The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 16th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s talk about the New England Patriots.
New England Patriots
Key acquisitions: WR DeVante Parker, S Jabrill Peppers, CB Malcolm Butler, LB Mack Wilson, CB Terrance Mitchell, RB/WR Ty Montgomery
Re-signed: S Devin McCourty, OT Trent Brown, LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, RB James White, ST Matthew Slater, K Nick Folk, QB Brian Hoyer
Departures: CB J.C. Jackson (Chargers), G Shaq Mason (Buccaneers), LB Kyle Van Noy, C Ted Karras (Bengals), OLB Chase Winovich (Browns), RB Brandon Bolden (Raiders), WR Gunner Olszewski (Steelers), FB Jakob Johnson (Raiders)
Remaining free agents: LB Dont’a Hightower, LB Jamie Collins, DT Carl Davis
Analysis: Last free agency was fun, wasn’t it Patriots fans? It felt like someone else was in control for the first time in 20+ years, which led to all their big signings like Matt Judon, Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, and Jalen Mills. This year, it went back to normal. Signing a couple random guys, retaining key veteran talent, and letting the big names go.
I wanna talk about the departures, because there was a lot. The biggest was J.C. Jackson, the former undrafted free agent who turned himself into a top 5 cornerback in the league who got a massive deal with the Chargers. This was expected if New England didn’t franchise tag him, and now there’s a massive void in a weak cornerback group.
The other big loss was via trade, in one of the biggest head scratchers. They traded longtime guard Shaq Mason to the Bucs, reuniting with Tom Brady, for a freakin’ fifth-round pick. Mason is a top 10 guard set to make only $14M over the next two seasons. Does not make sense at all, but good for Brady for fleecing his former team. Belichick has always gotten crap value for great players, and given up too much capital for mediocre players (*cough* half a season of Mohamed Sanu for a second-round pick *cough*).
They also lost Ted Karras to the Bengals, Brandon Bolden to the Raiders, Gunner Olszewski to the Steelers, and cut Kyle Van Noy.
They were able to bring back Devin McCourty for a 13th season and Matthew Slater for year 15. They also re-signed big Trent Brown to a two-year deal, and brought back James White and Ja’Whaun Bentley.
The big acquisition was DeVante Parker, who was traded along with a fifth-round pick from Miami for a third-round pick. The Pats WR core was improved last season with Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor along with Jakobi Meyers, and adding Parker gives them a true No. 1 receiver for Mac Jones.
On defense, the Patriot signed safety Jabrill Peppers, the former Browns first-round pick who spent time with the Giants. The safety group is crowded with McCourty, Adrian Phillips, and Kyle Dugger, but Peppers is also a return specialist who can make up for the lost of All-Pro Olszewski. They also brought back Malcolm Butler after three seasons in Tennessee and taking 2021 off due to personal reasons. Terrance Mitchell is another guy with starting experience with the Texans, Browns, and Chiefs.
The other trade the Patriots made was acquiring linebacker Mack Wilson from the Browns for pass rusher Chase Winovich. Both players are mid-round draft picks who had success early but lost their starting jobs. A change of scenery was necessary for both players, and Wilson gets a real chance to be a starter with Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower still free agents.
Conclusion: Due to their huge offseason last year, they didn’t need to go crazy this free agency. Last year was an outlier, and they went back to their old ways this year, but the roster is looking solid. Offense was looking stale under Josh McDaniels and hopefully the changes will help Mac Jones take the next step after a very good rookie season. There is a vacancy on the offensive line with Mason traded, and the defense can use some work, but hopefully the draft can supplement their moves and they’ll be a contender soon enough.
Football Nerds 