The New England Patriots can still add help at key positions by potentially signing players who could be on the chopping block after following the draft.
Folks, Bill Belichick is ranked as the NFL’s best general manager for a reason. Year after year, the New England Patriots head coach frustrate fans by not over spending for players in free agency and year after year the team is battling for another Super Bowl appearance.
Why?
Belichick understands his team and what will work and what will not work.
He typically waits for bargains or for teams to make players available who could come to New England either on team-friendly deals or players who need to revitalize their careers. Belichick has done this for years and is doing so again in 2019.
After a quiet beginning to the free agency period, the New England Patriots have signed wide receivers Demaryius Thomas, Dontrelle Inman, tight ends Ben Watson, Austin Seferian-Jenkins and linebacker Jamie Collins.
Those signings along with a solid rookie draft class has sparked excitement surrounding the defending Super Bowl champions, but we all know Bill Belichick isn’t done shaping the roster. That’s why the following five NFL veterans are names to watch if they end up on the chopping block by their respective teams.
Karl Joseph, S, Oakland Raiders
Okay, bear with me.
The New England Patriots are getting older at the safety position with both Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung on the other side of 30.
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With McCourty contemplating retirement following the team’s Super bowl win of the Los Angeles Rams, the team needs to get younger at the position. With the Oakland Raiders drafting Johnathan Abram in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, their 2016 first-round pick Karl Joseph could be expendable via trade or simply a release, although the latter would not make much sense for the Raiders.
Looking at the money, trading Joseph who is entering the final year of his rookie deal would save the Raiders $2 million in cap space. For the Patriots, obtaining Joseph via a trade or signing him after a release would give them a player similar to that of Danny Shelton who is a former first-round pick still trying to find his niche in the league.
Playing behind both Chung and McCourty could benefit Joseph who has struggled with both injuries and consistency in coverage when on the field. A hard hitter who is strong against the run, Karl Joseph has the making of a Patrick Chung clone in the New England Patriots system.
Unless Bill Belichick has plans of converting second-round pick JoeJuan Williams to safety, the Patriots current depth chart at safety include Devin McCourty, Chung, Duron Harmon, Obi Melifonwu, Malik Grant and A.J. Howard.
Brandon Williams, NT, Baltimore Ravens
With defensive tackle Gerald McCoy out there and now available, the New England Patriots have a pretty attractive option to add depth at the defensive tackle position.
But McCoy may not be the only veteran DT available not named Ndamukong Suh. Brandon Williams of the Baltimore Ravens could also be made available if his current team wants to shave some cap space.
The 30-year-old Williams would save the Ravens $6.25 million post June 1 destination. With the younger depth Baltimore has at the position in Michael Pierce and fifth-round draft pick Daylon Mack, the team could part ways with the run stuffer.
If that happens and the Patriots do not land McCoy, Brandon Williams is definitely the type of big, run-stopping defensive tackle who would enhance the current group of Lawrence Guy, Danny Shelton, Mike Pennel, David Parry and fifth-round pick Bryon Cowart.
In 2018, the 6-foot-1, 336-pound Williams recorded 21 solo tackles and a sack. His presence in the middle would not only add reliable depth, but would also help the team defend against a player like Le’Veon Bell who now resides in the AFC East.
William Gholston, Edge, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The New England Patriots made up for the loss of Trey Flowers by trading for Michael Bennett and drafting Chase Vinovich in the third round of the NFL Draft. They also re-signed hybrid LB/DE John Simon to a three-year deal.
With young pass rushers like Deatrich Wise Jr., and Derek Rivers expected to make a leap along with talent like Keionta Davis and Ufomba Kamalu at the position, Bill Belichick may have enough depth at the position. A luxury of young riches sure but adding another veteran to the mix could certainly add to the competition and benefit the Patriots as well.
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That’s where Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge rusher William Gholston comes in.
If there is ever a player in need of a change of scenery, it is the 6-foot-6, 280-pound Gholston who has seen his production dip over the last couple of seasons.
At just 27 years old, Gholston could find rejuvenation in New England under Belichick while given the Buccaneers even more cap space as he would save him $3.7 million if released. After parting ways with defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay may decide to rebuild their defensive line completely. Freeing up cap space certainly helps them do that.
Also, with the New England Patriots history with former Buccaneers players, if there is an exploration for a trade, Bill Belichick’s phone would certainly ring. If released, also expect the Patriots to explore a team friendly, prove-it type deal.
That is of course if they don’t end up with McCoy.
Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Just because the New England Patriots drafted N’Keal Harry in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft and signed veteran wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Dontrelle Inman doesn’t mean the team is set with the position.
Set to play on the fifth year of his rookie deal, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor could be expendable on a team that is suddenly stacked at receiver.
With the addition of DeSean Jackson, the Eagles could certainly look to move the $9.4 million Agholor is set to receive and of course the Patriots have been linked to a potential trade for a player who has over 700 yards receiving over the last two seasons.
Steep money for the New England Patriots?
Certainly, but after extending Julian Edelman, the team could view Nelson Agholor as the next slot receiver, especially if 2018 sixth-round pick Braxton Berrios struggles to catch on in 2019.
As for the Eagles, with Jackson, Alshon Jeffrey, second-round pick JJ Arcega-Whiteside along with Zach Ertz at tight end, a potential Agholor trade that could save them a $9.3 million cap hit in 2019 has to be intriguing.
They already completed one deal with the Patriots for defensive end Michael Bennett, don’t be surprised if another deal is completed before the 2019 NFL season starts. Agholor is a player who could certainly flourish catching the ball from Tom Brady.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings
This potential trade rumor is becoming more unlikely by the day, but if somehow the Minnesota Vikings and veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph can’t agree of a five-year contract extension, the New England Patriots can make a call to replace their retired 29-year-old tight end with another 29-year-old tight end.
In drafting Irv Smith Jr. in the second round, the Vikings have a contingency plan if they do have to create some cap space by trading Rudolph, who made it clear he won’t accept a pay cut at this stage in his career.
After signing 38-year-old tight end Ben Watson, it seems the Patriots are content at the position at the moment, but they would have to explore a possible deal for Rudolph to bring in another reliable pass catcher at the position.
Again, this is becoming more unlikely by the day, but Kyle Rudolph could certainly help make up for some of the production left void by Rob Gronkowski.
The contract extension is everything in this case. The longer the two sides don’t agree, the more likely a trade can become reality.
The only question is will the New England Patriots be placing a call.