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Playoff bound free agents the Patriots can target in ’23

By Lou Scataglia

FOXBOROUGH, MA - NOVEMBER 24: Tom Brady #12 talks to head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - NOVEMBER 24: Tom Brady #12 talks to head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 27: Marcus Peters #24 of the Baltimore Ravens talks with Lamar Jackson #8 on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 27, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 27: Marcus Peters #24 of the Baltimore Ravens talks with Lamar Jackson #8 on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 27, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) /

Playoff bound free agents the Patriots can target in 2023

Marcus Peters, CB, Baltimore Ravens

Marcus Peters is 30 years old and perhaps has lost a step, but the Patriots should try and replace some of the secondary production they lost when JC Jackson left for the Los Angeles Chargers last year.

Peters has 32 career interceptions in eight years, so he’s good for four picks per season.  He did return in 2022 from a torn ACL and managed to play in 13 games.  While the Ravens’ pass defense was below average, Peters still managed a solid year.

He had one interception, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 47 total tackles, two tackles for loss and one QB hit.  He isn’t going to give you the production he gave early in his career, but it’s clear that New England’s secondary needs a bit of help.

I think taking a cornerback with the first round pick is firmly in play, but perhaps that can be avoided if the Patriots were to target and sign someone like Peters.  Perhaps then the team could use their first pick to either acquire or draft a wide receiver and use one of their middle picks on a cornerback.

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