Here's my list of the Top 10 NFL Free Agents I would like to see the Patriots Target this Offseason.
1. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City - I'm ready to move on from Wes Welker. I feel like the Patriots offense needs to go in a different direction. I think the place to start is to find a big physical outside receiver. The Patriots have enough weapons in the middle of the field with Gronkowski and Hernandez. They need to spread it out, have the ability to go deep, and give Brady a receiver who he can just throw it up to and let him go get it. To me the player that fits all those needs is Kansas City Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe. He is a physical outside receiver who has speed and can bring an element to the Patriots offense they haven't had during the Brady era. Also note recently added offensive assistant Brian Daboll was Bowe's offensive coordinator in Kansas City last season.
2. Aqib Talib, CB, New England - When Aqib Talib arrived in New England back in November the Patriots Defense improved dramatically. He changed the way the Patriots defense played. He is exactly the type of player the Patriots need and they can't afford to loss him. He might not be the best Cornerback in the NFL but he's pretty good and he works in the New England system. If the Patriots are at all concerned they can't sign him long term they should Franchise him.
3. Sebastian Vollmer, OT, New England - I thought Sebastian Vollmer played at a Pro Bowl level in 2012. He is a tremendous pass protector which is critical in the Patriots offense. He is a young offensive lineman who has a lot of good years left. His back injuries are a concern but he got through 2012 relatively healthy. Personally I believe Vollmer is the type of guy the Patriots can resign on a hometown discount. I really want him back in a Patriots uniform and I expect them to get a deal done.
4. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore - The Patriots need a veteran on their young defense and I think Reed is the perfect player for that role. He might not be the player he used to be but he still provides a presence in the secondary. He is such a great leader and basically a coach on the field which might be the biggest need on this defense. His great relationship with Bill Belichick makes the signing more likely.
5. Sean Smith, CB, Miami - There hasn't been a lot of buzz surrounding Sean Smith so far this offseason but I'm telling you there should be. I love this player. He brings a swagger at cornerback like not too many players can. He is durable and dependable. He has great size and can compete with big physical receivers. He would be perfect on the Patriots defense.
6. Louis Delmas, S, Detroit - Delmas is no Ed Reed but I think he has some similarities to Reed. He is a playmaking safety who has good leadership qualities. He would be a nice compliment next to McCourty at safety. He is a pretty physical safety as well which the Patriots need.
7. Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis - I want the Patriots to bring in Amendola to fill a Wes Welker type of role. Like I said before I want the Patriots to change their offense a bit but if they are going to continue to use a slot receiver I want them to go with the cheaper younger Amendola over bringing back Welker. I would also like to see then bring back Julian Edelman and let him and Amendola compete for the slot receiver position. I believe that Welker was a product of the Patriots system and if Amendola stays healthy, which I understand is a big if, he can put up numbers similar to that of Welker.
8. Desmond Bryant, DT, Oakland - Bryant is a solid inside pass rusher. He would bring a presence that the Patriots were hoping Fanene would provide last season. Belichick went after a pass rushing defensive tackle last season and I expect him to do it again this offseason and Bryant might be the best available.
9. Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis - I've been saying since midseason that the Patriots need to upgrade the defensive end position. While Rob Ninkovich was pretty solid I think the best scenario is to move him back to Linebacker and have him rotate in on passing downs as he is the best coverage linebacker they have and get a better defensive end opposite Chandler Jones. Freeney struggled in Indy last season as they switched to a 3-4 defense and asked him to move to outside linebacker. Freeney is a defensive end and he'll be looking to go to a team where he can move back to that position. The Patriots really need to improve their pass rush and Freeney would do just that. He would also be another example of adding veteran leadership to this defense.
10. Dashon Goldson, S, San Francisco - Goldson is more of a strong safety. He is a hard hitter who is great in run support but is also pretty good in coverage. He is different then other safeties on this list but would still fit nicely next to McCourty. The Patriots had him in for a visit last offseason so clearly they like him. Maybe this time around they will sign him. Obviously I feel like Safety is one of the Patriots biggest needs so I'd probably be on board with almost anyone, as long as they bring some physicality and play making ability.
1. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City - I'm ready to move on from Wes Welker. I feel like the Patriots offense needs to go in a different direction. I think the place to start is to find a big physical outside receiver. The Patriots have enough weapons in the middle of the field with Gronkowski and Hernandez. They need to spread it out, have the ability to go deep, and give Brady a receiver who he can just throw it up to and let him go get it. To me the player that fits all those needs is Kansas City Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe. He is a physical outside receiver who has speed and can bring an element to the Patriots offense they haven't had during the Brady era. Also note recently added offensive assistant Brian Daboll was Bowe's offensive coordinator in Kansas City last season.
2. Aqib Talib, CB, New England - When Aqib Talib arrived in New England back in November the Patriots Defense improved dramatically. He changed the way the Patriots defense played. He is exactly the type of player the Patriots need and they can't afford to loss him. He might not be the best Cornerback in the NFL but he's pretty good and he works in the New England system. If the Patriots are at all concerned they can't sign him long term they should Franchise him.
3. Sebastian Vollmer, OT, New England - I thought Sebastian Vollmer played at a Pro Bowl level in 2012. He is a tremendous pass protector which is critical in the Patriots offense. He is a young offensive lineman who has a lot of good years left. His back injuries are a concern but he got through 2012 relatively healthy. Personally I believe Vollmer is the type of guy the Patriots can resign on a hometown discount. I really want him back in a Patriots uniform and I expect them to get a deal done.
4. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore - The Patriots need a veteran on their young defense and I think Reed is the perfect player for that role. He might not be the player he used to be but he still provides a presence in the secondary. He is such a great leader and basically a coach on the field which might be the biggest need on this defense. His great relationship with Bill Belichick makes the signing more likely.
5. Sean Smith, CB, Miami - There hasn't been a lot of buzz surrounding Sean Smith so far this offseason but I'm telling you there should be. I love this player. He brings a swagger at cornerback like not too many players can. He is durable and dependable. He has great size and can compete with big physical receivers. He would be perfect on the Patriots defense.
6. Louis Delmas, S, Detroit - Delmas is no Ed Reed but I think he has some similarities to Reed. He is a playmaking safety who has good leadership qualities. He would be a nice compliment next to McCourty at safety. He is a pretty physical safety as well which the Patriots need.
7. Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis - I want the Patriots to bring in Amendola to fill a Wes Welker type of role. Like I said before I want the Patriots to change their offense a bit but if they are going to continue to use a slot receiver I want them to go with the cheaper younger Amendola over bringing back Welker. I would also like to see then bring back Julian Edelman and let him and Amendola compete for the slot receiver position. I believe that Welker was a product of the Patriots system and if Amendola stays healthy, which I understand is a big if, he can put up numbers similar to that of Welker.
8. Desmond Bryant, DT, Oakland - Bryant is a solid inside pass rusher. He would bring a presence that the Patriots were hoping Fanene would provide last season. Belichick went after a pass rushing defensive tackle last season and I expect him to do it again this offseason and Bryant might be the best available.
9. Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis - I've been saying since midseason that the Patriots need to upgrade the defensive end position. While Rob Ninkovich was pretty solid I think the best scenario is to move him back to Linebacker and have him rotate in on passing downs as he is the best coverage linebacker they have and get a better defensive end opposite Chandler Jones. Freeney struggled in Indy last season as they switched to a 3-4 defense and asked him to move to outside linebacker. Freeney is a defensive end and he'll be looking to go to a team where he can move back to that position. The Patriots really need to improve their pass rush and Freeney would do just that. He would also be another example of adding veteran leadership to this defense.
10. Dashon Goldson, S, San Francisco - Goldson is more of a strong safety. He is a hard hitter who is great in run support but is also pretty good in coverage. He is different then other safeties on this list but would still fit nicely next to McCourty. The Patriots had him in for a visit last offseason so clearly they like him. Maybe this time around they will sign him. Obviously I feel like Safety is one of the Patriots biggest needs so I'd probably be on board with almost anyone, as long as they bring some physicality and play making ability.
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