Weighing the Pros and Cons of New England Patriots' Top Free-Agent Targets

The New England Patriots are hardly ever involved in the discussion among teams seeking top-dollar free agents, and that's especially the case this season with so much talk surrounding two impending Patriots free agents in cornerback Darrelle Revis and safety Devin McCourty.

That being said, the Patriots are always looking for ways to enhance their roster in all phases of the offseason—draft, trade and free agency—and while they make take an unconventional approach by waiting for the second tier of free agency before making any moves, it's been a proven formula for them for years.

Now, the Patriots may not be out there spending top dollar on the biggest names on the open market, but they will at least address their biggest concerns with players who fill needs and project to be fits in their system.

Here's a look at the pros and cons of some of the players the Patriots could be pursuing this offseason. 

Niles Paul, TE, Washington Redskins

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Pros

The Patriots have been trying to fill the "move" tight end role in their offense ever since Aaron Hernandez got arrested for the alleged murder of Odin Lloyd. Washington Redskins tight end Niles Paul may not be the sexiest name for potentially filling that void, but with the Patriots' current cap limitations, he would be worth a shot.

The fourth-year tight end hauled in 39 passes for 507 yards and a touchdown in what was a career year. Fortunately for Paul, his selling point will be his potential, which he only began to realize when he was properly utilized by head coach Jay Gruden. 

Cons

At 6'1" and 241 pounds, Paul is versatile between positions, but not so much between run blocking and pass catching. The Patriots would be paying for a player who can line up all over the field but may not be able to do everything they want their tight ends to do.

The other concern with Paul is that he only has one year of solid production in the NFL. He was moderately productive at the college level, and it has taken him until now to even come close to the kind of pedestrian numbers he was putting up at Nebraska.

What's more, the Patriots made a trade for tight end Tim Wright just days prior to the 2014 season, and while the trade may not have paid the immediate dividends the Patriots had hoped it would, Wright has not had a real chance to prove himself as a fit in the offense. Give him at least one offseason in the system before moving in another direction.

Final Verdict: Leave It

Clint Boling, OG, Cincinnati Bengals

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Pros

The Patriots have always valued versatility in their offensive linemen, and with question marks on the inside, Cincinnati Bengals lineman Clint Boling could provide an answer at multiple positions. The four-year offensive lineman has primarily played left guard but has also lined up at right tackle and at right guard in his career.

The 6'5", 310-pound guard has a level of nastiness that is missing from the Patriots offensive line. He can finish blocks in the running game and also has light feet to pass-protect against interior rushers. The Patriots could use an upgrade in both areas.

Cons

Boling had a torn ACL that ended his 2013 season in December, and while he recovered quickly enough to be back on the field for training camp, there could be concerns over whether the knee will stand the test of time. 

That being said, he could have a strong market for his talent alone, which would drive his price tag up and would make it harder for the Patriots to sign him. 

The Patriots already have some contractual issues coming up with their offensive linemen, including Dan Connolly this year, Nate Solder next year and Sebastian Vollmer the following year. Now may not be the time to invest big money into a lineman. But with so many questions on the line, what better time than now?

Final Verdict: Take It

Kenrick Ellis, NT, New York Jets

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Pros 

The Jets have one of the more talented defensive lines in the league, featuring first-round picks Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson at the defensive end spots along with undrafted maven Damon Harrison at nose tackle. With all that talent, Kenrick Ellis never had an easy time cracking the starting lineup.

That being said, he still has plenty of mileage left on his engine, after playing only 676 snaps in his first four seasons, according to ProFootballFocus.com, with most of his work coming as a run-stuffing nose tackle. The Jets may not have room for him, but the Patriots would welcome his gap-plugging abilities with their lack of depth at defensive tackle. 

Cons

Ellis is far from an "answer" to the Patriots' problems at nose tackle. With Vince Wilfork getting closer and closer to the end of his storied career, the Patriots need someone who can consistently plug those lanes in run defense.  

There's also the concern that he hasn't been able to earn much playing time over the years. As mentioned, some of that lack of playing time could be attributed to the Jets' stacked defensive line, but he was never able to emerge out of his role as a run defender only.

If the Patriots think Ellis can play a big role in their defense, he would be worth a contract as a low-risk, high-reward option on the open market. 

Final Verdict: Take It

Nate Allen, S, Philadelphia Eagles

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Pros

Eagles safety Nate Allen enters his sixth season and has been the full-time starter each of those seasons. This includes some position changes between free safety and strong safety that have helped Allen become just the kind of versatile defensive back the Patriots covet on the back end.

At 6'1" and 210 pounds, Allen's size makes him a capable run defender, but he has the play recognition and speed to hold his own in deep coverage. He also may not have hit his ceiling just yet, due to a revolving door of coordinators and teammates in the secondary.

Cons

The Eagles' team pass defense was not good last year, allowing the second-most passing yards per game to their opponents. The Eagles also yielded 72 pass plays of 20 yards or more in 2014, the most in the NFL by a wide margin. 

There were also some off-field issues around Allen that led to his release from Philadelphia stemming from an incident in Florida where he was accused of indecent exposure. Allen's name has since been cleared of all charges, so he should avoid any suspensions from the NFL. 

Final Verdict: Take It

Percy Harvin, WR, New York Jets

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Pros

The Patriots could have an opportunity to sign a player they've shown interest in acquiring in the past, even dating back to the 2009 draft. With talented receivers like Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell already in the mix, Percy Harvin would provide a "gadget player" unlike any other on the roster (save perhaps Edelman and his rediscovered ability to throw the ball). 

Their need for a receiver could become even greater if they end up moving on from Amendola, whose $5.7 million cap hit could be reduced to $3.6 million in dead money if the Patriots cut him. 

Cons

One of the most glaring cons is that Harvin is not yet a free agent. The Jets have reportedly been trying to reach a new deal with Harvin to lower his cap hit, and they want to reach a final verdict on Harvin's status by March 19, according to ESPN's Ed Werder. However, according to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, it would be a shocker if Harvin agrees to a pay cut. 

Another is his long history of injuries. Harvin has dealt with hamstrings, concussions and everything in between. From 2012 to 2014, he has played in 23 of a possible 48 regular-season games, which is less than 50 percent. 

Final Verdict: Leave It

Unless otherwise noted, all salary cap and contract information provided by Spotrac.