Patriots Free Agency 2016: Five Players For New England to Target

Despite all the news of signings and trades and cuts and all that good stuff, the NFL’s offseason doesn’t technically start until today at 4 p.m. eastern standard time. That means, really, anything can happen when the clock strikes four.

So, will the New England Patriots be players once free agency starts today? You never know with Bill Belichick. He could surprise you and sign a higher end free agent, or he could go the typical Belichick route and grab the low-value, low-price guy that becomes a superstar in New England.

One thing I’ve learned as a Patriots fan in the Belichick era is to expect nothing in particular, but expect it to work.

With that said, here are five players the Patriots could land before the offseason is over (in no particular order):

Mohamed Sanu, WR

The Patriots were interested in former Cincinnati Bengal Marvin Jones, but Jones landed in Detroit on Wednesday. So what’s next? With Brandon LaFell out of the mix, the Patriots need another wide receiver and it seems another former Bengal — Mohamed Sanu — is a potential target. There is mutual interest between Sanu and the Patriots, reportedly. Sanu would be a bigger target for Brady (6’2″) and could be that down-the-field threat the Patriots have lacked since Randy Moss.

Anquan Boldin, WR

So we know the Patriots need a wide receiver. They’ve needed one since LaFell disappeared off the face of the earth last season. So how about a nice veteran presence? Anquan Boldin is a Patriots killer, but more than that he’s reliable. Boldin, likely, wouldn’t take much money. He isn’t as fast as he used to be, but Brady would undoubtedly connect quickly with the veteran. And we know that’s all Brady really needs to make it work (and a set of hands).

Nate Ebner, S

Here’s the only guy to appear on this list that was a Patriot last season. Ebner isn’t a starting safety, but he’s a special teams force. Bill Belichick loves that about Ebner. Belichick will pay Ebner on that alone. However, we did see Ebner play some defense last year and in some important situations. He’s a lot like Mathew Slater: He won’t find much time playing on offense or defense, but he has crucial special teams jobs. I think Ebner will be back to help solidify that unit. I think he’s more important that we might think.

Matt Forte, RB

Here’s a name we’ve heard before. With LaGarrette Blount seemingly out of the picture, we’d think the Patriots would want a nice veteran back to fill the gap. However, Forte is one of the top backs available in free agency. And, as history tells us, the Patriots don’t like to compete and spend money for players like that. But Forte might just be different because Forte wants to win. I could see Forte taking a price break to go to a winner and play with the greatest quarterback of all time in Tom Brady.

Sean Smith, CB

The Patritos are funny when it comes to defensive backs, especially corners. They’d rather not sign any veterans of the league and just sign undrafted free agents. (I’m sure you remember that Malcolm Butler guy.) But Smith might be a good fit: He’s a bigger cornerback (6’2″) and he shouldn’t cost too much money. Smith would slot in either at No. 2 behind Butler or maybe the nickel. He’d do well against some bigger receivers that have historically given the Patriots problems.

Next: Isaiah Thomas wants to talk with Tom Brady

Who do you think the Patriots will sign?