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New England Patriots: Ranking top 5 veteran free agent signings in 2020

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 22: Danny Vitale #45 of the Green Bay Packers is brought down by Josey Jewell #47 of the Denver Broncos during the second half at Lambeau Field on September 22, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 22: Danny Vitale #45 of the Green Bay Packers is brought down by Josey Jewell #47 of the Denver Broncos during the second half at Lambeau Field on September 22, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots Beau Allen (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Beau Allen (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

A ranking of the top 5 veteran free agents the New England Patriots have signed so far in the 2020 offseason.

The New England Patriots officially announced the signing of eight veteran free agents earlier this month once the 2020 NFL Draft was over.

While these players weren’t exactly notable names or even players believed to be high impact signings, they are players Bill Belichick typically goes after when it comes to discount value and players he believes can fill certain roles.

Those signings were linebacker Brandon Copeland, defensive back Cody Davis, quarterback Brian Hoyer, wide receivers Damiere Byrd and Marqise Lee, safety Adrian Phillips and fullback Danny Vitale.

Compared to the players the Patriots lost during free agency, including Tom Brady, Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins, those players don’t exactly excite fans, but they are mostly all players who can play multiple positions, including special teams.

As Belichick and the New England Patriots are strapped against the salary cap, there are still some key free agent signings they can still make, but for now we will rank the top five signings in how they forecast to impact the team in the 2020 NFL season, if there is a season.

Three Patriots signings not in the top 5

Before we get into a ranking of the top 5, three players considered were linebacker Brandon Copeland, defensive back Cody Davis and quarterback Brian Hoyer.

Patriots fans are familiar with Hoyer, whose primary role will be to support the development and progression of second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham.  If Hoyer actually ends up starting games, this signing could be even more important, especially if he can keep the team competitive. It would also mean Stidham is not as ready as the team apparently feels he is.

As far as Copeland and Davis, both players will primarily make their contributions in special teams with each player having an opportunity to play into bigger roles.

Brandon Copeland is the player to watch due to his versatility and size as the linebacker position.  At 6-foot-3, 263 pounds, he is very capable of filling the void left by Elandon Roberts.

Now onto the top 5 New England Patriots free agent signings as of May.

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