I think what should be done in the front 7 is pretty simple- just keep adding depth. The secondary, however, is not so clear-cut.
Do we resign Talib?? Arrington?? Do we sign a FA Safety, draft a Safety?? What about Tavon Wilson?? What will be done with Dowling??
My only certains are McCourty starting at Safety and Dennard likely being a starting CB. I think at corner we'd be best off resigning Talib and Arrington. Then signing a vet, say Terrence Newman, to a 1 year that could compete for a spot with Dowling as a backup CB. So if either he doesn't work out, or Dowling can earn his spot, we can easily cut him and not take much of a hit. As for safety, I'd go draft one in the second round, maybe even the first, mainly due to this years strong safety class.
Thoughts??
Positional Needs:
1.3. 3 guys capable of playing press-man CB, also able to play decent zone coverage schemes
4. A good nickel/slot CB
5. A rangy FS who can guard the deep part of the field, support the CBs, and act as the "glue" for the entire secondary
6. A more physical safety, who can lay the lumber and establish a physical presence, but who isn't a major liability in coverage
7-8. 2 versatile backup safeties who can play a variety of roles
9-10. A dime/ST CB and a S/ST
Current Situation:
- McCourty is under contract, and should be the starting FS, covering need #5
- Dennard is under contract, and should be the starting outside CB at one spot (need #2)
- Dowling, Wilson and Gregory are under contract, and should factor into the mix at depth; Dowling could potentially be moved to S, or could be a press-man CB (need #3), given that we realistically need at least 3 press man CBs; Wilson and Gregory are probably better off for depth and as big nickel kind of guys (needs #7-8).
- Ebner is under contract, and should factor into need #10.
Needs to be Addressed:
That leaves us needing to fill the following:
1. At least 1, and possibly 2 big CBs who can play press-man, depending on whether Dowling can fill the 3rd big CB role (needs #1 and #3)
2. A physical safety who is not a liability in coverage (need #6)
3. A nickel/slot CB (need #4)
Possible Ways to Meet Those Needs:
1. The best approach would be to re-sign Aqib Talib if possible. He has experience and would provide continuity. Keenan Lewis would be a good backup option. Signing both would be ideal, but probably not feasible given our cap situation. I don't like the idea of a rookie here - I think we need experience in our secondary, not more youth.
2. A veteran FA would be idea. Dashon Goldson would probably be the best option, but he will probably get tagged and would cost too much. Kenny Phillips would probably be almost as good an option, and just might be available within range. Matt Elam would probably be the most effective draft option. Phillip Thomas might be another draft option.
3. Re-signing Kyle Arrington is probably the most reasonable option. It's possible that Marquice Cole could be a cheaper alternative, if keeping Arrington is too expensive and the team wants to put that money into a big outside CB or a physical safety. Note that if the Pats signed both Talib and someone like Keenan Lewis, then Dennard could probably play the slot role at times. For me, it's a question of how much it costs to keep Arrington vs. the other options.
My FA priorities would probably be, depending on the $ amount: Talib > Phillips = Lewis > Arrington.
The interesting question to me would be this: If the Pats could get both Keenan Lewis and Kenny Phillips for roughly what it would cost to sign Aqib Talib, would they be better off? That's a tough question.
Those are my basic thoughts.
