The Patriots will have some significant players hit free agency this offseason and will have some hard decisions to make. Ideally, they would be able to bring back most of them, but there will be a great player or two not playing in New England next year. Here is a look at some of the most notable players on expiring contracts New England has:
Devin McCourty– McCourty was drafted by the Patriots in 2010 and has been a key piece of the defense ever since. He’s been one of the best free safeties in the league over the last decade and is still playing at a high level. The Patriots should make every effort to bring him back.
Trent Brown– Brown was a key piece on the 2018 Super Bowl Champion Patriots before leaving via free agency. Brown returned in 2021 and resumed his role as a monster run blocker and pass protector at right tackle. The Patriots have Michael Onwenu, who can also be a great tackle, but they may want to keep Brown around in case the team decides to move on from another lineman and slot Onwenu in there. Also, having three good tackles is much better than having two.
Dont’a Hightower– Hightower has arguably been the second most important player behind Tom Brady in the second half of the Patriots dynasty. His stop of Marshawn Lynch at the one-yard line in Super Bowl XLIX helped set up Malcolm Butler’s interception and his strip sack of Matt Ryan in Super Bowl LI helped jump-start the Patriots epic comeback. He is a leader and likely Patriots Hall of Famer. However, he looked a step slow in 2021 and was hobbled by injuries at age 31.
J.C. Jackson– Jackson has a case for being the Patriots best free agent and a candidate for the franchise tag. He spent most of his career being a ball-hawking number two corner before the trade of Stephon Gilmore this year elevated him to the team’s number one corner. He has 25 interceptions in his four-year career, including eight in 2021. Jackson is not the elite, shutdown, corner that Gilmore is, but he is a great player that the team will want to keep around.
Ted Karras– One of the things that helped the Patriots offense most this season was when Ted Karras was moved into the starting lineup at guard. His presence had an immediate effect on the offensive line and the protection around Mac Jones improved. His fate may be tied to Trent Brown’s; the more likely Brown is to leave the better chance for Karras to come back. However, the team should bring him back either way. You can never have enough depth on the offensive line and Karras could be in line for a starting role if he is re-signed.
Matthew Slater– Slater is a team captain and has a legitimate argument for being a special teams Hall of Famer. His presence in the locker room is important and he is still playing well in his role.
James White– White should have been the Co-MVP of Super Bowl LI with Tom Brady for his role in the Patriots momentous comeback. He suffered a hip injury in Week 3 that kept him out the rest of the season. The emergence of Rhamondre Stevenson makes White more expendable, but he is still a better passing game option than Brandon Bolden.
Jakobi Meyers– Meyers went from being unknown to one of the highest targeted Patriots receivers. Right now, he is the second-best option behind Kendrick Bourne, though he gets targeted more than Bourne. This season saw Meyers score his first touchdown of his career and finish with 83 catches for 866 yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots need to upgrade their receiver corps, but at the right price Meyers would be a great third or fourth option.
Other notables: Brandon Bolden, Nick Folk