Patriots UFAs

The Patriots have a lot of potential key players that could hit free agency this offseason. They have the potential to lose a lot of these guys after the season they had last year, and the rumors seem to be that most of these guys are sick of playing under Bill Belichick. Free agency is only 2 weeks away now, and they are going to need to make some moves if they want to keep some of these players around.

Joe Thuney – Leaves:

Thuney is just going to be too expensive to pay another offensive lineman. They already have large cap hits on Shaq Mason and Marcus Cannon, and they need to make a decision between Thuney and their center. Thuney has been an incredible player, and arguably they best player Bill has drafted over the last 7 years. He is going to want to get paid at the top of the market, and they probably won’t franchise tag him again.

David Andrews – Stays:

Andrews will be the guy they decide to keep because it will most likely be at a lower price tag. Andrews has been a huge leader in the locker room as well, and Bill holds a big value on things like that. He is the leader of the offensive line, and calls all the signals. After they struggled with him out two years ago, they won’t want to reset at that position again. Plus they might give him the franchise tag, as it wouldn’t be a huge cap hit at the center position.

James White – Stays:

White is coming off of a down season, and is on the wrong side of 30. He absolutely still has productivity left in him, but his value is most likely the highest on this Patriots team. A reliable pass catching back is what this team really is going to need for whatever new QB they decide to bring in next season. Unless some team throws an absurd amount of money at him, James White will most likely be back in a Pats uniform.

Rex Burkhead – Leaves:

The Patriots have found a new all around back in Damien Harris. Sony Michel looked real good last season also, and even JJ Taylor gave something to offer last season. Even Burkhead’s special teams play can be replaced if Brandon Bolden comes back again. Unless they decide to trade Michel, Burkhead is probably on his way out.

Cam Newton – Stays:

This does not necessarily mean he is going to be their starter. I don’t even think he should be their “backup.” But I think Bill might keep him as a gimmick player. They can use him for short yardage runs, QB sneaks, and who knows what else. I really hope they don’t bring him back as the starter, but he will definitely be at a price Bill likes.

Brian Hoyer – Stays:

Hoyer will come back at least for the preseason. The actual backup spot will most likely be between him and Stidham. If Stidham is the real deal, Hoyer won’t stick around, but if Stidham sucks, then Hoyer might stay as an insurance policy.

Lawrence Guy – Stays:

Guy is the perfect Belichick player. Just puts his head down and works, and he does his job well. He is also a great defensive lineman that nobody knew about. This is the type of guy that Bill would do right by, and pay him what he’s worth to keep him around.

Adam Butler – Stays:

I really hope this guy stays. He has been a bright spot as an interior pass rusher for a few years now. He wasn’t able to stay healthy last year, but when he was he is always applying pressure up the middle, and there aren’t too many guys that can do that anymore. He could use some work on his run stopping, but he is young and has a lot of talent and would be great to keep around.

John Simon – Leaves:

Simon was terrible last year. He was rarely applying pressure, and constantly getting beat around the corner by running backs. I really can’t begin to understand why he was in the starting lineup for so long. Now at 31 it will be a wonder if he finds another job at all in the league.

Deatrich Wise – Leaves:

Wise has been a gigantic disappointment throughout his career in New England. There were such high hopes for him as a pass rusher that he has never lived up to. He’s been nothing more than lightning in a bottle for a few plays a game. Unless he passes through free agency with no job, they might take him back at a low price tag. But he is young and another team will take a chance on him.

Jason McCourty – Stays:

Bill just seems to have a soft spot for the McCourty’s. It feels like as long as Devin is around, he’ll continue to bring back Jason. He really wasn’t all that bad last year, and there aren’t many examples of him getting torched that come to mind. They might need the extra depth at corner if they do decide to trade Stephon Gilmore though. JC Jackson would be taking on a lot of responsibility as the #1 corner, and he struggled against the likes of Stefon Diggs, who they will see twice next year. J-Mac will come back, and hopefully for less than 5 mil.

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-Jake Kobierski (@TheRealKobe83)