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Patriots: 4 free agents NE can sign to replace Dont’a Hightower and Marcus Cannon

By Jerry Trotta

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Dont'a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Dont'a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Free agent LB Mark Barron (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images) /

3. Mark Barron

Former rival Mark Barron is still available to the Patriots.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were always going to have cap casualties this offseason, and Mark Barron predictably became one of them, even though it wasn’t an easy decision for general manager Kevin Colbert.

Despite playing on a star-studded defense, Barron proved to be a ball magnet for Pittsburgh in 2019, as he posted 82 tackles while playing 750 defensive snaps, which was 69% of the Steelers total. Over eight NFL seasons, the 30-year-old veteran has a whopping 710 tackles to his name, which is pretty impressive for a converted safety.

It’s also worth noting that Barron played college ball for Nick Saban at Alabama. We all know how close the Crimson Tide boss and Bill Belichick are, so there’s no doubting that New England is familiar with the former No. 7 overall pick’s craft. Call us crazy, but this could be a match made in heaven.

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