Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Tershawn Wharton (98) holds up the football as he celebrates his interception against the Washington Football Team during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Landover, Md. Chiefs won 31-13. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Defensive Tackle: Tershawn Wharton (Kansas City Chiefs)
Wharton has put together a very nice season in 2024, finishing with 6.5 sacks and totaling 33 pressures by the end of the regular season. He’s a very skilled pass rusher, but did struggle against the run, posting a 44.3 PFF grade, ranking him 161st out of 219 eligible defensive tackles. The Patriots were last in the NFL in sacks per game last season and desperately need to add players who can get after the QB. Christian Barmore’s return is sure to help with that, but that shouldn’t excuse them from going after a player like Wharton. Pending free agents Deatrich Wise and Daniel Ekuale are aging and have become less effective with time. Wharton would add a much-needed boost to the Patriots’ pass rush.
Edge Defender: Chase Young (New Orleans Saints)
While I linked the Patriots to a potential Josh Sweat deal in my Scouting the Super Bowl article, I opted to switch things up with Chase Young this time around. Young is two years younger than Sweat, which could lead a currently uncompetitive team to be more attracted to a longer-term deal. The former second overall pick hasn’t been the perennial DPOY candidate that was promised, but his career hasn’t been anything to scoff at. He put together a 5.5 sack year in New Orleans in which he recorded 66 pressures, 7th in the league. At just 25, though, he’ll likely be one of the most sought-after players on the market at his position. I’d expect at least $15 million a season to come Young’s way. Should the team find a way to grab Abdul Carter with the No. 4 pick and sign Young, they could have one of the best and most youthful edge duos in football.
Tennessee Titans running back Montreal Hilliard, left, fumbles the ball as he is hit by Houston Texans outside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
Linebacker: Zach Cunningham (Denver Broncos)
A former player of Mike Vrabel’s in Tennessee, Zach Cunningham has struggled with injuries throughout his career, and this past season was no different. He hasn’t played a full season since 2020 and recorded stats in only two games with Denver this past season, a disappointing reality given his 85 total tackles with the Eagles in 2023. Cunningham was released along with former franchise left tackle Taylor Lewan by the Titans to save cap space in 2022, but there doesn’t seem to be any bad blood between him and Vrabel. Cunningham managed to play only 10 games with the team due to injury from 2021 to early 2023, when they cut ties. The linebacker could compete for a backup role with pending restricted free agent Christian Elliss behind Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai, if signed. However, the team could look for younger options than the 30-year-old.
Cornerback: D.J. Reed (New York Jets)
It’ll be a battle between D.J. Reed and Charvarius Ward for the highest paid cornerback in free agency, and the Patriots should absolutely be a part of that battle. While there’s a chance they’ll prefer to go to a playoff team, money talks. Christian Gonzalez showed some top-tier play last season, but Marcus Jones struggled as the full time slot. Jonathan Jones is a pending free agent, and split time between outside corner, slot and free safety. Gonzalez didn’t tend to travel during the first half of last year but eventually had to. Adding Reed would alleviate Gonzalez from the need to be perfect and would aid in stopping Miami’s deadly Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle duo.
Defensive Back: Siran Neal (Miami Dolphins)
Versatility was a hallmark of some great Patriots defensive backfields of the past, and elite special teams have been a consistency throughout the past two decades. Siran Neal checks both boxes. Since entering the league from Jacksonville State in 2018, the now 30-year-old has played both as a safety and cornerback. In a defensive backfield that wasn’t elite last season, there were a handful of young players who showed some ability down the stretch, including Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden and, in the final game, the 6-foot-4 Miles Battle, who registered an 80.4 PFF grade in his single game. Adding another defensive back may seem redundant, but more experience and versatility is never a bad thing.
Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland (8) runs an interception back for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Safety: Jevon Holland (Miami Dolphins)
Barring a major restructuring of several contracts, Miami’s in a bit of a cap hell right now. Since they are $11 million in the negative with no obvious cut candidates, they’ll have to rely on the goodwill of players like Tua Tagovailoa, Bradley Chubb and Tyreek Hill to keep a team that went 8-9 last season together. While I’d expect Miami to find a way to franchise tag him, Holland should be the number one defensive player on the Patriots free agent board without a doubt. Jabrill Peppers had legal issues throughout last season, and Kyle Dugger has struggled to cover tight ends downfield despite his $70 million contract. Jaylinn Hawkins’ effort was admirable, but he isn’t a realistic long-term option at the free safety spot. Holland has caused the Patriots a lot of problems over the past few seasons, and they could stand to benefit greatly from adding an incredible player and leaving the Dolphins with a hole on their roster. As nice as it would be to add Reed, the addition of Holland may benefit the team even more.