Realistic Free Agent Options for the Patriots Come March

Financially healthy free agent options for New England in 2023.

By PGS Nest

Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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Jamel Dean (Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Last season, New England possessed a solid cornerback group that included Jonathan Jones, veteran Jalen Mills, rookies Marcus and Jack Jones, and Myles Bryant.  However, the team needs a tall and physical boundary corner who can prevent a star receiver from producing at a prominent level. Big-name receivers were able to perform impressively against New England's secondary on numerous occasions last season.

Standing at 6'1" and weighing 206 pounds, four-year Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean has the physical attributes and has proven to be able to successfully disrupt a team's best receiver.  Dean had 46 solo tackles, 5 pass break-ups, and restricted opposing quarterbacks to an 81.3 passer rating in 2022. Not to mention, Dean only received one flag during the previous season, demonstrating his strong discipline and ability to physically challenge other receivers without getting flagged.

Dean's physicality, athleticism, and discipline would be a valuable addition to New England's defense and could help them make a strong postseason push. He is unquestionably an ideal choice, especially if the Patriots choose not to re-sign CB Jonathan Jones.

With a projected annual salary of $12.5-15M per year, Dean will be expensive compared to other players on this list, but he will undoubtedly be worth every penny. Financially, this move is very doable with the Patriots currently listed at $30M in cap space with other possible cap clearing transactions to come.

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Nicholas Morrow (Outside Linebacker, Chicago Bears)

One of the Patriots most crucial defensive needs heading into the 2023 season is a speedy linebacker that can run sideline to sideline and shut down plays. With a 4.53 40 yard dash, Bears OLB Nicholas Morrow is the perfect candidate for New England to pair with LB Ja'Whaun Bentley.

After accumulating 116 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and an interception for the Chicago Bears last season, Morrow established himself as a solid starting talent on the defensive end. However , there hasn't been much discussion on Morrow's production during the 2022 season. With Morrow's speed and intelligence, New England could sign him to a fantastic contract on a cheaper-end multi-year deal thanks to an under-the-radar market at age 27.

Morrow's projected annual salary of only $5-7M is easily affordable for New England. Ja'Whaun Bentley, Nicholas Morrow, and Jahlani Tavai would be a strong linebacker trio for the New England defense.

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Jessie Bates (Safety, Cincinnati Bengals)

With the Patriots in need of a safety due to longtime Patriots safety Devin McCourty announcing his retirement, Cincinnati Bengals star Jessie Bates is an option if New England is willing to spend the money on him. Personally, I believe they would.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has said in the past that Devin McCourty's presence on the field allows for New England to play defense the way they want. Now, just days removed from McCourty's retirement, New England will be looking to add a new starter at the safety position in free agency. With how crucial of a role Devin McCourty played in New England's defense, they could look to add a star player as a replacement at the position, such as Bates.

After totaling 71 combined tackles, 8 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions in 2022 for Cincinnati, Bates is due for a big pay day this off-season. With a projected annual salary of $15-17M per year, the five-year Bengals safety is expensive, but affordable for New England.

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Julian Love (Safety, New York Giants)

Adding onto the need at the safety position for New England, Giants safety Julian Love is another option for the Patriots, except cheaper.

The 24 year-old safety is coming off a career year in New York with 124 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions while leading all Giants players in defensive snaps played. Not to mention, Love is an extremely versatile player (has experience playing deep and in the slot) who also has experience playing on special teams, which Patriots head coach Bill Belichick heavily admires.

With a projected annual salary of $6.5-9M per year, he fits right into the Patriots budget while being a cheaper and very viable option if the team is outbid in the Jessie Bates market.

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DJ Chark (Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions)

Shortly after the end of New England's 2022-2023 season, Owner Robert Kraft confessed that there needs to be changes within the Patriots' wide receiver room. Since then, New England has been rumored to be interested in numerous wide receivers across the NFL. Despite this, a name I have not heard much of is Detroit Lions 26 year-old wideout DJ Chark.

After his 2019 pro bowl season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chark has struggled with injuries that have kept him off the field. But after returning from another injury during the 2022 season, Chark ended his final six games with the Lions with 308 yards and a touchdown on a restricted snap count. During those six games, Chark finally started to resemble his former self, and with the Lions expecting the youthful and quick Jameson Williams to have a bigger part on the offense next season, Chark might be searching for a new home.

With a projected annual salary of $7-9M per year, New England could use his abilities, especially if the DeAndre Hopkins trade rumors become reality. The Patriots most likely won't be able to re-sign Jakobi Meyers if they decide to take on Hopkins' expensive contract. With a need for a wideout to replace, and hopefully be much better than Nelson Agholor, Chark is a cheaper option in free agency that could really solidify the Patriots wide receiver room in 2023. Just like owner Robert Kraft hopes for.