The 2023 NFL Draft is already over, but it’s not time to find free agents. Let’s see how the New England Patriots want to use their remaining cap space and capital. Here we take a look at three free agents the Patriots are targeting after the 2023 NFL Draft to bolster their roster.
Despite adding some promising talent in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Patriots still have some personnel issues to address. They used their picks in the draft to try and address important needs and bolster their depth before the upcoming season. That being said, there is still plenty of room for improvement for the Patriots.
General manager Bill Belichick admitted the team still has holes to fill on its depth chart. They still have some salary cap space to find players who can contribute to their success this coming season.
Of course, if the Patriots perform as expected, they can have a successful campaign. However, when faced with important decisions in the future, they must use their remaining resources wisely.
Let’s take a look at three free agents to bolster the roster that the Patriots should target after the 2023 NFL Draft.
Frank Clark is a great addition to a team looking for an experienced veteran with a playoff winning mentality. Although his regular season stats may not have been eye-popping compared to other free agents, Clark consistently delivered for Kansas City when it mattered most. In his four years with the team, Clark posted an impressive 10.5 sacks in 12 playoff games and played a key role in two Super Bowl runs.
Approaching his 30s and coming off a relatively modest five-sack season, Clark could benefit from a reduced role as his production declines. However, he remains a powerful rusher who excels in defending the run. Moreover, his story speaks for itself. He has consistently stepped up his performance in the playoffs.
Despite his impressive resume, Clark is still ready to compete as a free agent. A key contributor to the Super Bowl championships, Clark’s most recent season included five sacks, 39 tackles, 13 QB hits and 24 pressures in 15 games. That said, the path to securing a free agent deal will become clearer as OTAs approach. Additionally, Clark’s productivity is noteworthy, ranking among the NFL’s 20 edge players for total pressure last season.
Frank Clark sacked Brady
(as if @NFLBrasil)pic.twitter.com/IrLsuzlWeo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 7, 2021
Jadeveon Clowney’s presence in free agency has become an annual event. After being signed by the Cleveland Browns in April 2021 and joining in May of last year, it is certain that Cleveland will not sign him this time around. In previous reports, Clooney emphasized his desire to be with an organization that believes in him.
Although his sack numbers have been inconsistent throughout his career, it’s important to consider his contributions beyond that stat. He is known for being a strong run defender and a reliable secondary pass rusher. However, he was injured. He hasn’t gone an entire season without missing at least one game since 2017. However, for teams looking for solid defensive starting depth, Clowney will still be valuable to their rotation.
Unfortunately, Clowney’s two-year stint with the Browns has come to an end. He was sent home for the finals because of his comments to the media criticizing the organization and the coaching staff. Despite this disappointing finish, Clowney had an impressive debut season with the Browns. In that first season in Cleveland, he recorded nine sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 19 QBs in 14 games. But his numbers dipped the following season, with just two sacks and four tackles for loss in 12 games. The former No. 1 overall pick, who recently turned 30, has played 63 percent of his snaps through the 2022 season.
Following the NFL Draft, Teddy Bridgewater emerged as an intriguing option for several teams in need of a veteran QB. Many teams recognize the value of having an experienced player like Bridgewater on their roster and are considering adding him for a number of reasons.
Bridgewater showed his potential as a starting quarterback for the Vikings during his first two years in the league in 2014 and 2015. In his rookie season, he amassed 2,919 passing yards and threw 14 touchdowns. The following year, he led the Vikings to an impressive 11-5 record and made the playoffs.
Given his experience and skill set, any team looking to add a veteran presence to their quarterback division is likely to prioritize acquiring the 30-year-old Bridgewater. He accumulated 65 NFL starts in total, including two starts for the Dolphins in 2022, both of which were cut due to injury. He completed 62 percent of his passes last season, threw for 683 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions on 79 attempts.
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