The NFL’s ridiculous “legal tampering” period begins Monday at noon ET, but expect the New England Patriots to stay quiet until free agency officially begins Wednesday at 4 p.m.
While the rest of the NFL’s teams fail at keeping information close to the vest, the Patriots do what they can to keep every prospective move under wraps until it’s close to official.
Once Jerod Mayo’s retirement becomes official, the Patriots will have over $17 million in salary cap room to spend this offseason. That figure should increase even more when Tom Brady’s contract extension is finalized.
The Patriots likely will use most of that money to extend key defensive players who will become free agents in 2017, but they’ll certainly have some spending money in the open market. Here are their biggest needs and the players who could fill them.
WIDE RECEIVER
When the Patriots released Brandon LaFell, wideout vaulted up to New England’s No. 1 offseason need. The Patriots have Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Keshawn Martin, Aaron Dobson, Matthew Slater and Chris Harper at the position, but they need a new “X” receiver, either through free agency or the draft.
The Patriots historically have had more success with veterans than draft picks at receiver. The best free-agent fit is former Rutgers wideout Mohamed Sanu, who spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Best fits: Sanu, Marques Colston
RUNNING BACK
The Patriots’ starting running back, Dion Lewis, currently is on the roster, but he’s coming off a torn ACL. Their starting “big back,” LeGarrette Blount, is a free agent and still could be brought back, but it’s not a certainty. New England also has Brandon Bolden, James White and Tyler Gaffney on its roster.
The Patriots need to add another “big back” this offseason, and they could look to also add a smaller, pass-catching option if they want to give White competition.
Best fits: Matt Forte, Stevan Ridley
LINEBACKER
The Patriots are set with starters Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins, but they need a No. 3 option at the position with Mayo out of the picture. They also have Jonthan Freeny, Jon Bostic, Dane Fletcher, Eric Martin and Kevin Snyder on their roster.
The Patriots have shown a willingness to spend on a third linebacker in the past. If they want to throw big money around, they could add Danny Trevathan. They’ve also shown interest in Rolando McClain.
Best fits:Â McClain, Trevathan
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Patriots don’t necessarily have a spot for a starter, with Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Bryan Stork, Josh Kline, Shaq Mason and Tre’ Jackson currently on the roster, but they could use an upgrade in their swing tackle spot.
Though unlikely, the Patriots also could release Vollmer and add a new right tackle this offseason. Mitchell Schwartz would be a fit in that scenario.
Best fits: Jake Long, Schwartz
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
The Patriots don’t plan on bringing back Sealver Siliga, and Akiem Hicks is a free agent. That leaves Malcom Brown, Alan Branch, Dominique Easley, Chris Jones and Ishmaa’ily Kitchen at the position.
The Patriots’ best course of action would be to re-sign Hicks, since he has the size and versatility to play multiple roles along the Patriots’ defensive line. He’s a perfect rotational player since he can back up oft-injured Easley in the third-down pass-rushing role.
Best fits: Hicks, Ahtyba Rubin
CORNERBACK
The Patriots should head into the 2016 season with Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan as their starters, but, including Daryl Roberts, New England currently has just three players at the position on its roster. Exclusive-rights free agent Justin Coleman also should be back.
The Patriots need bodies at the position. If they want to aim high, they could add a player like Sean Smith. They also could show interest in lower-priced cornerbacks such as Tarell Brown or Brandon Boykin. Brown spent last summer with the Patriots before being placed on injured reserve early in the 2015 season with a foot injury.
Best fits: Brown, Smith
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
