6 rings and football things: ranking the patriots' pending free agents
The Patriots have 24 pending free agents heading into the 2024 season and, after Jerod Mayo told WEEI's The Greg Hill Show on Monday that he's ready to "burn some cash" on the market, it's safe to assume that some of that money will be going to internal players whose contracts are set to expire.
In our inaugural "Wednesday One-Off" episode on the 6 Rings and Football Things podcast, Andy Hart and I ranked all 24 in priority order from least to most important. Here's a peek:
I took it a step further, sans collaboration, for the website. Here's a look at my priority order of Patriots pending free agents, with a snippet on each:
24. QB Nathan Rourke (ERFA)
The Patriots claimed Rourke after his release from the Jacksonville Jaguars in December. He served as the team’s emergency third QB on several occasions and was Bailey Zappe’s backup in their Week 18 season finale versus the Jets.
With New England likely set for a quarterback room reset, Rourke is last on the priority list this offseason.
23. ST Matthew Slater (UFA)
All signs point to the long-time special teamer retiring after 16 NFL seasons but, if he does decide to continue playing, it’d most certainly be in New England.
22. WR Tre Nixon (ERFA)
A former training camp hero, Nixon spend the 2023-24 season on IR after suffering a shoulder injury in the Patriots’ preseason game vs. the Packers this summer.
Given his inability to shine outside of preseason play, I don’t see Nixon being re-signed this spring.
21. LB Terez Hall (RFA)
Like Nixon, Terez Hall spent the entire 2023 season on injured reserve after being released this past summer.
I don’t see New England prioritizing keeping the linebacker around for 2024.
20. OT Riley Reiff (UFA)
After signing a one-year, $5 million contract with the Patriots this offseason, the now-35-year-old journeyman was placed on injured reserve twice in 2023 and played in just one game.
19. LB Christian Elliss (ERFA)
Over the course of putting together their worst season in 20+ years, the Patriots took advantage of their high position on the NFL’s waiver wire, claming four players over the course of the season.
One of which was linebacker Christian Elliss, who five other teams put in claims for. New England’s high priority got them the special teamer.
Perhaps he returns as clearly he was a prized possession, but I wouldn’t expect Jerod Mayo and co. to be pouding the table to keep him.
18. ST Cody Davis (UFA)
Speaking of special teamers, Cody Davis has been a core special teamer with the Patriots since 2020 despite being listed as a safety on the roster.
The former Texas Tech Red Raider started 2023 on the reserve/PUP list after tearing his ACL in 2022. Now 34 years old, you wonder if he’ll return to football at all in ‘24.
17. IOL James Ferentz (UFA)
Ferentz spent the majority of 2023-24 on the practice squad but was elevated to the Patriots active roster for depth purposes for the final three games of the season.
According to the Boston Herald, Ferentz also served as a de facto coaching assistant this season after offensive line coach Adrian Klemm took a medical leave of absence. Perhaps the 34-year-old takes the full-time coaching route moving forward.
16. OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (ERFA)
The Patriots 2022 fourth-round pick Pierre Strong Jr. to the Browns this past summer in exchange for Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Wheatley, a 6-foot-6 tackle who went undrafted out of Stony Brook in 2020, projected as a developmental depth-piece along the offensive line. He dressed in just two games for the Patriots in 2023 and spent the majority of the season on injured reserve.
15. WR Jalen Reagor (UFA)
A former first round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, Reagor caught just six passes for 105 yards (and a career high 17.5 YPC) for the Patriots in 2023.
He was also used as a kick returner towards the end of the season, and took the opening kickoff of their penultimate game of the season vs. the Bills to the house for a touchdown. Perhaps his return ability can keep him around Foxborough for another year.
14. CB Myles Bryant (UFA)
He may not be a fan favorite, but Myles Bryant has been an important piece of the Patriots roster over the last four seasons.
The former Washington Huskie is also a Bill Belichick and cornerbacks coach Mike Pelligrino favorite. I would expect him to wind up with the Falcons rather than Foxborough in 2024.
13. RB Ezekiel Elliott (UFA)
Arguably the best free agent signing the Patriots made, Ezekiel Elliott was a consummate pro for New England in 2023. The former Cowboy ran for 642 yards and three touchdowns on 184 carries, added 51 receptions for 313 yards and two touchdowns, and stepped up when it mattered most after Rhamondre Stevenson’s season ended with an ankle injury.
He’s a running back, though. Their shelf lives are small and someone will likely overpay for his services this spring.
12. CB Alex Austin (ERFA)
Like they did with Christian Elliss, New England used their high priority to claim cornerback Alex Austin off waivers in early November.
The 2023 seventh round pick didn’t make his Patriots debut until over a month later, but made his chance count. He tallied nine tackles and his first career interception throughout the team’s final five games.
Austin is an exclusive rights free agent, and can return to the team on the league minimum if they choose. He’s deserving of the opportunity.
11. S Jalen Mills (UFA)
Jalen Mills started just eight games in 2023, his lowest as a Patriot, and played just 40% of the team’s snaps with the emergence of Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers.
Depending on what they do with Dugger, which will get to, Mills’ status on the team could range from ‘very’ to ‘hardly’ important.
10. OT Trent Brown (UFA)
While Trent Brown’s season ended disastrously with several injuries, a “healthy” scratch, and plenty of rumors swirling about his work ethic, it’s hard to argue against his ability as a player when he’s 100% and ready to go.
For the right price and the approval of team leaders in the locker room, a reunion with Brown could make sense, especially if they need to protect a rookie quarterback.
9. TE Mike Gesicki (UFA)
After signing Gesicki to a one-year, $10 million contract this offseason, the Patriots got just 29 catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns from the thought-to-be redzone machine.
The problem? They currently have no tight end under contract for 2024. That’s why he cracks the top ten.
8. TE Pharaoh Brown (UFA)
Like Gesicki, Pharaoh Brown makes the top ten given the need at the position. The former Houston Texan and Indianapolis Colt exceeded expectations this season, given that he didn’t arrive in Foxborough until late August.
7. LB Mack Wilson Sr. (UFA)
Likebacker Mack Wilson Sr. impressed in 2023 after the Patriots adjusted his role a bit and used him as a pass rusher as much as they did a true linebacker. He tallied a career high 3.5 sacks.
The former fifth round pick out of Alabama is also a massive fan of the Jerod Mayo hiring, which could help getting him to return to Foxborough.
6. WR Kendrick Bourne (UFA)
Kendrick Bourne was on his way to a career season in 2023 before tearing his ACL in October. The wide receiver who packs all of the energy, something head coach Jerod Mayo said New England needs, caught 37 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns in the team’s first eight games.
Given his return from injury, Bourne likely warrants a “prove it” year in 2024. The Patriots should be all over it.
5. OLB Josh Uche (UFA)
Uche came into 2023, a contract year, off of a 27 tackle, 11.5 sack season and ready to get himself paid.
Unfortunately an injury and, honestly, some poor play could keep the Brinks truck from backing into his driveway. The 2020 second round pick has plenty of potential though and his down season could help the Patriots bring him back at a good price.
4. OLB Anfernee Jennings (UFA)
After beginning the 2023-24 season as a healthy scratch in Week 1 vs. the Eagles, Patriots outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings came on strong to finish the year.
The 2020 third round pick out of Alabama tallied 66 tackles, 15 run stuffs, and 1.5 sacks in 2023 (all career highs) and has set himself up for a solid payday this March. His versatility puts him one spot higher than Uche on my list.
3. TE Hunter Henry (UFA)
As mentioned above, the Patriots are in dire need for tight ends and not only was Hunter Henry their best one last season, but he was also named a captain.
Jerod Mayo cited Henry when talking about New England’s leadership on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show on Monday, telling me that he’s at least in their plans. Perhaps a franchise tag is in order for the 29-year-old.
2. S Kyle Dugger (UFA)
After finishing 2023 with 71 tackles, two interceptions, and 1.5 sacks, Kyle Dugger projects to be one of the highest paid safeties on the free agent market this offseason.
The Patriots should make him one.
The 2020 second round pick out of Lenoir-Rhyne has blown his draft day projections out of the water and while his knock is his below average pass-coverage ability, he’s continued to make improvements in the department year after year.
There isn’t an excuse for Dugger to not be playing football in Foxborough in 2024.
1. OL Mike Onwenu (UFA)
The most important re-signing the Patriots have to make this offseason is of Mike Onwenu.
Onwenu is expected to be one of the top available offensive lineman in free agency this spring and according to a piece from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler last weekend, New England, “essentially know [he’s] not coming back.”
NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry refuted Fowler’s claim on Tuesday, saying that, “one team source indicated that there is a real affinity for Onwenu's game in the building and that they'd like to have him back in Foxboro for 2024 and beyond.”
Onwenu has been a godsend for the Patriots since they selected him in the sixth round of the 2020 draft. He started all 16 games at right tackle as a rookie, and has started 40 games since at both guard and tackle over the last three seasons. The 26-year-old is widely considered one of the better young linemen in football.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
Ranking the Patriots' 24 pending free agents - WEEI
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