Free agents under 26 the Patriots should sign in 2023
The New England Patriots will have a ton of money to spend in the coming free agency period. Who are some younger free agents the team could target?
Signing younger free agents is obviously more advantageous because they have a bigger chance of staying with the team and they may still be in their prime. Signing older and more veteran free agents may be the play for teams who are firmly within their Super Bowl window.
Those free agents also generally cost less, so a team like the Buffalo Bills, who are in a Super Bowl window and don’t have a ton of money to spend, could opt for older and cheaper free agents, for example.
The Patriots are in a better cap position to spend big.
Who are some free agents under 26 years old that the Patriots could sign in 2023?
Free agents under 27 the Patriots should sign in 2023
Sam Darnold, age 25
Sam Darnold’s days of being signed to start are likely over, but he doesn’t turn 26 until June and I think there is still some optimism out there that Darnold could still turn into something.
If nothing else, the Patriots targeting Darnold to elevate the floor of their QB room and to serve as the QB2 would be a smart investment. If there is anywhere for a young QB to succeed, New England has to be up their, especially now that they have Bill O’Brien as the OC.
O’Brien has a very strong track record as an offensive mind and I think could get some production out of Darnold in needed situations.
Parris Campbell, age 25
Parris Campbell simply refused to stay healthy during his first three seasons in the NFL but did finally put together a very solid season in Indianapolis. Now a free agent, Campbell likely earned a modestly paying multi year deal.
The biggest plus that Campbell possesses is his killer, 4.3 speed. He can truly burn defense and I think having someone like that along with Tyquan Thornton would really add a nice wrinkle to the offense in New England.
O’Brien did have some overlap with Brandin Cooks in Houston, who is also a speed guy, so I’d feel confident that BOB could do some damage their.
Just imagine how lethal it could be having two burners on the field at the same time.
Jawaan Taylor, age 25
If the Patriots want a potential long-term option at right tackle, then the current Jaguar is the move. Taylor was nothing special during his first three seasons in the NFL but did breakout a bit in 2022.
The other plus here is that Taylor simply does not leave the field. He has not missed a single start in the NFL, so he’s also gotten just about the most snaps he could have possibly gotten.
Spotrac.com has his market value at $12 million per year, and frankly, I don’t see an issue with that. He’ll get paid, and perhaps the Patriots could do the paying.