few mistakes here and there, as he was graded quite well by Pro Football Focus this season.
With another trip to the Super Bowl in their sights, the Patriots will certainly be focused on handling their business on the field. However, they will have a lot of tough decisions to make after the season in free agency.