{"id":100695,"date":"2022-03-10T22:20:44","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T03:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=100695"},"modified":"2022-03-10T23:55:50","modified_gmt":"2022-03-11T04:55:50","slug":"lazars-free-agency-primer-patriots-pursuing-upgrades-at-wide-receiver-heading-into-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=100695","title":{"rendered":"Lazar’s Free Agency Primer: Patriots Pursuing Upgrades at Wide Receiver Heading Into Free Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a record-setting offseason a year ago, the Patriots are in a much different spot heading into this free agency period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to cap wizard Miguel Benzan, Bill Belichick currently has roughly $10 million in cap space to play with when free agency opens unofficially on March 14 and then officially on March 16 at 4 pm ET.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New England could create more cap space by extending players or borrowing from future seasons, but the league-wide expectation is that the Pats won\u2019t be in on the top free-agents set to hit the market.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, the Patriots will focus on retaining their own free agents and search for value signings or buy-low candidates in the lower financial brackets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Along those lines, star corner J.C. Jackson has priced himself out of New England at this stage. According to a source close to Jackson, contract talks with the Patriots were “never close” heading into free agency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the Patriots\u2019 current financial state is dictating their plans, there\u2019s one exception they might make to upgrade their roster.<\/span><\/p>\n

Multiple league sources tell CLNS Media that the Patriots are seriously seeking upgrades at wide receiver via the veteran market in an effort to acquire a true number one weapon and could then look to move Nelson Agholor if the right opportunity presents itself. Sources also indicate the Patriots have made calls on wide receivers at lower levels of the market as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

New England would create nearly $10 million in cap space by trading Agholor, who doesn\u2019t have much trade value but could still be moved for a small return, opening his cap hold on their ledger for a fresh face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Initially, the Patriots entered the sweepstakes for Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley before news came to light that Ridley would be suspended for the entire 2022 season, but were out-bid by the Philadelphia Eagles armed with three first-round picks before Atlanta pulled out of the deal due to the suspension.<\/p>\n

New England could also make a run at Allen Robinson, who they were prepared to chase last offseason before the Bears franchise tagged him. <\/span>The 28-year-old Robinson is projected to receive a three-year deal worth $15 million per season as an unrestricted free agent, which is doable for the Patriots who typically backload contracts (example: Hunter Henry had a cap hit of $6.8M in 2021 on a three-year, $37.5M deal).<\/span><\/p>\n

According to a league source, the Patriots have also expressed interest in adding wide receiver and return specialist Jakeem Grant to the fold in an effort to add more speed offensively. Other names floated as potential options for New England were Carolina’s Robby Anderson (as first reported by BSJ’s Greg Bedard), Packers restricted free-agent Allen Lazard, D.J. Chark, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots feel they\u2019re not far away offensively, with nine of 11 starters projected to return and G\/T Mike Onwenu taking a starting spot on the offensive line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New England is hopeful that Kendrick Bourne will reach another level in year two with the team, while Jakobi Meyers is expected back on a one-year restricted free agent tender, and James White wants to return. Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, and running back duo Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson round out a solid foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, there\u2019s an anticipated year-two leap for quarterback Mac Jones bringing it all together.<\/span><\/p>\n

Truly, the last piece of the puzzle is a wide receiver at the top of the depth chart. By acquiring a veteran wideout, Belichick can then turn his attention to reloading defensively in a highly-touted 2022 draft class.<\/span><\/p>\n

As always, the market will dictate if a move comes to fruition for the Patriots. But make no mistake about it; the goal this offseason is to find Mac Jones a true number one weapon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without further ado, let\u2019s empty the mailbag filled with your free-agency related questions:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Amari Cooper<\/p>\n

— Give us back the pick \u2618\ufe0f ???? ??? ? ??? (@RBostonfan) March 9, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n