Free agency will be about filling linebacker depth for the New England Patriots.
The Patriots made two key acquisitions at the trade deadline to add role players behind starters Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins, and now they must either re-sign those players or find similar ones on the open market.
Akeem Ayers and Jonathan Casillas are set to hit the open market Tuesday at 4 p.m., and one might be easier to re-acquire than the other.
Check out who the Patriots can sign as the new league year looms:
AKEEM AYERS, ARTHUR MOATS
Ayers and Moats were listed as potential pass rushers, as well, but they can be used as both linebackers and edge defenders, which is what makes them so valuable.
Bill Belichick wants his defense to be as versatile as possible, and Ayers’ and Moats’ ability to rush the passer and drop back in coverage would create a lot of possible deception for the Patriots.
The Patriots don’t have a reserve linebacker on their roster, and they also lack an experienced third pass rusher. The Patriots could save some money by signing either Ayers or Moats to be a backup at both roles.
SAM ACHO
Acho is another player like Ayers and Moats who fits best as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, but he could play strong-side linebacker in a four-man front or put his hand in the dirt and rush the passer on third down.
Acho lost his starting role with the Arizona Cardinals in 2014, which could lower his value on the open market. A one-year prove-it deal with the Patriots could help boost his stock as a free agent next season.
The Patriots could look back at Acho’s measureables from the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine and be intrigued. He ran a 6.69-second 3-cone drill.
DANE FLETCHER
Fletcher had an up-and-down season as a starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and could be back if he’s willing to reclaim his role as a special-teamer/reserve linebacker. Fletcher can play inside or outside linebacker in a 3-4 or 4-3, and that versatility is valuable as a backup.
JONATHAN CASILLAS
The Patriots acquired Casillas via trade before the 2014 deadline, and he was solid as a special-teams ace/backup linebacker. It’s unlikely that he’ll receive an opportunity as a starter on the open market, so he could be back as the Patriots’ top reserve linebacker.
Casillas is solid in pass coverage, but he’s a little undersized to be an early-downs run-stuffer.
Previously:
Bilal Powell Among Five Potential Free-Agent Running Backs For Patriots
Reggie Wayne Among Five Potential Free-Agent Receivers For Patriots
Rob Housler Among Five Potential Free-Agent Tight Ends For Patriots
Clint Boling Among Five Potential Free-Agent Guards For Patriots
Jared Odrick, B.J. Raji Among Patriots’ Potential Free-Agent Defensive Tackles
Adrian Clayborn Among Patriots’ Five Potential Free-Agent Pass Rushers
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
