4 free agents Patriots should avoid this summer

The height of free agency might be long gone, and most teams have already signed the players they wanted, but the Patriots still have a few roster holes that could be filled by unsigned free agents heading into training camp.

There are a few intriguing names that would be nice to see Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf at least consider, if not sign, for the season ahead, but there might be more players they should actively avoid even considering.

They've made it clear they are prioritizing re-signing or extending their best players this offseason. The latest is Jahlani Tavai, who will remain with the team for another three years. Yet there are still big-name players waiting on their extensions, like Davon Godchaux and Matthew Judon.

Those guys should be the priority for the rest of the offseason, and maybe some of the more interesting unsigned players, but definitely not these four free agents.

4 free agents Patriots should avoid this summer

LT David Bakhtiari

One of the most debated topics of the offseason surrounding the Patriots has been the new regime's decision not to have a legitimate left tackle on the offensive roster. Although Chukwuma Okorafor was signed in free agency and two tackles were drafted earlier this year, none are considered the caliber of player needed for the position, especially with a rookie quarterback under center.

With the team returning for training camp later this month, Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf will have time to evaluate the roster and make changes if necessary. But if they look to remaining free agents to sign, they should avoid former longtime Packer David Bakhtiari.

He has been a solid starting left tackle throughout his eleven-year career, spending the entire time protecting current Jets' quarterback Aaron Rodgers. That would make him a great addition to the Patriots offense, but he's dealt with nagging injuries since the 2020 season, forcing him to spend more time off the field than on it.

Over the last three seasons, Bakhtiari has only played 13 games of a possible 38 and will enter the 2024 season after suffering a knee injury that required surgery.

Despite the help the Patriots' offensive line needs, it seems like more of a risk to sign Bakhtiari than anything else, which isn't much of an improvement from where they are now.

CB Xavien Howard

There has been a lot of speculation about the Patriots adding another cornerback to join Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones before the 2024 season begins, and at first, a guy like Xavien Howard being available to sign seems too good to be true.

The former tenured Dolphin became one of the best cornerbacks in the league during his eight-year career in Miami, being named to four Pro Bowls and earning first and second-team All-Pro honors. He showed he could be dominant no matter where he lined up, which is an incredibly valuable asset for the position, but his off-the-field drama would be too much to take on for New England.

Howard is dealing with many accusations regarding his personal life, which likely explains why a player of his caliber remains unsigned this late into the offseason. Although his talent would be greatly suited for the Patriots' secondary, they certainly do not need an immediate distraction like Howard on the team right now.

WR Hunter Renfrow

Much like the offensive line, the Patriots receiving corps and their lack of star power has dominated conversations throughout the offseason. There were hopes that Mayo and Wolf would pull off a blockbuster trade now that Bill Belichick was out the door and they were loaded with cap space, but they, instead, drafted two receivers and re-signed pending free agents.

There are still rumors of their desire to add a big name player via trade before the season begins, which could still happen. However, if they're going to simply look at free agents, Hunter Renfrow should not be a name to consider.

The former Raiders receiver has been linked to New England for several years now, as Belichick had reportedly been interested in signing him on a few occasions. Although he fits the typical Patriots mold, they already have slot receivers to fill that role, so Renfrow wouldn't make the receiving corps better in the way they need.

There are already questions arising over DeMario Douglas' fit within Alex Van Pelt's new offense, mainly due to his game and size, which would seemingly be the same with Renfrow.

The Patriots really need a bigger receiver who dominates the field and intimidates opponents, which are not characteristics one would use to describe Renfrow's skillset.

RB Matt Breida

The Patriots' backfield is not one that needs much improvement ahead of the season, as Antonio Gibson seems like the perfect fit to work behind Rhamondre Stevenson. But there's not much reliable depth beyond the pair, which might be grounds to add more running backs to the roster.

If that's the case, Matt Breida should be a player the Patriots avoid. The journeyman running back has had a decent career since joining the league in 2017, seeing the most production during his three seasons with the 49ers. During that time, he recorded 381 carries for 1,902 yards and six touchdowns on the ground while adding 67 receptions for 561 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver.

Since then, he's not found himself as the primary option in the backfield for three other teams he's played for, recording just 194 carries for 754 yards and three touchdowns over the last four seasons.

It's not necessarily a talent issue and is more likely a situation of circumstance. However, the Patriots' need for solid depth might be better suited for other available free agents, like Kareem Hunt, who has thrived even in a backup role after losing his starting position.

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