I’d sign Tee Higgins and Zach Martin. If we draft a LT in 1st. Like Campbell. Martin can help bring him along and shore up left side of line. You get Drake a weapon too.
Some pretty good DT’s look to be available late 1st. Early 2nd. Williams from Ohio St would be my pick. Nolan from Ole Miss is good too. Walker-Kentucky.
Why would you sign a 34 year old RG? RG isn't an issue for the Pats. LG is where they have a need. But they have candidates for that in Strange or Sow.
You say that Martin can help a LT tackle along. But how is that so when Martin is a RG. Do you think he can make the switch to the left side that easily?
If you want a LG to sign via FA, then look at Teven Jenkins. He's arguably the best option in terms of both pass-blocking and run blocking that is available. But it means you're also relegating Sow to a permanent back-up position.
Also, what are you doing with Strange if you sign someone like Jenkins or Martin? Are you looking to trade him? Because, right now, you'd be hard-pressed to get anything better than a 5th rounder for him.
Before we talk about signing Higgins, Let's get a WR coach who can actually HELP guys at that position. That's something we haven't had in.. well. Forever. I wanted Belichick to bring in Shawn Jefferson 2 years ago, but he went to Carolina. Then, Jefferson went to the Jets last year. I'd left to steal him from the Jets to help Polk, Baker, Douglas and Boutte.
Vrabel also needs to decide what sort of offense they are running as a base. Bringing back Hooper and running a 22 base would be beneficial. Hooper and Henry both seem to have a good rapport with Maye. It gives the Pats a good base for the RUN as well.
If you bring in Higgins, then you are relegating one of Boutte or Douglas to the bench with a 22 set unless they pull one of Hooper or Henry off. You're also all but eliminating any hope of Polk or Baker working out since they won't be getting many snaps at all with Higgins, Boutte, Douglas, Henry, Hooper, Stevenson, and Gibson ahead of them. Even if Wolf was gone, I think Vrabel would be hard-pressed get Kraft to buy in on them being wasted picks after one tumultuous season where neither was set up to succeed.
Maybe a FS and CB in 3rd. Sign an edge.
Maybe Josh Sweat. Will have two Top 10 picks next year. Probably. Cap space. And, an improving team poised to identify targets at positions of need.
The Pats have Gonzalez, Marcus Jones (injury-prone), and Marcellus Dial and unknowns in Miles Battle and DJ James. . Alex Austin should be back on an ERFA Tender. There are definitely some good CB in free agency. They need someone to start opposite Gonzalez. They also need a back-up in the slot because Marcus Jones can't be relied upon to be healthy a whole season.
Brandon Stephens, Kristian Fulton, or Carlton Davis would be my choices for players opposite Gonzalez if Wolf's rule regarding 30 yr olds is still in effect.
DJ Reed and Eric Stokes would be my choices for guys for the slot.
Brandin Echols would be a guy I'd bring in to help Special Teams.
For FS, I'd look at putting Bolden back there. He was moving back and forth between that and boundary corner as a rookie before the concussion. I think he has the ability to play there and be effective.
