Free-Agent Contracts Patriots Must Consider Before Training Camp

The New England Patriots opted not to improve their linebacker corps between the 2022 NFL draft and the start of training camp.

Bill Belichick and his staff appear confident in the current group of players they have on the roster, but there could be one or two veteran players that grab their interest on the free-agent market.

As of now, the Patriots are running with Raekwon McMillan and Ja'Whaun Bentley on the inside with Josh Uche and Mack Wilson among the depth pieces at inside linebacker.

The Patriots could be intrigued by one or two veteran inside linebackers on the free-agent market to bolster their depth ahead of their challenge against the Buffalo Bills to win the AFC East.

New England did make one move ahead of training camp to clear up its wide receiver picture, as N'Keal Harry was shipped to the Chicago Bears.

The Patriots appear to be comfortable with De'Vante Parker and Jakobi Meyers leading a receiving corps that also features Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne.

But there is always an outside chance that Belichick lands one of the veteran wide receivers on the free-agent market since offensive depth is vital in a loaded AFC.

Anthony Barr

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 09: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on between plays in the third quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Anthony Barr's eight-year tenure with the Minnesota Vikings ended after the 2022 season.

The 30-year-old could still be a nice piece added to an NFL defense, but he needs to stay healthy.

Barr featured in 13 games over the last two seasons for the Vikings after playing in 85 games in his first six years in the league.

If Barr proves he can stay healthy, he may be a nice pickup for the Patriots. They would have a veteran presence at inside linebacker to work with Raekwon McMillan and Ja'Whaun Bentley.

Despite playing in just 11 games in 2021, Barr made 72 tackles and totaled six quarterback hits.

Bentley had his best season in the NFL in 2021, as he produced 109 tackles, five tackles for loss and five quarterback hits. He enters 2022 with more eyes on him and that may lead to adjusting to working through double teams.

McMillan surged on to the scene in 2018 with the Miami Dolphins with 105 tackles, but he has yet to match that production in the years since his debut.

The Patriots are taking a risk on McMillan being one of their starting linebackers but the talent is there. If he can unlock it, he could be one of the most improved players in 2022.

Since there are some questions surrounding the current inside linebackers, the Patriots could call on Barr for a one-year deal to solidify that spot.

Alexander Johnson

AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 3: Denver Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson (45) makes a stop behind the line on Baltimore Ravens running back Latavius Murray (28) during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, September 3, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Alexander "A.J." Johnson had his 2021 derailed by injuries and that led to him playing six games.

Johnson made 93 tackles in 2019 and 124 tackles in 2020 for the AFC West side. He could be an intriguing fit at middle linebacker to provide the Patriots with more depth there.

Johnson does not carry the same experience level as Barr, but he could be as effective in the heart of the New England defense.

New England would have to weigh the risk of bringing in an experienced linebacker and how it would affect the confidence of the players currently fighting for that position.

McMillan and Bentley deserve a full training camp to work together and prove they can be the ideal tandem for the Patriots, but the team should always have an eye on the free-agent market to see who becomes, or is still, available.

At minimum, the Patriots could bring in someone like Barr or Johnson to provide some extra depth while not cutting into the snaps earned by the starters.

Emmanuel Sanders

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BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Emmanuel Sanders #1 of the Buffalo Bills scores a touchdown against Joejuan Williams #33 of the New England Patriots during the third quarter in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

You may be wondering why the Patriots need another wide receiver.

The team just traded away N'Keal Harry and it has a steady group of veterans in De'Vante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor. Second-round pick Tyquan Thornton can also work his way into the mix.

The reality of the situation is the Patriots are taking a risk with that group to succeed with Mac Jones.

Parker had a single 1,000-yard season in his career and that was back in 2019. He played one full season and two of his last four campaigns featured under 550 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Meyers had a long chronicled trouble getting into the end zone and Bourne and Agholor should be no more than No. 2, or even No. 3, wide receivers at the current stages of their career.

If the Patriots want to go the depth route, they should at least consider someone like Emmanuel Sanders to give them another option for their second-year quarterback.

Sanders would be a risky signing because he is coming off an injury-riddled season, playing just one game, but he has plenty of experience being at the top of the depth chart from his time with Pittsburgh and Denver.

It may be hard to find playing time for every receiver, if Sanders signs, but as Buffalo and Kansas City proved over the last few years, depth, and a lot of it, can win you a boatload of games.