With the legal tampering period beginning Monday, March 16th at noon EST and free agency starting March 18th, now is the best time to look at all the Patriots free agents and what I think the likely scenario is for each player.
QB Tom Brady – Yeah this is pretty obvious, we need to bring Brady back. He’s not going anywhere, any speculation that he’s leaving is all part of Brady’s plan to mess with us, just look at his Hulu commercial. If he does if fact leave, which ain’t happening, but if he is, I have no idea what the Pats will do or what their plan would be. Sign a veteran (Teddy Bridgewater, Marcus Mariota, Ryan Tannehill?), keep Jarrett Stidham, or draft a guy in the first round. Who the hell knows.
G Joe Thuney – Thuney has been a rock at left guard the second he was drafted in the third round in 2016. Playing in 99% of snaps in four seasons, Thuney has been elite all-around and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2019. Now, the Patriots have a decision to make on whether they can retain him. They’re already paying Shaq Mason, so giving both guards big money will be tough, as Thuney is going to get PAID.
FS Devin McCourty – McCourty has been a staple in the Patriots defense since being drafted in the first round in 2010. It’s hard to imagine McCourty outside of New England, as he’s a fan favorite and leader of the secondary. I expect McCourty to stay a Patriot, as there are ongoing contract talks.
LB Kyle Van Noy – ever since being traded from the Lions for chump change, Van Noy has evolved into a great hybrid linebacker/defensive end and chess piece to move around the defense. Van Noy has been great in the community and an important part of the defense, so I’d expect him to want to return, but money could be a factor, and could leave for more cash elsewhere.
ST Matthew Slater – arguably the greatest special teamer to play the game, Slater has spent his entire 12-year career in New England, and will likely return if he doesn’t retire. He’s a leader of this team, a leader in the community, and an ultimate fan favorite. UPDATE: Slater has signed a two-year extension to remain in New England
LB Jamie Collins – after being let go from the Browns, Collins returned to New England and had a career-reviving season. Cast as someone who lacks effort and a freelancer, he under-performed in Cleveland after signing a monster deal after being traded. He had a career year, and seems to only thrive in Belichick’s system. The Patriots will likely let him test the market, but I see them re-signing him on a short-term deal.
DT Danny Shelton – after returning to New England on a one-year deal, Shelton had the best season of his career. Last offseason he was unsigned until May, now this year, I imagine he’ll be signed much quicker, whether by the Patriots or elsewhere. I’d welcome a return, as he was a big presence in the middle of the d-line.
C/G Ted Karras – Karras has been a backup for most of his career, but when he has had to start, he’s been great, at both center and guard. He filled in quite nicely for David Andrews at center all year, and his performance could warrant a big contract from another team to be a starter. One thing to keep in mind, if Joe Thuney leaves in free agency, which I think will happen, Patriots would be wise to re-sign Karras to compete for the vacant starting job.
LB Elandon Roberts – since entering as a 6th-round pick, Roberts has been a steady presence in the linebacker rotation as a hard-hitting run-stuffer, but struggles in coverage sometimes. He really showed his worth this season as a part-time fullback, bringing his hard-hitting mentality to the other side of the ball. Not sure what Roberts’ market will be, but I’d welcome him back to New England on a cheap deal.
WR Phillip Dorsett – after being traded from the Colts for Jacoby Brissett, Dorsett established himself as a solid No. 3 receiver, but nothing really more than that. He’s shown trust and chemistry with Brady, and had a great start to the season but dropping off in the second half. With a bad receiving core, I’d like to potentially have Dorsett at the right price.
S Nate Ebner – much like Slater, Ebner is a pure special teamer and doesn’t contribute much on defense. He’s been with the team since 2012, and will likely return under his same elite special teams role
DE Shilique Calhoun – a late pickup in the offseason, Calhoun shined in camp and preseason and earned a spot on the active roster. He played sparingly throughout the season from the bottom of the depth chart. He likely won’t have a market, so he could come back on a cheap deal.
OT Marshall Newhouse – the veteran journeyman was signed early in the season due to injury and was thrust into a starting role at left tackle, and he struggled and really heard it from Pats fans. He likely won’t be back.
K Nick Folk – the Patriots had kicker issues for the first time in forever after an injury to Stephen Gostkowski. After going through the likes of Mike Nugent and Kai Forbath, Folk signed on and was pretty good. He’s 35 and may not want to play anymore, but one may consider signing him to provide competition for the 36-year-old Gostkowski.
C/G James Ferentz – the career backup started two games at guard due to injury, and wasn’t great. The Patriots have guys coming off injury from last season that could prevent them from re-signing Ferentz. He gone.
DT Adam Butler (RFA) – since entering as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Butler has climbed the depth chart to becoming a stud run stuffer and interior pass rusher. Per Mike Reiss of ESPN, Butler is set to receive a second-round tender, showing how much the Pats value him.
G Jermaine Eluemunor (RFA) – after being traded from the Ravens for a 4th-rounder, I expected Eluemunor to be the primary backup, but he barely cracked the game-day roster. They could give him an original-round tender (5th-round) and bring him back cheap.
DE Keionta Davis (ERFA) – injuries have killed Davis’ career. Projected as a mid-rounder in 2017, he went undrafted and signed with the Pats and had a red-shirt season. He made the roster in 2018, but was a regular game-day inactive. Another injury cost him 2019 and potentially his career. They could just tender him, as ERFA’s have a cheap tender, and give him one more shot.
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