Home NFL 3 key free agent targets for the New England Patriots

3 key free agent targets for the New England Patriots

Top free agent targets for the Patriots

By: Jake Rajala

Bill Belichick had a losing season in 2020 for the first time since 2000. It didn’t take long for the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach to raise his team from the ashes.

The New England Patriots had an impressive 2021 season, as they went 10-7 with the rookie quarterback Mac Jones. The Pats QB threw 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and ousted a 67.6% completion percentage (second-best completion percentage ever for a rookie). The Pats also made a trip to the playoffs, but they didn’t finish on a good note, as they lost to the Buffalo Bills in the wildcard round.

Bill Belichick saw Tom Brady win a Super Bowl out of his palace, so he’s still looking for his SB ring without TB12. Belichick will surely look to take the Pats upwards in 2022. The Pats HC and GM will look to free agency to help Mac Jones and his prized defense. So, who will attract the Patriots attention this offseason? Well, here are a few golden choices for the AFC competitors.

Chris Godwin

Chris Godwin might be a very shiny free agent, but the marriage between Godwin and Mac Jones makes a ton of sense. Godwin would get to play with an ascending, competitive team and be the focal point of the Pats offense. Nelson Agholor hasn’t been the free-agent signing they wished for (473 yards, 3 touchdowns). He also is a potential roster cut, as he signed a 2-year, 24-million dollar deal in the 2021 offseason.

Godwin is still in the prime of his career and it seems unlikely he will return to the Tom Brady-less Buccaneers. The Bucs slot WR has two seasons of 1,100+ yards and 5+ touchdowns in the past four years. Godwin is worth the money for the Pats team that will need to go blow for blow with Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen.

Sheldon Richardson

The former first-round pick could be a nice fit for the Pats defensive line in New England. Sheldon Richardson has 7 sacks and 23 QB hits in the last two seasons combined. Richardson could be the value signing that Belichick is looking for, as he can be a force in the run and pass game. He won’t require a salary that a defensive lineman like Akiem Hicks would attract.

The Pats gave up the 11th most rushing yards in the 2021 season. Christian Barmore and Davon Godchauk are quality run pluggers, but they could benefit from more pass rush on the inside. The two IDL combined for 2.5 sacks in 2021. Even a run-stopping defensive lineman like Vince Wilfork doesn’t prevent the need for a quality pass rush from the middle.

Richard Sherman

The former Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl champion could be fascinated by Bill Belichick’s persona and the Pats could be intrigued by his talent at their CB need position. Sherman is 33 years old, but that didn’t stop him from joining the hungry Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad. Sherman could switch from Brady to Belichick in a short span.

Out of all the playoff teams, I believe the Pats are the best fit for the former Stanford CB. I expect him to wait for the right fit, as well. He will want to play for a Super Bowl ring and the Patriots can be his next destination. He was a Pro Bowl CB in 2019 and he was making plays before his injury last season. The Pats may not sign him early or in the middle of free agency, but I believe they could agree to a deal before training camp.

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