{"id":160549,"date":"2024-02-01T09:36:52","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T14:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=160549"},"modified":"2024-02-01T09:36:52","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T14:36:52","slug":"four-new-england-patriots-make-espns-top-50-free-agents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/02\/01\/four-new-england-patriots-make-espns-top-50-free-agents\/","title":{"rendered":"Four New England Patriots Make ESPN\u2019s Top 50 Free Agents"},"content":{"rendered":"

ESPN has released its top 50 free agents<\/a> for the 2024 offseason. Among those 50 names, are four New England Patriots. Traditionally, you wouldn\u2019t expect a team that went 4-13 to have such hot commodities on the roster. However, with the Patriots defense being so stout all year<\/a>, this comes as much less of a surprise. With two defenders and two linemen finding their names on this list, how will it impact the Patriots as they gear up for a fresh start in 2024?<\/p>\n

Patriots Have Four Players Named to ESPN\u2019s Top 50 Free Agents<\/h2>\n

Obviously, the Patriots are in the midst of a total rebuild for this offseason, and there\u2019s a lot of work to be done both in free agency and the draft<\/a>. Part of that conversation is deciding which of their own players with expiring contracts have done enough to stick around<\/a>. Having four Patriots players on this top 50 free agents list highlights key decisions ahead for the team. Balancing retention with acquisitions will be crucial as they navigate this rebuilding phase.<\/p>\n

Kyle Dugger<\/h3>\n

Top 50 Rank: 25<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Kyle Dugger<\/a> came into New England with some pretty lofty expectations being the 37th overall pick in the draft. He started in seven games in his rookie season and then took a big jump in his second year. Dugger has developed his role within the defense each year on the roster, evolving into a very versatile player. In 2023 he saw an uptick in tackles and quarterback pressures \u2013 setting career-highs in both. This really showed just how effective he can be, not just in coverage.<\/p>\n

SpoTrac<\/a> has Dugger\u2019s market value listed at $16.5 million per year, which is on the higher end for the safety position. With Jabrill Peppers<\/a> coming back next year, and a decent draft class for safeties (this draft is deep at the position for the later rounds) there\u2019s a chance they don\u2019t want to cough up that much cash to keep him around. Dugger has excelled in this defensive scheme and his skillset has certainly benefited from being a part of this organization. In theory, that could cause him to want to stick around for a cheaper price tag.<\/p>\n

Michael Onwenu<\/h3>\n

Top 50 Rank: 26<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Michael Onwenu<\/a> came out of nowhere for Patriots fans this season. Amidst troubles on the offensive line, he was thrust into the starting lineup, at first at the guard spot. He quickly made the switch to tackle and nearly instantly improved his performance. Onwenu was graded as a top-ten tackle from week nine through the end of the season by Pro Football Focus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Given his standout performance at the position this year and Trent Brown\u2019s likely departure in his own free agency, Onwenu is the one player on this list the Patriots need to stick around the most. Overall, the $13.6 million market value for Onwenu seems like a no-brainer, if that\u2019s truly what it would take to keep him around. That would put him somewhere around the 27th highest-paid tackle in the NFL.<\/p>\n

Trent Brown<\/h3>\n

Top 50 Rank: 41<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Patriots and Trent Brown seem to be on completely different pages<\/a> right now. The tackle was made inactive for the final games of the season and since the season has ended, and has since made some not-so-great comments regarding the organization. Under the previous regime, there would\u2019ve been no question about it; they would let Brown go to another team. After talking about the organization to outsiders, he likely wouldn\u2019t have even gotten a contract offered to him.<\/p>\n

\n

Bill Belichick\u2019s answer to why Trent Brown was a healthy scratch today:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe activated the players we wanted to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

-OR-<\/p>\n

\u201cWe activated the players who wanted to play.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/1IH16r8NAm<\/a><\/p>\n

— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) December 31, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n