Amid the current pandemic, the NFL has changed some of the guidelines surrounding training camp. In the past, teams were required to report to training camp 15 days before their preseason opener.
This season however, 28 teams now must report July 28, which is 47 or 48 days before the opening week of the regular season. Teams playing Sunday, September 13, are required to report to camp 47 days before their opener, while teams scheduled to play Monday, September 14, are required to report 48 days beforehand. With almost every team set to report to camp at the end of July – including the Patriots – many hot ticket free agents still remain on the market and could possibly find themselves at 1 Patriot Place by August.
And with NFL facilities beginning to reopen, the Patriots might be able to bring in these players for workouts or physicals, a piece that has been missing during this free agency process. Keep in mind that these are high-budget options, and that the Patriots would have to tweak their salary cap space to add these veterans.
DL Damon “Snacks” Harrison
Harrison is a mammoth of a human. Standing at 6 foot 3 inches, and weighing in at 350 pounds, Harrison is the ultimate nose guard. For comparison, Vince Wilfork was an inch shorter, and weighed 25 pounds less. Harrison spent four years with the Jets after going undrafted in 2012. He signed with the Giants before the 2016 season and would finish as an All-Pro that season. After two and a half seasons with the Giants, Harrison was shipped to the Lions where he played under former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Unfortunately for Harrison, the Patriots defensive line is already big – both in terms of depth at the position and physical size. Beau Allen, Adam Butler, and Byron Cowart currently sit on the depth chart for the nose tackle spot. Harrison is 31-years old.
DE Cameron Wake
Wake is one of, if not the oldest free agent on the market at 38 years old. Patriots fans should also be very familiar with Wake as he was a constant menace with his time with Dolphins. Even at 38 years-old, Wake has shown he can still produce, registering 2.5 sacks in 9 games with the Titans last season. Head coach Bill Belichick is no stranger to signing aging veterans who he feels can still contribute, such as James Harrison, Steven Jackson, Chad Johnson, and Reggie Wayne. Wake is tied for the 31st most sacks all time with 100.5. If Wake was first signed, then was able to make the 53-man roster, he would likely rotate with the team’s other edge rushers.
LB Clay Matthews
According ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, back in May the Patriots had interest in signing Matthews. However, after drafting Michigan linebacker Josh Uche with the 60th overall pick, the hype seemingly died down. Matthews, and his signature long blond hair, was a key member to the Packers defense for 11 seasons, followed by a quick stint with the Rams last season. If Matthews were to join the Patriots, he would be playing next to fellow linebacker Chase Winovich, who also shares a flowing blond mane. Matthews sits at 91.5 career sacks at the age of 34.
WR Paul Richardson
Richardson is entering his 7th season in the league after being selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Seahawks. With the combination of speed and superb route running skills, Richardson could be a great tool for quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Before being signed by the Redskins for the 2018 season, Richard registered 44 catches for 702 yards and 6 touchdowns the season prior. As the Patriots continue to try and surround Stidham with talent – which already consists of receivers Julian Edelman, Mohammed Sanu, Marqise Lee, and Damiere Byrd – Richardson could absolutely be someone Belichick bring’s in to compete for the 4th or 5th wide receiver spot. Richardson is 28-years old.
RB Devonta Freeman
Freeman currently sits as the top running back in free agency. With Sony Michel recovering from foot surgery over the offseason, perhaps it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for the Patriots to bring in some more depth this summer at the running back position. Patriots fans are of course no stranger to Freeman as he was the Falcons primary running back in Super Bowl LI, registering 11 carries for 75 yards on the ground and a touchdown, as well as 2 receptions for 46 yards in the air. The Falcons opted not to re-sign Freeman at the end of last season, and instead signed former Rams running back Todd Gurley. Freeman is 28 years old.
