Never one to be complacent, Bill Belichick has already stated that as a result of participating in the Super Bowl, his team is about five weeks behind in its preparation for the 2017 season. With that in mind, let’s take a look at those Patriots who are slated to become unrestricted free agents, and examine which may not be on the team for the 2017 season.
A Look at the New England Patriots Unrestricted Free Agents
Dont’a Hightower
A team captain, Dont’a Hightower authored two of the most memorable defensive plays in team history, first with his goal line tackle of Marshawn Lynch in the 2014 Super Bowl, and then his strip sack of Matt Ryan in 2016’s big game. With Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins no longer in Foxborough, it should be a no-brainer for the team to lock up their Pro Bowl linebacker. For what it’s worth, Devin McCourty indicated after the Super Bowl that Hightower will be back in 2017.
Perhaps he has inside knowledge of ongoing contract negotiations between his friend and the team. Even if he does not, McCourty clearly knows that Hightower could be nearly irreplaceable. The bet here is that Hightower will be back. The Patriots typically use their Franchise Tag only as a last resort, so it is fair to assume that if Hightower is slapped with the tag, it would only be as a means to buy more time to negotiate a long term deal.
Martellus Bennett
Martellus Bennett poses an interesting case. He was a productive player in 2016, and seemingly ingrained himself into the “Patriot Way,” as he contributed as a receiver, a selfless blocker, and played hurt for much of the season. With his tight end counterpart Rob Gronkowski coming off of yet another significant injury, it would seemingly be wise for the Patriots to keep the talented Bennett in the fold.
However, Bennett will be entering his age-30 season. This offseason will likely represent his last chance at a significant NFL payday. Players looking for their most lucrative opportunities rarely end up in Foxborough. What also needs to be considered is Bennett’s eclectic, out-spoken personality. By all accounts, he was a team-oriented player in 2016, and beloved by his teammates. However, Bennett has a track record of being a derisive locker room presence, having worn out welcomes at his other NFL stops.
The Patriots represent the fourth team of Bennett’s 9-year career. Bennett also displayed a willingness to talk publicly about non-football matters, going as far as to speak out against President Trump. It is a fair question to wonder if the security of a comfortable contract would lead to Bennett regressing as a teammate, and becoming more of the distraction that the Patriots organization simply does not tolerate.
The guess here is that the concerns surrounding Bennett’s age and personality will keep the Patriots offer to a fairly-modest level. As a result, Bennett will likely end up elsewhere in 2017.
Chris Long
Chris Long’s raw stats (4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 run stuff) represent very modest numbers in comparison to Long’s early-career production. Despite these somewhat disappointing numbers, Long was generally regarded as a player whose contributions were not always depicted in box scores. If Long is willing to take short money on another one year deal, he would almost assuredly be welcomed back in Foxborough as a rotational player. Retirement could also be a viable option for the 31-year old 9-year veteran.
Alan Branch
Generally regarded as the Patriots most effective and consistent defensive lineman all season, Alan Branch should be back in the fold for 2017. He represents exactly the kind of value the Patriots covet. Branch is unheralded and, at 32 years old, should be able to be had on a short term deal.
LeGarrette Blount
Despite a team-record 18 TDs in 2016 and over 1,100 yards rushing, LeGarrette Blount’s role on the team was greatly diminished by the end of the season. It is possible that Blount’s powerful running style led the 30-year old to wear down over the course of the year. With Dion Lewis and James White under contract, there is considerable reason to wonder if Blount will be back in 2017. If Blount is back, it would likely be on a near league-minimum deal, and in a reduced role from what we saw from him in 2016. The early assumption here is the Blount will be elsewhere in 2017. The team will probably look to replace him with someone younger and more versatile.
Logan Ryan
Despite some early season struggles in 2016, Logan Ryan has represented a serviceable number two cornerback for the majority of the last two seasons. With Malcolm Butler heading towards unrestricted free agency in 2018, it is likely the Patriots offers to Ryan will be modest. Expect another team to throw a lot of money at Ryan, ala Byron Maxwell, with the hopes of him taking the next step, and emerging as a number one corner. Ryan will likely be elsewhere, and handsomely paid, in 2017.
Duron Harmon
Duron Harmon was considered to be a bit of a reach when the team grabbed him in the third round of the 2013 draft. The fact that the team thought more highly of Harmon then, as opposed to other teams, possibly suggests that the team still values him a bit more than other teams may. A serviceable backup safety who allows the team to deploy Devin McCourty in a variety of roles, there is every reason to assume that Harmon will be back in 2017.
James Develin
The Patriots absolutely love James Develin. In an era when fullbacks are somewhat obsolete, there is little reason to expect him to wind up elsewhere.
Jabaal Sheard
Entering the season with high expectations, Jabaal Sheard was a huge disappointment in 2016. He did rebound some after Week 11, in which he was a healthy scratch. Despite a decent finish to his season, Sheard will likely look for a fresh start in 2017.
Brandon Bolden
Brandon Bolden is similar to Develin, in that the team absolutely loves him and will probably pay more for his skill set than other teams. Expect the Special Teams ace to be back in 2017.
Sebastian Vollmer
The long time right tackle missed the entire season due to injury. With Marcus Cannon emerging as an All-Pro-level RT, Vollmer will not be back in 2017. Retirement is a very likely option for the massive German.
Michael Floyd
Michael Floyd has said all of the right things in terms of how much he enjoyed his time in Foxborough and that he would definitely love to come back. While it was in a limited time frame, it is clear that Floyd was not able to get on the same page as Tom Brady in his 2016 trial run. With his ongoing legal matters, and the backlash the team incurred as a result of signing the troubled wide receiver, the guess here is that the Patriots let Floyd resurrect his career elsewhere.
Barkevious Mingo
The former first round pick was given the chance to restart his career in New England. Unfortunately for Mingo, he was unable to surpass Kyle Van Noy or Shea McClellin on the LB depth chart, relegating him to Special Teams contributions. If he does not get any substantive offers elsewhere, Belichick would likely have him back as a core Special Teams piece, if nothing else. It is probably a good bet, however, that Mingo will be given one more chance, elsewhere, to establish himself as a pass rusher.
Greg Scruggs
Greg Scruggs is a depth tight end. With the way Bill Belichick stockpiles tight end, its entirely likely Scruggs is back as a depth option.
