My very early offseason free agent targets

[Rob0729]

Here are my very early offseason targets in no particular order. Not saying the Pats should go after all of them or that they can afford some of them. Just guys I think the Pats should consider pursuing.

BTW, I am only focusing on other teams' free agents and not the Pats' for this exercise.

Jeremy Maclin - Already said he would play on an one year prove it deal. He is going to look for an offense where he can get production (i.e. with a good QB) for a big contract in 2015. If he is back to close to 100%, he is a dynamic player.

Anquan Boldin - Clearly not the player he once was, but he can still take over the game at times and will likely come cheap. He is an outside presence opposite Dobson that the Pats need.

Scott Chandler - A guy who has given the Pats fits at times. Good, not a great TE. A good compliment to Gronk and can fill in his shoes if he is injured.

Brandon Pettigrew - He will probably be too expensive to take the risk on, but he is a guy with all world talent who has yet to put it together. Someone may throw a lot of money at him thinking he could be that guy.

Hakeem Nicks - Only if his injury history and poor production last year lowers his market. Otherwise, he is too much of an injury risk. A great receiver when healthy though.

Arthur Jones - Chandler's brother. A solid, yet unspectacular DE/DT. Versatile.

Lamarr Houston - Doesn't get the spotlight because where he plays (Oakland). The guy is a big and athletic DE/DT who is very disruptive. He is probably looking to leave for a place where he can win.

Linval Joseph - Unlikely the Giants will let him hit free agency, but a big body that can tie up defenders and stop the run. Decent pass rush ability.

Michael Johnson - Pats were rumored to be pursuing him last year before he was franchised. A down year might lower his value.

Alex Mack - A great young center. The Browns will need to sign him to a deal before free agency because the franchise tag isn't an option because all o-linemen are grouped together and is going to be around $10 million.

James Jones - After a severe case of dropsies early in his career, he has become a dependable WR. Had a down year because of a PCL sprain. So he could come at a value price. A good fast receiver with pretty good size.

 

[PatriotsInGA]

I would throw money at Anquan Boldin. Look at his production in the playoffs and it's great. He's got size and enough left in the tank for a season or two. Arthur Jones would also be a safe signing. He won't blow anyone away statistically, but he's an upgrade over any of the DTs that were left and I don't think Vince/Kelly will be the same coming off injuries.

 

[Big-T]

Alex Mack is a must sign. The team need to get him on the phone the second free agency starts.

Scott Chandler would be a very nice signing too, strengthen the Pats and further weaken the Bills.

 

[mayoclinic]

Alex Mack, Linvale Joseph, Brandon Pettigrew and Jeremy Maclin are great options. Big question whether we can afford any of them, but great options.

 

[SebertJr]

Concentrate on our own key players first, I don't think reciever is a need...I think we have them with the kids, they just need to be fed the ball!!!
Defensive tackle , strong safety and TE is where they need to concentrate.
I still want to see what Harmon & Wilson have at safety, sometimes I think BB is too veteran dependent.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Alex Mack, Linvale Joseph, Brandon Pettigrew and Jeremy Maclin are great options. Big question whether we can afford any of them, but great options.

If you let Edelman go, you can prob sign Mack. Not sure I'd do that. It's probably easier to get production from draft/cheaper free agents on the interior of the offensive line than our primary outside target.

 

[everlong]

Jeremy Maclin - Already said he would play on an one year prove it deal. He is going to look for an offense where he can get production (i.e. with a good QB) for a big contract in 2015. If he is back to close to 100%, he is a dynamic player.

Scott Chandler - A guy who has given the Pats fits at times. Good, not a great TE. A good compliment to Gronk and can fill in his shoes if he is injured.

Alex Mack - A great young center. The Browns will need to sign him to a deal before free agency because the franchise tag isn't an option because all o-linemen are grouped together and is going to be around $10 million.

Love your list and especially these three. The Pats really need to rebuild the lines and Maclin and Chandler should be good bang for the buck even if Maclin is on a one year deal. I was advocating a deal for Maclin before he got hurt.

 

[fxkane]

This past year was the year we should have signed Boldin. I'm afraid that now he may retire.

 

[TriplecHamp]

This past year was the year we should have signed Boldin. I'm afraid that now he may retire.

this was never an option

 

[JackBauer]

I like most of your picks, but it seems very unlikely we'll have the money for guys like Maclin.

 

[yopats]

I like the thought of TJ Ward has SS to play opposite of McCourty.

I also like the Arthur Jones signing as well.

 

[Ivan]

Props to Robo for going the Belichick "We're in 2014 now" approach. people need to vent and we will see the haters and trolls out in force for a while but really at this point as fans all we have to look at is what went wrong and right, where they are strong and weak, and how they should proceed from here on out. personally after watching SF/Seattle I think this team has a good way to go to be the best and I think they would have gotten their asses kicked playing either in the Super Bowl, and with that in mind I think that they have a fundamental decision to make about whether they are going to go for another ring while they have Brady or whether they are just going to stay the conservative course. I really think they need to go for it for the next few years and if they have to pay a price for it after that then do so, however I would be surprised if they actually go that route.

 

[Ivan]

I like the thought of TJ Ward has SS to play opposite of McCourty.

I also like the Arthur Jones signing as well.

TJ Ward is scum.

 

[Froob]

Alex Mack, Eric Decker, and bringing Edelman back would be amazing. Especially if we can keep Wilfork too on a cheaper contract. Doubt we would be able to afford them all though.

 

[Rob0729]

I like most of your picks, but it seems very unlikely we'll have the money for guys like Maclin.

I think Maclin is going to go for the one year deal to cash in next year. I don't think he will get market value because of his injury. Even though most players return from ACL tears back to 100% these days (even as short as 6-8 months after the injury in many cases), there is no guarantee Maclin will be the same player ever again and I think his contract offers may reflect that.

 

[mgteich]

My early free agent targets are Edelman, Wendell, Blount, and Talib.

 

[slash83]

Surprised nobody is mentioning Greg Hardy, him and chandler would form an awesome duo. Countless times I watched Jones get double and triple teamed this season and Rob losing his 1on1 battles. I know it's going to cost but I would be okay with cutting wilfork and Mankins to get this guy. Mankins can be replaced rather easily and 75 is coming off a serious injury, and I like Silaga*.

 

[VrabelJr]

Your assessments of Boldin and Arthur Jones are a bit off. Boldin just had his best season in 6 years with a running QB throwing to him. Arthur Jones is anything but unspectacular. He was flat out dominantt his year.

I think Lamarr Houston is going to command serious money so I think he isn't an option unfortunately.

Alex Mack represents incredible value. If we could get him around $2-$3MM per year I say we do it.

I'm happy with either Boldin or Maclin. I don't want Nicks though (he's not that great after the catch) and I'm not sure James Jones fits here.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

What MG said. But for the exercise in point - yes, let's get a look at Maclin. My guess is Boldin will be too pricey.

Don't agree we can do it just with the kids. Do agree we need to pick up at least SOME F/A help. Will reiterate that it's not IF Gronk goes down, it's when. It gives me no pleasure to say this, but as I said prior to his injuries this year, he a big hulking hard-driving super-talented guy who's somehow just made of glass (I know I know he plays so hard he hurts himself. Whatever. It just is.) To the extent that a receiving tight end is a part of our offense, unless we go out and "replace" Gronk, be ready for him not to be there at the end. Plan some other way to win AFCCF/SB. That is just what has to happen.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

My early free agent targets are Edelman, Wendell, Blount, and Talib.

To be fair, the OP did say he was focusing on external targets.