Bargain-Bin Free Agents New England Patriots Should Target to Fill Biggest Needs
If there's one thing we have learned about the New England Patriots over the years, it's that the team doesn't take a conventional approach to roster construction. This can make it quite difficult to predict what the team is going to do when it comes to NFL free agency.
Last offseason, the Patriots made some key moves that didn't look so big at the time. They traded for tight end Martellus Bennett, signed restricted free agent Chris Hogan to an offer sheet and scooped up aging pass-rusher Chris Long after trading away Chandler Jones. None of these moves broke the bank or grabbed a ton of headlines, but all of them helped the Patriots win another Super Bowl.
This is precisely why we shouldn't expect the Patriots to go chasing big-name free agents this offseason. If New England spends big dollars on the open market, it will likely to be to retain players like Dont'a Hightower or Logan Ryan.
This doesn't mean the Patriots can't or won't pick up some key external pieces. Let's take a look at some potential "bargain" free agents the team should target. We'll steer away from the big names expected to be on the market and focus on players the Patriots could be able to sign on the cheap.
James Starks, Running Back
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It would seem like a good idea for the Patriots to simply re-sign LeGarrette Blount to a team-friendly deal—he played on a $1 million contract last season. However, Yahoo NFL writer Charles Robinson believes the Patriots are preparing to lose Blount in free agency.
This could mean New England is planning on targeting a running back in the draft who can step in and fill Blount's role as the power rusher. Even if the Patriots do draft a running back early, they would be wise to scoop up some cheap veteran insurance at the position.
This is where former Green Bay Packers back James Starks comes in. He was banged up and ineffective in 2016—plus he just turned 31—so his value isn't likely to be high on the open market. However, Starks could fill a couple of valuable roles for the Patriots.
For starters, he has the experience to be a mentor to any back the Patriots do decide to draft. He is also a capable pass-catchers, as evidenced by the 43 receptions he logged two seasons ago.
Plus, Starks is a bigger back (6'2", 218 lbs) who could fill the Blount role in a spot-starting situation if need be. He has a solid 4.1 yards-per-carry average to go with an 8.1 yards-per-reception average.
The Patriots might be able to land Starks for even less than the $1 million they paid Blount last season.
Tim Hightower, Running Back
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New England seems to have no problems with signing players entering the back end of their careers and getting something great out of them. This is why soon-to-be 31-year-old Tim Hightower is another potential bargain option.
Hightower has already seen a career resurgence over the past two seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He is also a fairly complete back, rushing for 4.1 yards per carry and amassing 200 yards receiving last season.
Like Starks, Hightower would bring some veteran presence to the New England backfield. He is also a stout back (6'0", 220 lbs) that could fill the Blount early-down role if needed.
Perhaps the thing that might interest the Patriots the most, though, is the fact that when Hightower joined the Saints in 2015, he had been out of the NFL for three seasons. He likely has a hunger to prove himself that would endear him to teammates. He has also logged just 229 NFL carries over the past five years, which means his body doesn't have the same wear and tear as most backs his age.
Hightower's base salary was just $760,000 last season.
Terence Newman, Cornerback
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If the Patriots are going to consider aging veterans for a 2017 run, they should really consider 38-year-old cornerback Terence Newman. Newman will actually turn 39 in September, so the Pats might not exactly be throwing money in his direction.
Newman proved last season, though, that he can very much keep up with the youngsters at the cornerback position. In 2016, Newman produced 38 tackles, eight passes defended and an interception. Pro Football Focus rated him eighth overall among all cornerbacks for the season.
Cornerback depth has to be a concern for the Patriots with Logan Ryan potentially leaving in free agency. Newman would likely only be a one-year option, but he could be a valuable bridge if New England drafts a cornerback early.
According to Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer believe Newman still wants to play but isn't sure if the Vikings want him back.
"I don't think we've totally decided on anything," Zimmer said, per Vensel.
Newman could give the Patriots value in the secondary, while New England would give Newman one last legitimate shot at a Super Bowl ring.
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Captain Munnerlyn, Cornerback
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If New England doesn't want a player as old as Newman, another option might be Captain Munnerlyn, a 2016 teammate of his. He'll turn 29 next month.
While Munnerlyn might be only a nickelback in New England's defense, this is a position that has become extremely important in today's NFL. Plus, Munnerlyn is quite good at it. Pro Football Focus rated him 55th overall among all corners last season.
Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press has reported that the Vikings are interested in bringing Munnerlyn back, but they want to wait and gauge his market value first. This suggests that Munnerlyn won't be as cheap as a guy like Newman on the open market.
However, Munnerlyn would likely be a much cheaper option than guys like Ryan, Prince Amukamara, Stephon Gilmore and A.J. Bouye.
Kevin Minter, Inside Linebacker
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Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Kevin Minter should be a hot commodity on the open market this offseason. He's just 26 years old and he is coming off a season in which he was rated 24th overall among inside linebackers by Pro Football Focus.
However, his pending free agency has largely been overshadowed by Dont'a Hightower.
If the Patriots decide they don't want to overpay in order to keep Hightower, Minter could be the perfect replacement option. While he might not be as impactful as Hightower, Minter has proved he can still be a productive player.
Last season, Minter produced 85 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two passes defended.
Given Minter's age and proven production, he might not be the cheapest option available on the open market. However, he would likely look like a massive bargain next to the contract eventually given out to Hightower.
Gavin Escobar, Tight End
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Even after the Patriots are expected to acquire Dwayne Allen via trade, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, they may be looking to add additional depth. One option might be Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar.
Escobar, who was a second-round pick in 2013, never lived up to his draft status in Dallas. However, he has tremendous size (6'6", 260 lbs) and ball skills.
"Maybe the best ball skills of any of them. This kid's got great ball skills. He's a gifted hands catcher. He will be a great short and intermediate catcher for the Dallas Cowboys," NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock said of Escobar coming out of the 2013 draft.
Alas, Escobar only caught 30 passes for 333 yards in four seasons with the Cowboys. However, eight of his 30 receptions were for touchdowns.
Given Escobar's lack of overall production, he should be a player the Patriots could pick up for cheap. This means the risk of acquiring him should be extremely low. Given Escobar's age (he turned 26 in February) and potential upside, the reward could be huge.
This is a possible reclamation project the Patriots should definitely look into. At the absolute worst, Tom Brady would end up with another Gronkowski-sized tight end to utilize in the red zone.
Andrew Hawkins, Wide Receiver
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Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins isn't one of the biggest names—or biggest receivers—on the open market. Yet, he is a guy the Patriots absolutely should consider bringing in.
While Hawkins is undersized at just 5'7" and 180 pounds, he is a quick, shifty slot receiver with a lot of after-the-catch ability. If almost seems like Hawkins is custom-built for the Patriots offense. It also seems like the Patriots are a team Hawkins would love to join.
Hawkins recently asked for and was granted his release from Cleveland so he could try to play the next phase of his career with a contender. Could that contender be the Patriots? Well, Hawkins at least seems to be a fan of Brady.
"He's the G.O.A.T.," Hawkins told TMZ Sports about Brady last month. "No doubt. And I hate it. He's so good I hate it. You don't talk bad about Tom, man."
If the Patriots decide to part ways with Danny Amendola this offseason—he's due $6 million in base salary in 2017—Hawkins could be the perfect value replacement. Given his desire to sign with a contender and his clear respect for Brady, Hawkins would likely agree to a very team-friendly deal.
If we're connecting dots here, let's also consider that head coach Bill Belichick seems to have a thing for former Browns players. Dion Lewis, Jabaal Sheard and Barkevious Mingo all came from Cleveland and played for the Patriots last season.
All contract information via Spotrac.
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