3 free agents Patriots are lucky they didn’t sign this offseason

2. Kyle Fuller

With Stephon Gilmore recovering from quad surgery and his contract situation still being unresolved, it wasn’t all that surprising to see Belichick pluck Jalen Mills off the market for $24 million over four years ($9 mil guaranteed).

While Mills has endured his struggles in coverage — he’s responsible for six touchdowns in 12 games, per Pro Football Focus —  there a reason Belichick recently called him “the Kendrick Bourne” of the defense.

Mills’ energy is infectious. He’s also made up for the occasional lapse in coverage by being stout against the run and as a pass-rusher. Over the last five games, he owns a respectable 67.0 defensive grade from PFF.

In other words, the Patriots should be thanking their lucky stars they steered clear of Kyle Fuller in free agency. The 29-year-old vet was signed by the Broncos to be their No. 1 corner and he’s since fallen to third in the pecking order behind veteran Ronald Darby and budding first-rounder Patrick Surtain Jr.

With the underrated Bryce Callahan nearing a return from injury, Fuller could drop as low as fourth in Denver’s CB rotation. The two-time Pro Bowler has been a shell of his former self, allowing a whopping 15.9 yards per reception and a 108.8 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks, per PFF.

The Broncos couldn’t even find a buyer for Fuller at the trade deadline! Give us Mills over him all day, every day.