Patriots: 3 free agents Pats should overspend for in 2021

Here are three free agents who the Patriots should overspend to sign next offseason.

Though the New England Patriots are fresh off a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, we wouldn’t blame fans who are already looking forward to the offseason. After all, a first-round exit seems like the best-case scenario, and Bill Belichick is projected to have the fourth-most salary cap space in the NFL after bypassing upgrades last offseason.

The 68-year-old GM-in-essence has uncharacteristically been waxing poetic about how he preserved cap space in 2020 to be better positioned to cope with the financial implications of the ongoing pandemic. As diabolical as that sounds, it really just encapsulates his brilliance and amplifies why he’s done nothing but win since taking over the reins in New England two decades ago.

Assuming the salary cap is lowered, the Patriots would be one of the few organizations positioned to sign multiple marquee free agents. Given the laundry list of flaws on this current roster, that is incredible news for the fan base, which desperately wants to return to its winning ways in 2021.

It goes without saying that the most glaring deficiencies lie on the defensive line, and at the wide receiver and tight end positions. With that in mind, let’s highlight some impending free agents who the Patriots should overpay for to ensure they land their signature.

3. Hunter Henry

Chargers star Hunter Henry would solve the Patriots’ tight end woes.

Much to the dismay of fans, the Patriots have failed to address their tight end issue since Rob Gronkowski retired after the 2018 season. That stubbornness looks even worse on Belichick when you consider that the oft-injured Pro Bowler hinted at calling it quits numerous times in the latter stages of his career.

We’ll probably never know why the de facto GM refused to prepare for Gronk’s impending departure beforehand — his subsequent draft picks have been awful — but he’ll fortunately be positioned to cure all of his miscues this offseason when Chargers tight end Hunter Henry will hit free agency.

The Chargers have a plethora of playmakers in place for rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, so the front office might be fine with letting Henry, a second-round pick back in 2016, test the open market. Los Angeles would clearly be better off spending resources on their offensive line and defense, and that could leave the door open for the Patriots to swoop in.

Henry’s numbers don’t exactly jump off the screen, but that’s largely due to the Chargers’ aforementioned stacked offense. With that being said, however, they’re still respectable. In three seasons — he missed all of 2018 with a torn ACL — the Arkansas product has averaged 45.3 receptions for 569.6 yards and 5.6 touchdowns. We’ll take that all day, every day.

Nothing more needs to be said, folks. The Patriots shouldn’t think twice about pouncing on Henry if LA lets him walk after the season.

2. Yannick Ngakoue

The Patriots have no excuse not to sign a stud pass rusher this offseason.

As previously mentioned, the Patriots desperately need to revamp their defensive line this offseason, and a great way to start would be to sign arguably the best pass rusher available. We hear the arguments for Jadeveon Clowney, but he’s grossly overrated and way too injury prone for our liking. He has zero sacks in eight games with Tennessee, and we’re not afraid to acknowledge that he isn’t nearly as great as some analysts make him out to be, often double-teamed and erased (which would be the case in NE).

Ngakoue, on the other hand, is the walking definition of consistent. He’s been excellent again this season despite bouncing around to two teams early on, compiling 13 tackles, five sacks, seven QB hits and two forced fumbles across eight games.

What’s more impressive is the fact that the former Pro Bowler has registered at least eight sacks in every season since entering the league as a third-round pick back in 2016. Ngakoue might not garner national recognition as one of the most dominant defensive ends in the NFL, but he is undoubtedly in the conversation.

Taking those numbers into consideration, the 25-year-old beast will likely be looking to become one of the wealthiest players at his position in free agency. The Patriots have the requisite cap space (and then some) to make that happen, and they should stop at nothing to land his signature once March rolls around.

1. Allen Robinson

Bears WR Allen Robinson would be a perfect addition to the Patriots’ offense.

We’ve been on the Allen Robinson bandwagon for quite a while, so why stop now? The 27-year-old stud is currently stuck in wide receiver purgatory, otherwise known as the Chicago Bears offense, and that is downright criminal when you consider his talent.

Robinson has been outspoken about wanting to sign an extension with Chicago. While that commitment to the franchise is commendable, that would be a fundamentally awful decision for his career, which has been held back by suspect quarterback play. It would also be a terrible move for the Bears. Why break the bank to extend him if his potential is never going to be realized in your offense?

We know the Patriots don’t have their QB of the future lined up, but that could all change depending on how the 2021 NFL Draft plays out. Robinson is one of the most complete wideouts in the league and would fill a hole that’s been gaping for years now in New England.

The Penn State product has had a down year by his standards, but still leads Chicago in receptions (57), yards (712) and targets (86) by an impossible margin. A receiving quartet of Robinson, budding star Jakobi Meyers, Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry next season is something we can definitely get on board with. Heck, we’d be fine with signing another wideout on top of A-Rob, too. Got money to burn, after all.

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