The first phase of free agency is pretty much done. On Wednesday, the handshake deals that were agreed on during the tampering period get a chance to be executed, the new league year begins, and team-building really gets started.
We looked at some free-agent possibilities late last week, but with a new phase starting Wednesday, we wanted to update those watch lists, and add some names who could be in play via trade. (The attraction there? You don’t have to give up a compensatory pick, something that’s become a big part of New England’s approach.)
So, with all that in mind, taking into account financial flexibility, positional demands and team-building (and trading) history, we tried to put together a realistic look at some names (both in free agency and trade) who could be targeted by the Patriots during the next phase of the process. There are some familiar names, as well as some under-the-radar types who have some of the characteristics New England will be looking for this offseason.
WR Jaron Brown: A depth piece who has carved out a niche as a good third or fourth option in the passing game (and as a special teamer), this 29-year-old could provide additional depth at wide receiver for New England. Heading into the last year of a two-year contract with the Seahawks, he’d come relatively cheaply, and wouldn’t cost a comp pick. He’s not a Pro Bowler, but the 6-foot-3, 204-pounder had 48 catches and nine touchdowns the last two seasons. The undrafted free agent also has good special teams’ value — he has more than 100 special teams snaps a year the last two seasons.
WR Josh Doctson: The 26-year-old wide receiver has been an enigma since he arrived as a first-round pick of Washington out of TCU in 2016. The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder has never really lived up to his first-round billing with 81 catches in his first two-plus years in the NFL. Part of that could be because of so much instability at the quarterback position, but going into the final year of his rookie contract, a fresh start could come in the form of a trade to New England. He could likely be had for a mid-round pick, and also wouldn’t cost the Patriots a compensatory selection.
DT Sheldon Day: Day is a 6-foot-2, 291-pound defensive tackle who is going into the final year of his contract with the Niners. The 24-year-old has bounced around a bit over the course of his career, but settled into a nice role at the end of the 2017 season with San Francisco. However, a logjam at the position last year left him with just 276 defensive snaps and four healthy scratches in 2018. Now, with the prospect of the Niners adding more bodies to their defensive front seven this offseason and Day heading into the final year of an affordable rookie deal, he could be a target for New England.
WR Jordy Nelson: The Patriots have a long history making deals with the Raiders. Oakland is hitting the reset button on its passing game. New England needs wide receiver depth. The 33-year-old Nelson is a smart and versatile veteran who is (theoretically) near the end of his career with one season left on his contract. A deal would cost New England a mid-round pick, and it wouldn’t have to give up a compensatory draft pick next spring. Tell me, am I nuts for trying to connect the dots here?
DL Frank Clark/Jarran Reed: There’s a lot to unpack here, but from a New England perspective, what’s going on with the Seahawks certainly bears watching. Clark was hit with the franchise tag, but is unhappy about it, and said he’s not going to report until he has a new deal. The Seahawks have to worry about a bunch of other looming deals that will expire sooner rather than later, including Reed’s contract. With the assumption Clark and Reed are on the last year’s of their deals, Seattle could end up having to choose between the two. If that’s the case, the Patriots could step up and land one for draft picks without losing a compensatory selection. Both are terrific pass-rush talents — Clark had 32 sacks the last three seasons as a defensive end, while Reed had 10.5 last year as a defensive tackle. Of the two, I think the Seahawks would be more inclined to trade Clark — Reed is the younger player, and would likely be less expensive. And Clark would have to sign for a tag-and-trade to go through. Again, there would be a lot of steps in this process to make it work, but in the end, it’s important to remember the Pats have a history of making deals with the Seahawks, New England wouldn’t lose a comp pick in the process, and the Pats would land some additional pass-rush help.
WR Andre Roberts: It was reported Wednesday the All-Pro kick returner won’t be back with the Jets in 2019. The Patriots need a replacement for Cordarrelle Patterson, and Roberts certainly impressed Bill Belichick last year. “He does a good job running, he’s explosive, he’s fast,” Belichick said of Roberts last December. “He doesn’t need much space – once he hits the seam, it’s all over.” Roberts doesn’t have much value as a pass catcher — he has a total of 36 receptions the last four seasons — but for a team that values the kicking game, the speedy 31-year-old might be the sort of addition New England could look for this offseason.
WR Golden Tate: I’m not quite ready to give this one up. I know you always have to keep compensatory picks in mind at this stage of the process. Basically, you have to ask whether you would theoretically trade any of the available free agents for a third-round pick. (Per our guy Miguel, in this case, Tate would only cause the Pats to lose a third-round pick if his value is deemed to be similar to a third-round pick. Otherwise, he will offset the loss of Cordarrelle Patterson. In other words Tate, would have to sign a $11 million APY deal or better to offset Trent Brown.)