NFL Rumors: 2 free agent moves Patriots must absolutely make

The New England Patriots have a projected $32.7M in cap space with which to operate this offseason. It’s a decent amount but not overwhelming if you really want to be a player.

Freeing up cap space is a definite possibility as the team can cut ties with players like tight end Hunter Henry to save about $10.5M and others to aggregate funds for the right free agent signings.

But where should those funds be used to make the New England Patriots once again a competitive team not only in the AFC East but beyond?

This isn’t an easy question to answer since the team has needs all over the field. Yet, it’s important to ask where the team can spend best to maximize their free agency and trade spending to add difference-makers to the team.

Let’s center on two players.

New England Patriots need a great mobile QB

The first player on the shortlist will be costly not only in salary but also in trade value to be surrendered. That would be the dynamic RPO, former NFL MVP quarterback from the Baltimore Ravens, Lamar Jackson. The Baltimore Ravens have placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson.

Jackson was ridiculously passed on by the New England Patriots twice in the ill-fated 2018 draft’s first round. (He’d have been drafted here, for certain.) They wound up with Isaiah Wynn and Sony Michel. Neither will likely be on the team shortly. (Michel was already traded.)

Jackson is a difference-maker. The New England Patriots right now have none on offense with the possible exception of Rhamondre Stevenson.

Jackson may cost two first-round picks as well as a monstrous salary. He’s worth it. Like Tom Brady, Jackson makes up for other deficiencies in an offense.

He just does it in different ways. Brady made good receivers out of bad and terrific receivers out of good. Jackson makes everyone on the offense better through his escapability from the pocket, turning broken plays into gold.

Jackson’d be a monumental upgrade over Mac Jones who could subsequently be traded for good value (perhaps to the Las Vegas Raiders?) if Jackson is acquired.

New England Patriots sign a big protector for Jackson

Complementing the Jackson trade should be the free agency signing of Orlando Brown Jr. Brown is the best left tackle in free agency. The New England Patriots need a left tackle of the future and Brown is still only 26.

Brown would man the second most important position in the most important unit on the team, the offensive line. He’s a tested veteran coming off a Super Bowl win. He slots right into the left tackle position. Trent Brown moves back to right.

Orlando Brown is in the prime of his career (or just entering into it) and is a huge OLT at 6’8″ tall and 340 pounds. He’d be a great bookend for Trent Brown.

Signing Brown obviates the necessity to draft an offensive left tackle with their first pick, in the second round if they trade for Jackson.

With Brown in the fold, the Patriots can draft a young offensive tackle later on in the draft to groom as a possible replacement for Trent Brown whose contract expires after 2023.

Brown’s signing adds lots of opportunities for the team if they can learn to take advantage of them. Having acquired a former MVP quarterback and a top left tackle, the team can use the rest of its draft picks to fill other needs.

In the second round, the team can go defensive tackle to provide a complement to Christian Barmore.

Alternatively, they can trade back up to snag a top defensive end and edge player like Lukas Van Ness who can move inside on third down. They’ll still have 10 draft picks and lots of opportunities to move all over the board after trading Jones.

Do you think New England Patriots should trade for Lamar Jackson and sign free agent Orlando Brown Jr?