3 defensive free agents Patriots could sign to fix this mess
1. Bud Dupree
The Steelers will likely prioritize TJ Watt, which makes Bud Dupree a potential Patriots target.
This is wishful thinking because the Patriots almost never pay top dollar for defensive players, but Bud Dupree would likely be worth every penny, especially if more cap space is freed up in the event of a Stephon Gilmore trade (we’re still not going to rule that out until next year’s trade deadline passes).
The fact of the matter is that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have to choose between Dupree and TJ Watt, and we all know Watt will get the nod. Dupree’s also under the franchise tag for 2020, so you know that the Steelers won’t be able to afford slapping him with that again in 2021.
So when the former first-round pick from 2015 hits the open market, he’s going to have a ton of suitors. But this is the perfect time to pay him. He’s come into his own over the last two-plus seasons and will only be 28 by the start of next year. The outside linebacker has registered 136 tackles (30 for a loss), 25 sacks and 45 QB hits across his last 42 games.
Throw him on the outside with Hightower in the middle and Chase Winovich on the other end (and an emerging Josh Uche), and the Patriots will return to their stout defensive ways. Aside from an injury-shortened 2016, Dupree has missed just one game in his other five seasons.
That kind of durability and production is exactly what Belichick values. If it costs a little extra this time, so be it. The Patriots need the help now, and they need it fast if they want to return to contender status.
