New England Patriots: 2018 defensive free agency preview

23 – Patrick Chung – Staying

Chung’s “second album” in New England was significantly better than his debut one. The Patriots used his strengths and masked his weaknesses, as any good coaching team should better this time around.

However, he will turn 31 before the start of the 2018 season and he has $3.8 million cap hit this season and is entering the last year of his contract. Chung could be a surprise cut as part of the final 53. I think Bill Belichick will want to see if they can replace him this season via the draft and if they can’t Chung will stay.

30 – Duron Harmon – Staying

Many people balked when the Patriots drafted Duron Harmon in the third round in 2013. There were no such grumblings when he signed a four-year $17 million contract. He is still playing at a high level and is worth the $4.5 million cap hit he will take up in 2018. Harmon has a penchant for game-winning interceptions and has a habit of being in the right place at the right time.

32 – Devin McCourty – Staying

The veteran will be 31 by the time that the 2018 season starts and many think that this could be his last New England contract. His cap hit this season is quite heavy at $11.9 million and whilst he is under contract in 2019, his cap hit would be $13.4 million. However, the Patriots would be able to cut him with just a cost of $4 million to the cap.

I think McCourty will play under his current deal this season, and if he can keep up his play, expect maybe a new two or three-year deal to be announced during 2018. This all depends on what the Patriots do in the draft. The Patriots might address the age situation at the safety position with McCourty 31, Harmon 27 and Chung turning 31 by the start of the season.

36 – Brandon King – Staying

Whilst being listed as a safety, Brandon King has played a total of zero snaps on defense during his time with the Patriots. He is, however, a standout special teams player. King is also the happy recipient of a new two-year $2.6 million deal, which will keep him in New England until 2020 at which point he will still only be 27.

43 – Nate Ebner – Staying

Ebner is beloved by New England fans and the coaching staff alike. So when he was re-signed to a two-year deal totaling $5 million, nobody was surprised. Ebner is a special teams expert and will be 30 by the time his new deal runs out. Bill Belichick loves his core Special Teams and it goes to show how valuable he thinks Ebner and King are to say they were re-signed before Matthew Slater.