The New England Patriots didn’t make a big splash so far during free agency, but there are three players they signed who will turn out to be big signings.
The New England Patriots lost some key contributors from their Super Bowl winning team so far during free agency. With Trey Flowers going to the Detroit Lions and Trent Brown signing with the Raiders, the team has some big shoes to fill.
With a few bargain basement signings, including the re-signing of a few of their own players like Phillip Dorsett, Jason McCourty and John Simon, the Patriots haven’t really addressed those needs, particularly at the wide receiver position.
Yes, Dorsett is a nice depth piece, but losing out on top free agent wide receivers like Adam Humphries, Golden Tate and Cole Beasley has the defending Super Bowl champions in a bit of a bind.
With a tight cap space and some obvious roster maneuvering yet to be done, don’t expect Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots to be done building their 2019 NFL roster.
With the draft approaching and some considerable free agents still out there, Belichick will make a splash in some way. Either through trade or some unexpected player release, the Patriots as currently orchestrated won’t be the team that steps on the field come Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season.
What we do know is the players they signed so far will at least have a chance to make the roster. With some roster building still yet to do, here are three underrated signings that will make solid contributions in 2019.
John Simon
After losing Trey Flowers to free agency, re-signing John Simon seemed like a blah type of move for the New England Patriots.
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It was also a typical move for a team who values bargain players willing to work hard with a team first mentality. Simon has certainly displayed that in his short time with the Patriots.
In 2018, the versatile outside linebacker was solid with the defending Super Bowl champions. He played in 11 games with 2.0 sacks and 17 total tackles. His 3 quarterback hits really stood out because it showed a player with a high motor who is capable of causing havoc against opposing quarterbacks.
With another season with the Patriots, fully expect John Simon to emerge into a similar type of player like a Kyle Van Noy or even a Rob Ninkovich.
Again, this was not a signing that makes Patriots fans super excited right now but bringing back Simon will be looked back upon as an important re-signing when he makes a few big plays on defense during the season.
Most importantly, he will be a player who does what the coaching staff asks. Those are the types of players who typically flourish under Bill Belichick.
Maurice Harris
No, he isn’t Odell Beckham Jr., Golden Tate or Adam Humphries, but the Maurice Harris signing may be the most underrated signing in 2019.
As a big, versatile wide receiver, Harris had a couple of breakout type games last season with the Washington Redskins. Totaling 15 receptions in a two-game stretch, the 6-foot-3 wide receiver out of the University of California showed a glimpse of what he could do on the field.
With just 28 receptions for 304 yards in 2018, Harris doesn’t stick out statically. Other than for a couple acrobatic catches in his career, Patriots fans may be scratching their head, but given his physical capabilities and the fact that he is a big target for Tom Brady, Harris could certainly make a name for himself in New England.
Think Brandon LaFell or even David Givens with the potential of Harris in the Patriots system. That could be a longshot, but with the lack of receiver depth the team currently has, someone other than Julian Edelman will have to step up and make an unexpected contribution on the field.
Expect that player to be Maurice Harris. There is something in him the Patriots like and if he works hard, they will certainly get it out of him.
Mike Pennel
The New England Patriots lost former first-round pick Malcom Brown to free agency, but it will not be a big loss due to the signing of former New York Jets nose tackle Mike Pennel.
He didn’t come out of college as gifted as Brown, but physically he can fill the role Brown played in the Patriots’ system and may actually be a better run defender.
In signing a two-year deal with the Patriots, the 6-foot-4, 332-pound anterior lineman will have a chance to compete with a starting role will a team he has played against during his six seasons in the NFL.
While Danny Shelton is still exploring the free agent market, Mike Pennel along with veteran Lawrence Guy and talented third-year man Adam Butler gives the New England Patriots more than adequate depth at the position.
The signing also gives Pennel a chance to really shine in a winning culture, something he has praised following his signing with the team.
"“It’s a winning culture,” Pennel said via Patriots.com. “They do things a certain way and they get results and, you know, I want to fall into that culture and be an asset to that culture.”"
Last season with the Jets, Pennel played in all 16 games and started seven. He totaled 27 tackles and was stout against the run. Expect the new nose tackle to be in on early down situations against run heavy teams and make more of an impact than both Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton did during the 2018 season.