Free agency lacks high-end talent in many positions, but defensive end/edge is not one of them. If the Patriots want to add a premier pass rusher, all they have to do is break out Robert Kraft's checkbook and see if there are any takers.
But before Eliot Wolf and company get to that point, they have to decide what they want to do with their own. Matthew Judon is in the final year of a contract and almost certainly won't want to play for the number assigned to him. Josh Uche is a pending free agent. Ditto Anfernee Jennings. Mack Wilson is a linebacker by trade but morphed into a productive pass rusher during the second half of last season. He, too, is without a contract for 2024.
Then you have the Deatrich Wise/Keion White combo platter, where the rookie was selected last year to supplant the veteran eventually. Those two are in a separate class because of body type, but they ate up a lot of snaps (615 for Wise, 522 for White), especially with Judon sidelined for three-quarters of the year. Wise's ability to kick inside on obvious passing downs is where he generated the lion's share of his pressures - he was third on the team (trailing only Christian Barmore and Uche).
What would I do with this group? Give Judon incentives to make sure he feels valued and is a full buyer of what Mayo and Covington are trying to create defensively.
Jennings would be back, too. He's not much of a pass rusher, but he had an excellent season defending the run/setting the edge. No one on your roster was better in that role. Jennings is an ascending player. Those are the guys you keep around.
Uche and Wilson are tied together, as far as I'm concerned. Wilson gave you pass rush production after never being in that role before. If Uche is chasing every last dollar, who would blame any of them if they were? - I'm picking Wilson every time.
Signed: Judon ($14.67 million/trade post-June 1 $7.94 million dead cap/$6.7 million savings), Wise ($7.64 million/$2.2 million dead cap if cut*), White ($1.7 million)
Unsigned: Uche, Jennings, Wilson
KEEP YOUR OWN, DAMMIT
1. Jennings, Patriots: Barely played as a rookie, then missed 2021. His 677 snaps this year were more than his previous three seasons combined. Starting in week 12 versus the Giants, Jennings was your second-best player up front. It's not the be-all and end-all because of the source, but PFF had him tied with Maxx Crosby for the most run stops this season (38).
PFF projects Jennings for $10.5 million over two years.
2. Wilson, Patriots: He's a role player, but some positional versatility gave him a bigger bite of the apple, and Wilson made it count. He rushed the QB 108 times and had 15 pressures, including 3.5 sacks. Mayo admitted he and Steve Belichick had a conversation about Wilson two offseasons ago, saying they did a bad job utilizing him. He fits on several levels, including how he carries himself in the locker room.
There are no contract projections for him. It won't cost much.
BIG MONEY, NO WHAMMIES
1. Danielle Hunter, Vikings: Let's start with this - he can be a pain in the ass. It seems just about every year for the last however many, Hunter has been dissatisfied with his contract. Can you guarantee he won't have the same view elsewhere? No, but what a dynamic player. He can line up almost everywhere and find his way to the passer (80 QB pressures). Hunter has about every move in his arsenal, which makes him an unpredictable pass rusher (in a good way). But he's not a one-trick pony. The 29-year-old is good at setting the edge, and his length causes havoc in both rush and pass lanes. If you go this route, I assume Judon would be a goner, but I've been wrong before.
Spotrac estimates $60 million over three years, PFF $65 million for three, with $40 million guaranteed.
DID YOU GET HIM? WELL DONE, ELIOT
1. Dorance Armstrong, Cowboys: I like this player a whole bunch. He has the go-go gadget arms (nearly 35 inches) and can line up all over the joint. Yes, opposing offenses had to plan for Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, and that created a lot of one-on-one opportunities for Armstrong, but the thing is, he won a lot of them (consistent pressure rates). He's had a combined 16 sacks over the last two seasons. Is Armstrong great against the run? Nope, but he's not a traffic cone, either. He's not yet 27-years-old.
PFF estimates three years for $25.5 million ($18.5 million guaranteed).
2. Jonathan Greenard, Texans: So here's how I view Greenard...if you got his route, you're not bothering with Jennings. That's because Greenard is getting on the field and staying there for all three downs, whereas Jennings/Wilson might be a combo platter. He plays ahead of the game, with a strong first step but also the kind of football intelligence I would imagine is craved by Mayo/Covington. He's excelled in several different systems (3 head coaches in 3 years in Houston). As a pass rusher, he's bendy. Not Gumby-esque, but it's in him. Big dude. 6'3", 265 pounds. Has had some injuries.
Spotrac estimates 53 million over four years. PFF says 3/$48 million ($32.75 million guaranteed).
3. Leonard Floyd, Bills: The 31-year-old made it very clear after the Bills season ended that he would go where the money was, so if you want to out-bid a contender, it sounds like Floyd will overlook 2023's 4-13 record. He has a motor that still runs strong and impacts the game both as a pass rusher and versus the run. I know the Bills were pleased with what they got from Floyd, praising him for being an instinctive player who fit in seamlessly in the locker room. There are a lot of miles on this body, so that's something to consider.
Spotrac estimates 16.2 million over two years. PFF suggests one year for $6 million.
4. A.J. Epenesa, Bills: Can handle the load for a couple of games if needed, but more of a situational chess piece. He has had moments where he has dominated as a pass rusher, but it's never developed into a full-time thing. I haven't given up on that. Good athlete. Can change directions. Smart. Effective in stunts. Not yet 26 years old.
Spotrac estimates 11.3 million over two seasons. PFF aims higher, at $20.25 million for three years ($13.25 million guaranteed).
Best of the rest: Bryce Huff (Jets), Andrew Van Ginkel (Dolphins), Zach Baun (Saints), D.J. Wonnum (Seahawks), Kyle Van Noy (Ravens)
Not listed because I believe they'll get franchise tagged: Brian Burns (Panthers), Josh Allen (Jaguars)
