Five Biggest Free Agency Moves: New England Patriots
With free agency now into its fourth week as April’s Draft draws closer, it’s time to start reviewing which teams filled some needs and who got weaker. Here are the five biggest free agency moves for each team so far.
Even after winning their fifth Super Bowl, Bill Belichick and the Patriots have not stood still. New England has been more aggressive than usual in free agency and took the rest of the league by surprise. And there are still two rumoured potential trades on the table involving quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and cornerback Malcolm Butler. Here are New England’s five biggest free agency moves:
1 — Re-signing Dont’a Hightower
Even though the Patriots didn’t franchise Hightower and let him test the open market, there was very little doubt of the linebacker returning to New England. Hightower fits Belichick’s scheme perfectly but is also a true team leader; he galvanised the defense when down 25 points against Atlanta in the Super Bowl and made a couple of the comeback’s most pivotal plays after also playing a key role in the Super Bowl win against Seattle in 2014. Hightower returns on a four year, $43.5 million deal that is significantly cheaper than the top market value.
2 — Trading for Brandin Cooks
Trade rumours involving Cooks started last season when he publicly complained about his role in the Saints’ offense. The Patriots surprised many as the team who traded for him, sending New Orleans the 32nd overall pick and swapping a third rounder for a fourth. Cooks gives Tom Brady his most dangerous vertical weapon since Randy Moss, and gives New England’s passing attack even more punch. With Cooks lined up alongside a healthy Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots boast one of the best offenses in the league.
3 — Signing Stephon Gilmore
Belichick is one of the best in the league at addressing weaknesses in the off-season. Although the Patriots had the top scoring defense in the league, they struggled against tall powerful number one receivers like Julio Jones. Gilmore is a big, physical but inconsistent corner. The Patriots caught the league off guard when they gave the Bills’ former first round pick a five year, $65 million contract. Belichick is the best at getting consistency from inconsistent players, and the Patriots could field the league’s best secondary if they manage to retain Malcolm Butler.
4 — Trading for Dwayne Allen
The Patriots knew they couldn’t afford to keep tight end Martellus Bennett, so found a younger, cheaper replacement in Dwayne Allen after sending a fourth round pick to Indianapolis. Allen is a good all-round player who can block as well as being a weapon in the passing game, especially in the redzone. Pairing Allen with Gronkowski once again gives New England one of the league’s best tight end duos.
5 — Reloading the defensive line
The defensive line rotation was one of New England’s strengths last year, but saw key contributors Jabaal Sheard (Colts) and Chris Long (Eagles) leave in free agency. The Patriots re-signed run-stuffing defensive tackle Alan Branch (two years, $12 million) before signing former Ravens defensive end Lawrence Guy (four years, $20 million) and trading for Carolina’s Kony Ealy by swapping a second round pick for a third rounder.
