New England Patriots rumors: 2 cheap pass rushers Belichick should target

The New England Patriots quiet start to free agency may not last much longer. With some more cap space created thanks to the Shaq Mason trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Pats finally have some money they can use to land some free agents.

The Pats free agent strategy so far has primarily consisted of bringing back their own free agents. They have re-signed six of their own players on relatively low-cost deals, with their only outside addition through free agency being cornerback Terrance Mitchell. They have also completed a pair of trades, with the aforementioned Mason trade bringing back a fifth round pick, and a deal that sent Chase Winovich to the Cleveland Browns in return for linebacker Mack Wilson.

While Winovich wasn’t productive at all last season, it further necessitates the need for more pass rushers on the Pats defense. New England didn’t have much cap space coming into free agency, but they currently have a little over $13 million. Given the holes that they had coming into the offseason, plus the ones that have arisen now during free agency, that money needs to be put to good use.

One area where New England could find an instant contributor for a relatively low price is the edge rusher market. Aside from Matt Judon, who had 12.5 sacks last season, the Patriots had a fairly limited pass rush, and it would be wise to get him a partner in crime to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Here are two cheap free agent edge players the Patriots could target in hopes of revamping their defensive pass rush.