At 4:00 PM today, the new league year begins for NFL teams. Over the last two days players, teams, and agents have announced their expected deals during the league’s “legal tampering period.” The Patriots lost three key contributors to their success over the past few seasons. WR Danny Amendola signed a 2-year $12M deal with the Miami Dolphins, RB Dion Lewis signed a 4-year $20M deal with the Tennessee Titans, CB Malcolm Butler signed a 5-year $62M deal with the Tennessee Titans, and LT Nate Solder signed a 4-year $62M deal with the New York Giants (making him the highest paid OL in the league).
These moves have left even more holes in New England than the ones most fans expected. Solder has been protecting Brady’s backside since 2011, and in the only season, he missed significant time (2015) Brady was rocked by the Denver Broncos pass-rush. Butler has made a name for himself in the NFL after being undrafted. He had two seasons as a top-10 CB in the league and a Super Bowl winning interception that will never be forgotten. Amendola’s regular season numbers weren’t huge, but he was one of the most clutch pass-catchers in the league, especially in the playoffs. Last season, nobody had more rushing yards in the second-half of the season than Dion Lewis.
New England’s remaining free agents include OT La’Adrian Waddle, OT Cameron Fleming, RB Rex Burkhead, TE Martellus Bennett, WR Bernard Reedy, DL Caleb Kidder, DL Ricky Jean-Francois, DL Alan Branch, DL James Harrison, LB Marquis Flowers, CB Johnson Bademosi, and ST Matt Slater.
What holes should they be looking to fill?
LT
It’s clear the Patriots have an open spot at OT. They could potentially move Marcus Cannon to LT and start last year’s third-round pick Tony Garcia at RT. This move has a lot of risks, as Cannon has struggled at times playing LT, and Garcia has no NFL experience and is coming off a season in which he sat out battling a blood-clotting condition. They could look to bring back Waddle or Fleming, but I don’t trust either of them blocking Brady’s back.
Free Agent Options
Greg Robinson – He was selected second overall in 2014 by the then St. Louis Rams. Robinson was disappointing during his time with the Rams and before the 2017-18 season, he was traded to Detroit for a sixth-round pick. He started six games last season before being placed on IR with an ankle injury. If Robinson wants the opportunity to restart his NFL career, he could come to New England and work with the best OL Coach in the league.
Bryon Bell – He went undrafted in 2011, the same year as Solder. He started as a RT but has gone back and forth. Last season, Bell was the backup to Tyron Smith, arguably the best LT in the game. He may take the opportunity to come start again in New England.
RB
Dion Lewis was really the lead back in New England even though he shared a backfield with others over the past two seasons. He was explosive in both the pass and run game, and that type of versatility isn’t something found easily in the NFL. On the roster currently, the Patriots have Mike Gillislee, Brandon Bolden, and James White. Gillislee was very productive at the beginning of the season but appeared to fall out of favor by the end of the year. Bolden hasn’t played much on offense and White is a primary pass-catcher, so there’s a need for a guy who can run.
Free Agent Options
Rex Burkhead – As shown in the past, New England likes versatility and last season, Burkhead did a little bit of everything when he was healthy. Maybe his injury concerns scare other teams away and the Patriots are able to bring him at around that same $3 million number.
Andre Ellington – Ellington is another guy who’s shown versatility. He moved from RB to WR during his time in Arizona after they found David Johnson. He was productive running the ball, touting a league-leading 5.5 YPC in his rookie season. His stock is likely down because he’s in between positions, so New England could get him at a discount.
DE
The Patriots had a hard time getting to the quarterback last year. They saw solid years from Trey Flowers and Deatrich Wise Jr, but it wasn’t enough. After that their depth is mostly unknown. Geneo Grissom was a third-round pick in 2015, but he’s really been a special teamer, despite getting two sacks in the Divisional Round this past season. Derek Rivers was third-round pick last year but suffered a torn ACL prior to the season. Eric Lee (OLB/DE) provided a little something last year after being signed from the Bills practice squad.
Free Agent Options
Trent Murphy – Murphy missed all of last season due to torn ACL. Prior to that, he recorded a 9.0 sack season in 2016. If he could find that form again that would be just what the Patriots need to add. There are reports that Murphy has the Patriots on his short-list, making it more likely that he signs here.
Tamba Hali – Hali and the Chiefs have been going at it over the past two seasons, and he was finally released. He’s spent his entire 12-year career in Kansas City, so he’s never won a championship. If he came to New England in a rotational role, he could help provide some pass-rush while competing for a championship.
Other Positions
New England has a fair amount of needs for a team who just was in the Super Bowl. In addition those listed above, they should also look to add a LB and a CB. They may feel they’re all set at those positions, but it doesn’t hurt to find depth. We all saw the Super Bowl and how the secondary was toasted. Not to mention how the LB looked without Dont’a Hightower.
A lot of these needs could be addressed in the draft. I feel that they’ll probably go after a RB in the mid-rounds. That’s where they found James White and before him Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley.
This is my favorite time of the year. I love to look at the rosters and depth charts for needs and potential signings. Money is being spent left and right. Teams are improving rapidly. So many teams will be completely different come the regular season. I’m here for all of it.