It’s May.
That’s probably what Bill Belichick would say when asked how he feels about the state of the New England Patriots’ roster. The implication is that regular-season games don’t start until September, which is a long way away. There is plenty of time for team-building, which could include trades and free agent. That said, the draft is complete. The window where free agents count against the compensatory pick formula will come to a close on May 7, so New England may make a second foray into free agency to fill more holes.
Here’s a look at some of the top free agents that might fit in New England, ranked from least likely to most likely.
11. Dez Bryant, WR: There’s a contingent of you (helpfully small) that are yelling at your screen: Bryant in New England?! No way. The Patriots, however, are loading up on big, versatile receivers in Josh Gordon, Demaryius Thomas and N’Keal Harry. Every one of them comes with some upside and some risk. If Bryant would take a veteran minimum deal, the Patriots might be interested in trying him out as a big slot.
10. Mo Wilkerson, DE/DT: The Patriots are still looking for versatile defensive linemen that could play both defensive end and defensive tackle. Wilkerson’s play has declined in recent years, but he’s not washed up. The Patriots would make him a role player at multiple positions along the defensive line.
9. Shane Ray, LB: Ray’s fit with New England is tricky. He’s more of a situational pass-rusher from the linebacker position. New England has gone to more of a four-man front in recent years (a.k.a a 4-3 defense). Ray, meanwhile, is more of a 3-4 linebacker. But Belichick has taken oddities and figured out how to use them in outside-the-box ways. Ray’s value has probably dropped low enough to the point where Belichick could experiment with low risk.
8. Jamie Collins, OLB: A reunion? The divorce was a bit awkward and, if nothing else, abrupt. But if Collins is desperate for a new home, Belichick might take him. The problem for Collins, however, would be that he’ll have a hard time making the roster, with the Patriots’ linebacker corps looking solid. An injury would make this pairing more likely.
7. Dominique Easley, DT/DE: Another reunion? Again, the Patriots had an unfortunate breakup with Easley. He struggled with maturity and professionalism in New England, according to The Boston Globe. But people grow, and perhaps Easley, humbled by his NFL journey, has the proper attitude as a 27-year-old. Putting aside any potential character issues, Easley would provide depth on the Patriots on the defensive line.
6. Corey Grant, RB: He has had a few good games against the Patriots, with three receptions for 59 yards in a playoff game in 2017 and six receptions for 56 yards in 2018. He might be a compelling depth option as a pass-catching running back.
5. Alan Bailey, DE: The Patriots visited with Bailey in April, and they still don’t have a contract. That’s not necessarily a positive sign, but it did show that they were interested. If he joined New England, Bailey could earn a situational role at defensive end, which is wide open aside from Michael Bennett.
4. Nick Perry, DE/OLB: Another versatile defender, Perry was an up-and-coming player in 2016 when he logged 11 sacks. Since then, he’s recorded just 8.5 sacks in two seasons. Injuries have slowed him down, but perhaps the Patriots could buy-low to try him at defensive end.
3. Albert McClellan, special teams: New England added specialists Terrence Brooks and Brandon Bolden this offseason. But Belichick was probably very unhappy with his special teams play in 2018, and McClellin, who joined the team midseason, was a pleasant surprise. If the money was right, he’d be a welcome addition.
2. Benjamin Watson, TE: Would he come out of retirement for a year in New England? The Patriots picked Watson at 32nd overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. Because he knows the system and the culture, New England might give Watson a one-year whirl.
1. Jared Veldheer, OT: He recently visited with the Patriots. He didn’t come away with a contract, but the Patriots’ tackle situation a bit uncertain. At left tackle, they will likely have Isaiah Wynn, a 2018 first-round pick who tore his Achilles and missed his entire rookie season. At right tackle, the Patriots will have returning starter Marcus Cannon, who hasn’t played a full season since 2014. Another veteran tackle makes sense.
