Tag: pending free agents

Projected market value for Patriots’ top pending free agents

The Patriots have multiple in-house free agents they might want to re-sign. Here’s what it could cost them.

Big decisions loom on the horizon for the New England Patriots heading into free agency.

They’re sitting pretty right now with roughly over $100 million in available salary cap space, but they are also a team bogged down with various holes and upgrade needs on their roster.

Free agency isn’t just about paying big money to load up on outside talent. It’s also about keeping the talent you already have to ensure some continuity. Not everything was bad with the 4-13 Patriots, and this isn’t a situation where the organization is looking to throw the entire team away.

There were pieces that stood out as potential parts of an eventual solution in New England. and it now falls on Patriots executive Eliot Wolf and the front office to figure out ways to keep those pieces intact.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Patriots’ top free agents and their projected market values, according to PFF.com and Spotrac.com.

22 Patriots players are pending free agents in 2024

With 22 contracts due in 2024, the struggling Patriots will have some big decisions to make.

Change is coming for the New England Patriots whether it’s by their own choosing or not. They currently have 22 expiring contracts heading into 2024, and some big decisions will have to be made on what to do with them.

The team appears to be on the verge of tanking with a 1-5 record in their first six games of the season. They lack the talent to compete in a loaded AFC East division, and their 2023 schedule is too brutal for any realistic hopes of a turnaround.

What you see is what you get with these Patriots.

There’s also the elephant in the room being Bill Belichick’s future with the team. Is this the year where Robert Kraft finally makes the tough decision to part ways with the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach?

Per Over the Cap, the Patriots are projected to be second only to the Chicago Bears in most projected cap space in the league. So the team is in perfect position to start a complete rebuild, if they so choose. But what would that mean to the pending contracts already on the roster?

Here are the Patriots players with expiring deals in 2024:

30 Patriots players who will be pending free agents in 2024

The Patriots might have to make some tough roster decisions in 2024

The New England Patriots will have some tough decisions to make after the season with 30 players slated to hit free agency.

Some of the names on the list include key playmakers on both sides of the ball, like tight end Hunter Henry, safety Kyle Dugger, offensive tackle Trent Brown, offensive guard Michael Onwenu and burgeoning pass-rusher Josh Uche.

The good news is the Patriots are expected to be one of the richest teams in the league salary cap-wise next year. So they will have plenty of money to play with in an effort to keep all of their key free agents. They’ve already started in that regard in recent contract extensions for wide receiver DeVante Parker and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley.

Here are 30 Patriots players who will be pending free agents in 2024 (via Spotrac):

1 pending free agent Chargers should target: NFC West Edition

Listing one free agent from the Rams, Cardinals, 49ers and Seahawks who could be a fit for the Chargers.

The Chargers won’t be as aggressive as they have been in recent years when it comes to signing free agents.

While they’re cash-strapped, general manager Tom Telesco will likely make some moves to have some spendings available to them so they can sign some low-cost players.

That said, I will list one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A.

Next up is the NFC West.

One free agent each team should want to sign in 2022

Every team gets better or worse in the offseason. If each team were to sign this one free agent, they’d definitely improve.

There are only four teams left fighting for Super Bowl LVI, which means 28 teams are deeply engrossed in the Business Season of the NFL. The first major tentpole event of that season is free agency, which begins at 4 p.m. ET March 16. Teams are aware of the salary cap for the 2022 season, and are planning to build out their rosters accordingly.

We’ve decided to give them some help. Cap and negotiations aside, we’ve determined one pending free agent (as of the time of publication) that isn’t currently on each team for each team.

Based on our results, expect hot markets for CB J.C. Jackson, WR Mike Williams and DT Akiem Hicks — none of which should be considered a surprise for anyone. There are interesting names that might not be the first considered in such an exercise, but compelling arguments are made.

Agree? Disagree? Sound off in the comments, or give us a tweet @NFLWire

2020 NFL Free Agency: Saints wish list must start with Patriots’ Joe Thuney

The New Orleans Saints must pursue New England Patriots guard Joe Thuney, an elite talent in free agency, if they’re serious about improving

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There could be a mass exodus out of the New England Patriots this offseason, with franchise quarterback Tom Brady among a crowd of pending free agents who might play elsewhere in 2020. That creates several interesting opportunities for the New Orleans Saints to improve. Here’s who might become available in March:

  • DE Keionta Davis (RFA)
  • DT Danny Shelton
  • DT Adam Butler (RFA)
  • FS Devin McCourty
  • FS Nate Ebner
  • K Nick Folk
  • LB Jamie Collins
  • LB Shilique Calhoun
  • LB Elandon Roberts
  • LB Kyle Van Noy
  • OC James Ferentz
  • OC Ted Karras
  • OG Joe Thuney
  • OG Jermaine Eluemunor (RFA)
  • OT Marshall Newhouse
  • QB Tom Brady
  • TE Benjamin Watson
  • WR Matthew Slater
  • WR Phillip Dorsett

Naturally, the wish list of Saints targets on this list starts with Joe Thuney. He’s one of the NFL’s elite guards, an ironman at the position who rarely leaves the field, and figures to get paid like it. The Saints have shown a willingness to invest tons of salary cap resources to guards in the past (which is vital with a smaller-statured pocket passer in Drew Brees), so they can’t be ruled out in the Thuney sweepstakes. It would be great to pair him up in practice with nose tackle Malcom Brown again, as two upper-tier trench players with real playoffs experience.

Also, keep an eye on linebackers Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy. The Saints are hazardously thin at the position with both Alex Anzalone and Kiko Alonso returning from season-ending injuries, and either of the Patriots veterans would make sense as dynamic additions next to Demario Davis. The only concern is that their market prices may be prohibitive (especially in Van Noy’s case, as he doesn’t figure to lack for suitors).

Phillip Dorsett shouldn’t be overlooked. The Saints were very high on him in the 2015 NFL Draft, but the Indianapolis Colts snapped him up a few picks before New Orleans settled for Stephone Anthony. Neither player has really impressed in the NFL, but another change of scenery could be what Dorsett needs to revitalize his career before it’s too late.

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2020 NFL Free Agency: Top Panthers targets for the Saints

The Carolina Panthers have several pending free agents for the New Orleans Saints to consider, such as James Bradberry and Chris Hogan.

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The New Orleans Saints are hard at work evaluating their pending free agents and considering who might become available around the league, and we’re taking the same approach. We’ll be continuing our team-by-team preview of every team’s potential free agent class in the weeks leading up to NFL’s new fiscal year. Today, that means surveying the Carolina Panthers free agents.

  • CB James Bradberry
  • CB Javien Elliott
  • DT Vernon Butler
  • DT Kyle Love
  • DT Stacy McGee
  • DL Gerald McCoy
  • FS Tre Boston
  • G Greg Van Roten
  • OLB Mario Addison
  • OLB Bruce Irvin
  • RT Daryl Williams
  • TE Greg Olsen
  • WR Chris Hogan
  • DT Dontari Poe (Club Option)
  • WR Jarius Wright (Club Option)
  • WR DeAndrew White (RFA)
  • TE Dillon Gordon (RFA)
  • QB Kyle Allen (ERFA)
  • G Brandon Greene (ERFA)
  • G Kitt O’Brien (ERFA)
  • TE Marcus Baugh (ERFA)
  • CB Cole Luke (ERFA)

The name to watch here may be James Bradberry. He’s had some good games against the Saints before, but more importantly has been a consistently productive cover corner in a tough division. His best games have come against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including a 2019 matchup in which he intercepted two passes and deflected two others. That experience against common opponents means he could help the Saints right away. The Saints are running thin at cornerback with just three corners under contract right now (being Marshon Lattimore, Janoris Jenkins, and Patrick Robinson) so we can expect some additions to the depth chart. No Panthers cornerback logged more coverage snaps than Bradberry 9614) in 2019, and Pro Football Focus credited him with the team’s second-best coverage grade.

Another name to monitor is Chris Hogan, the veteran wideout who was limited by a knee injury. Before joining the Panthers, Hogan was a well-regarded downfield threat who averaged 15.4 yards per catch the previous three years with the New England Patriots. He’s got good hands (62.3% career catch rate) and could be exactly what the Saints need to revive the vertical passing game. The questions have to surround his health and his age; he’ll turn 33 in October. Hogan should not be New Orleans’ first choice in free agency (or even one of their top choices), but he’s someone to keep in mind after the first wave or two of big signings is finalized.

Other Panthers free agents who could fit the Saints: free safety Tre Boston, defensive lineman Gerald McCoy, and defensive tackle Vernon Butler. Greg Olsen is a first-team All-Saints-Killer, but he’s not what the team needs right now at tight end.

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Super Bowl 2020: 4 pending free agents for the Saints to target

The New Orleans Saints will be watching pending free agents like Chiefs DL Chris Jones and 49ers WR Emmanuel Sanders in Super Bowl LIV.

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The New Orleans Saints will be bystanders during Super Bowl LIV, but the title game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers gives them an opportunity to do some advance scouting — both teams are on the Saints’ schedule for 2020. However, it’s also a time for the Saints to get a last look at several veteran players headed for free agency in March, providing possible upgrades for New Orleans. Here are four names we’ll be watching

49ers WR Emmanuel Sanders

Sanders is someone who’s been on New Orleans’ radar for a long time, going back to his first brush with free agency after starting his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sanders’ talents were on full display in this year’s Saints-49ers boat race, in which the crafty route-runner caught 7 of 9 targets for a season-high 157 receiving yards. He’s exactly what the Saints need opposite Michael Thomas. The questions surround whether the 49ers will allow him to test free agency after trading multiple draft picks for him, and how much attention he’ll receive on the free agent market as one of the few proven quantities available.

49ers DL Arik Armstead

Just 26, Armstead would be a great boost to an already-stout Saints defensive line — but he won’t be added so easily. Armstead broke out in 2019 with 10 sacks and 54 total tackles, taking advantage of the extra attention drawn by teammates like DeForest Buckner, Dee Ford, and Nick Bosa. He figures to be one of the highest-paid defensive tackles on the market, and the Saints would only consider signing him if they’re comfortable letting co-starters David Onyemata and Sheldon Rankins leave during this coming signing period and the next, respectively.

Chiefs CB Bashaud Breeland

The Saints will make changes to the cornerback position; they have to, with just three corners under contract right now in Marshon Lattimore, Janoris Jenkins, and Patrick Robinson. Breeland would make sense as a starting-quality option who might be cheaper than high-priced veterans Jenkins and Robinson, but the Saints could struggle to fit all three of them under the salary cap (not to mention Lattimore’s looming big contract extension). It is a little concerning that Breeland is already on his third team in as many years with Kansas City.

Chiefs DL Chris Jones

This is the same situation as Armstead, but moreso: Jones has been one of the NFL’s best defenders in recent years, racking up 24.5 sacks in his last 29 games. He’d be an easy fit in New Orleans at the three-technique spot, which Onyemata is set to vacate in free agency. While Shy Tuttle is natural fill-in for Onyemata while Rankins continues to rehab from another lower-leg injury (in a contract year, no less), Jones would be such a big addition that Tuttle could remain a rotational piece, which might be his best usage right now. But will the Saints break the bank for Jones, or any other high-priced free agents?

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Drew Brees: not a matter of ‘if,’ but ‘when’ he re-signs with Saints

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees didn’t characterize his pending free agent status as any different than past years at the 2020 Pro Bowl.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees sure doesn’t sound like someone who’s ready to call it a day after nearly two decades in the NFL. Brees, 41, is a pending free agent in March and has several potential avenues ahead of him: re-signing with New Orleans, joining a new squad in free agency, or quietly retiring from football. But when asked how he was feeling about his relationship with the Saints — and whether things have changed from his previous stance of staying as long as they’ll have him, Brees may over tipped his hand a little.

“Each one of these contracts, I don’t know how many it’s been, I’ve played with them 14 years. Each one it’s just not a matter of ‘if’ it gets done, it’s ‘when,'” Brees told NFL Network’s Jane Slater during an interview after Thursday’s Pro Bowl practice. “You know obviously at this stage of my career it’s not a given that I’m coming back every year but when that time comes, I’ll always be a Saint.”

That feels like a quarterback who’s preparing for year No. 20 in the NFL, and No. 15 in New Orleans. Brees has been the face of the Saints franchise throughout his tenure, shattering more all-time records than anyone to come before him. With other aging passers like Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and maybe Tom Brady moving on from their old teams, it wouldn’t be a huge shock if Brees joined them in what’s looking like a mass exodus. But from the way he’s talking about the situation, fans can probably expect him to compete for one more Super Bowl title before it’s all said and done.

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