The Patriots didn't place the franchise tag on JC Jackson, as expected, on Tuesday and unless something totally funky happens, Jackson is done as a Patriot and the Patriots are looking for another piece in the secondary.
After talking to several league sources in Indianapolis and this week, he's a Patriots free agency primer concerning their own free agents ... and then we'll get into what the Patriots appear to be looking for — and who may or may not fit the bill outside of New England.
What you need to understand, first and foremost, is that the Patriots don't have a lot of cap space or real money to spend this offseason — and that's before they even sign their own free agents.
It is believed that last season's spending splurge affects them this year. The Patriots are not expected to be big spenders in free agency, and will most likely be sitting out the early stages — unless some player just wants to play in New England and wants to take a quick team-friendly deal. In Indy, the Patriots were looking for trades (basically a salary swap for what they spent last year) and eyeing secondary free agents. For example, a Robby Anderson trade would basically be upgrading Nelson Agholor for the same money, or perhaps less. No matter how the Twitter reporters interpret my words, I never reported the Patriots planned to move on from Agholor if they made a move for another outside receiver, just that it would make sense, and would almost have to happen with the economics.
PATRIOTS FREE AGENTS
Devin McCourty: All signs point to him playing, and it would make sense for him to land back with the Patriots. But he intends to listen to other offers, and if you're a contending team looking for a stabilizing piece in the back end, he would be attractive.
Trent Brown: The team wasn't thrilled with his finish to the season so it wouldn't be a surprised if they moved on and went with Mike Onwenu or one of their young tackles.
Dont'a Hightower: If he has no market and wants to play for cheap, then a return is possible. But the Patriots are looking to upgrade.
Ted Karras: Saw the grass is not always greener two years ago in Miami, so he likely would want to return. But at what price? His ability to play guard and center is huge
Matthew Slater: Appears to want to play and the Patriots love him, but he's getting expensive.
James White: If he makes it back physically, a one-year deal and then see how he looks in camp makes sense.
Brandon Bolden: Belichick loves him and his special teams ability.
Nick Folk: Likely back with the Patriots, and they seem to have a deal with him so the risk of loss is low.
Jamie Collins: Not totally ruled out, but Patriots looking to get faster.
Brian Hoyer: Considering the coaching situation, it would behoove the Patriots to have him back, at least through camp.
Ja'Whaun Bentley: Patriots really like him, but may wait to see if they can upgrade and he could be plucked (Raiders)
Jakobi Meyers (RFA): You would think he'd get the second-round tender and be back, but that's expensive ($3.986 million).
Gunner Olszewski (RFA): Same boat as Meyers, are the Patriots really going to spend that on a punt returner-only? Belichick might, but right of first refusal ($2.43 million) might be smarter. Or the Patriots could just apply his money to someone, like Braxton Berrios, who can play receiver.
Next ... where and who the Patriots might look to add.