Without mentioning the quarterback situation right now, there are other needs for the New England Patriots.
Here are 10 potential free agents that the Patriots should be looking into.
Jimmy Graham, Tight End
Behind quarterback, the tight end position has probably been the second-most discussed position in New England this offseason.
After a season where the tight end group was 32nd in receptions, 30th in yards, and 32nd in touchdowns, it’s evident a change needs to be made.
Jimmy Graham was one of the premier tight ends in the NFL just a few years ago. He spent his first five seasons with New Orleans as one of Drew Brees’ favorite targets. It was during those times when he was constantly compared to former Patriot Rob Gronkowski. Graham and Gronkowski were the top-two in the league, and it was clear.
Over the next five years, he’d split time with Green Bay and Seattle. He still put up solid numbers, but not exactly at the level he was before. His $11.7 million cap hit before his release will not be the market value, but for just under $7 million he should be able to sign a deal with solid upside for New England.
Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver
Former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson, now an analyst for CBS and NFL Network, also believes the Patriots should make a run at Cooper. Cooper, 25, has made it clear that he wants to stay in Dallas. The former Oakland Raiders wide receiver was traded to the Cowboys midway through the 2018 season. It remains to be seen just how much the Cowboys value Cooper, though. Dallas also needs to pay Dak Prescott and Byron Jones is hitting free agency, too. With Mohammad Sanu, Edelman, and N’keal Harry still on the roster for 2020, the Pats could use a spark for the offense that Cooper delivers.
Eric Ebron, Tight End
Ebron has spent the last couple of seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and is coming off an injury-shortened 2019 campaign. During his time on the field, Ebron logged 31 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns, which paled into comparison to his breakout season in 2018 with Andrew Luck.
So why should New England be interested?
He will definitely be one of the cheaper tight ends on the market, using Austin Hooper and Hunter Henry as benchmarks.
Vic Beasley, Linebacker
The Patriots have never shied away from acquiring former first-round draft picks that have failed to live up to expectations on their former teams. Beasley, the eighth overall pick in 2015, would certainly fall under this category after five up-and-down seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Is he a guarantee to work out in New England? Certainly not, but the Patriots might be able to bring him in on the cheap and try to find a role for him as a situational pass rusher with a tremendous athletic profile. Especially with Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins expected to get good deals in free agency, you might need to replace one or both of them.
Tyler Matakevich, Inside Linebacker
All told, the Patriots allowed a total of 120.6 yards per game on the ground in their final 10 outings. That includes 201 yards via Derrick Henry and the Titans in the wild card loss at home. In their first seven contests, New England surrendered a total of 523 rushing yards – an average of 74.7 yards per game. And this offseason, linebacker Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy could hit the open market if not re-signed by March 18.
Linebacker Tyler Matakevich was a seventh-round pick by the Steelers in 2016. The former Temple standout led the club in special teams tackles each of the past four seasons and could also provide depth at inside linebacker. It could be one step forward as the Patriots address their front seven and help another area as well.
Randall Cobb, Wide Receiver
For the first time since 2016, Julian Edelman led the Patriots with 100 grabs, good for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. But the team’s second-leading wide receiver in terms of catches was Phillip Dorsett (a potential free agent), who hauled in just 29 passes for 397 yards and five scores in 14 contests. The latter figure was tied for the second-most on the team with running back James White. But is he in New England’s plans for 2020? This past season with Dallas Cowboys, one-time Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Randall Cobb finished with 55 receptions, good for 828 yards and three touchdowns. In his nine-year NFL career with both clubs, he’s hauled in 525 passes for 6,352 yards and 44 scores. He would be an effective addition regardless of who’s throwing the ball for the Patriots this season.
D.J. Reader, Defensive Tackle
Reader has been a durable piece of the Texans defensive line, having played 61 of a possible 64 games since 2016. His snap count has increased every season since entering the league, helping proves he’s both reliable and productive. In 2019, Reader recorded 2.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits. He also had a career-high 36 pressures and 35 defensive stops, per Pro Football Focus.
When looking at Spotrac’s market value model, Reader is expected to receive a deal somewhere in the ballpark of five-years for $59 million. The Patriots likely wouldn’t do the five years, but the average annual salary of $12 million shouldn’t be something to keep them from being in the mix to sign Reader. That AAV is a fair number for Reader given what the going rate for defensive tackles is.
Antonio Brown, Wide Receiver
While this scenario has played out before, this time it might not end so abruptly. As his off-field antics almost costed his NFL career, maybe he will smarten up more and get back to the grind, and fixing his once-great image. He is his own worse enemy, let’s see what happens.
Jack Conklin, Offensive Tackle
He may have had an ACL injury in 2018, but he played a full season in 2019. He allowed just four sacks and took a mere seven penalties. He will command more than a fair share of salary, but he could be a great fit alongside Joe Thuney –– or even replace him.
