2 free agents (besides JC Jackson) Patriots can’t afford to lose

Outside of making sure Mac Jones continues to grow, the top priority for the New England Patriots this season should be making sure that JC Jackson is retained. His skill as a turnover generator and ball-hawk are too valuable for this team to just cast away to the open market.

Once the Jackson situation is resolved, the focus must shift to other areas of the roster. New England is in danger of losing multiple starters on both sides of the ball if Bill Belichick is not proactive enough to hand them the money they deserve.

Devin McCourty and Trent Brown, both of whom have been a part of championship teams in New England, are scheduled to hit the open market. With McCourty likely to attract attention from contenders and Brown likely eyeing one last big contract, they will have plenty of suitors.

Throwing the ball at McCourty is less effective than throwing an incomplete pass in terms of passer rating, and trying to bullrush Brown might be the most fruitless endeavor in the league. Both of them need to be back with the Patriots this offseason.

The New England Patriots should retain Devin McCourty, Trent Brown.

The Patriots can’t afford to let Jackson and McCourty leave in the same offseason. McCourty remains one of the best cover safeties in the AFC, and he could return on a very cost-effective contract given his age. They won’t have to go for broke in order to make sure he stays a lifelong Patriot.

The difference between McCourty and other veterans that Belichick let walk (think Vince Wilfork and Wes Welker) is that we haven’t seen a production decline from McCourty that would lead them to believe he’s fading away. McCourty’s leadership on the back end should be rewarded with another multi-year deal.

On the offensive side of the ball, Brown is becoming even more valuable now that New England has to nurture and protect a young quarterback without great athletic ability in Jones. Brown has had issues staying healthy lately, but his near-elite play on the field should convince New England to keep him in the fold.

What are the alternatives if Brown leaves? Signing a free agent that likely won’t have as high of a ceiling? Drafting a player who will take a few years to reach Brown’s level? Relying on Isaiah Wynn to be the stabilizing force for this offensive line? Giving Brown a multi-year deal is the only option that makes logical sense.

The mighty Bills aren’t going anywhere if Josh Allen remains elite, the Jets appear to be pointing themselves in the right direction under Robert Saleh, and the Dolphins brought former 49ers OC Mike McDaniel to coach the team. New England has some competition now, and they will be ill-equipped to face them without McCourty and Brown.