The New England Patriots will enter free agency in about a week with many roster holes to fill. The suggestion here is to go for the very best talent you can. Since there are exceptions to every rule, one solid player who could be a cap casualty stands out as a great possible addition.
The offensive line is one positional unit the Patriots need to upgrade above all others. They have no left tackles, are weak at guard, and have an aging center, David Andrews. This dilemma, if not addressed, will send the now Mike Vrabel-led Patriots careening back to the basement of the AFC East.
So what is to be done about this dilemma? One solution that may be doable involves a very familiar face in New England. It's a former draft pick and a two-time Patriot who was foolishly sent packing by Bill Belichick twice, helping to lose the Hall of Fame coach his job.
It's Ted Karras, and securing his services solves a whole host of problems.
Former Patriot Ted Karras would be a great addition
Patriot Nation will be well aware that interior lineman Ted Karras was an uber-valuable part of some top Patriots teams, including two Super Bowl winners. As mentioned, Belichick allowed this integral part of the Patriots' success to leave in free agency twice, once to Miami for a year, and then to Cincinnati where he has been for the past three years.
nfltraderumors.co lists Karras as a possible cap casualty this way,
"... That logic applies to Karras, too, but he’s played better than Cappa and is cheaper. Teams generally try to avoid too much turnover on the offensive line because of how beneficial continuity is, so I could see Cincinnati trying to get Karras to agree to a pay cut in the summer when there aren’t a lot of other alternatives."
The Patriots need top players above all this offseason. While Karras may not be a Pro Bowler, he'd be invaluable. Karras has many attributes that make his return to Foxborough something head coach Mike Vrabel should move on as soon as possible. "Third times a charm" in New England for Karras would be a bonanza for the Patriots and Vrabel.
Why former Patriots Ted Karras' return makes perfect sense
Karras will be well-familiar with Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels's scheme for the Patriots' offense. He's been there and done that. He'd be a seamless fit in McDaniels' offense and provide immediate stability to a position in chaos.
Even after using high and higher picks on guards the past several years (Strange, Sow, Mafi, Robinson), which is never a great idea, the Pats' guard situation is still a mess. Karras immediately starts at left guard, and if Mike Onwenu (a suggested trade candidate) stays, the Patriots have two experienced guards to pair with center David Andrews.
Nine-year NFL stalwart Karras will be an upgrade the moment he lines up for the Patriots for a third time. But that isn't all the former Patriots 2016 sixth-round pick brings to the table. He also brings another attribute that can't be overestimated, especially when you have a soon-to-be 32-year-old center in Andrews. It's his versatility.
Karras is equally proficient at both guard and center. Should Andrews be on the shelf, Vrabel can deploy Karras in the pivot without hesitation. That's as close to invaluable as an interior offensive lineman can get.
Should Karras be released, the Patriots should immediately pounce and give him the payday he should have received from the team on two previous occasions. It's as close to a no-brainer as Vrabel can get to both upgrade his starting guard situation and have a clear backup option at center if Andrews is out.
Vrabel should also consider trading for Karras. He warrants a sixth-round pick or two without the blink of an eye. And if it takes a fifth-rounder, it can't be better spent. This would be outside-the-box thinking for Mike Vrabel and it makes too much sense to be ignored. Karras is a top pro at two positions of need on the shabby Patriots' offensive line. Make the deal, Mike, and never look back.