Here’s the list of the Patriots’ free agents
Trey Flowers and Trent Brown stand tall among some big decisions.
Coaching free agency hasn’t been particularly kind to the Patriots, with six members of Bill Belichick’s staff — thanks largely to departed linebackers coach Brian Flores, who nabbed three colleagues for his new staff with the Miami Dolphins — not coming back for 2019.
Next comes player free agency, which formally begins along with the new league year at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, but will really start to simmer on Monday, when the legal tampering period kicks off. Or, in the league’s words, when “clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents.”
The reigning Super Bowl champions have 16 such players, given they’ve already released tight end Dwayne Allen and brought back reserve offensive lineman Brian Schwenke, plus another three restricted free agents to whom they retain rights provided the Patriots make a contract offer to them before the 4 p.m. Wednesday deadline.
Here’s a rundown, with age and salary figures from Spotrac.
Unrestricted free agents
Players who have completed four or more accrued seasons and can sign with any club with no draft choice compensation owed to the Patriots.Trey Flowers, DEAge:
26
2018: Started 18 of 19 games — he was inactive for the other — and had 62 tackles, 9.5 sacks (a team-best 7.5 in the regular season), and 3 forced fumbles (tied for the team high).
2018 Actual Salary: $1,907,000
Skinny: Team sack leader each of the last three years brought the Super Bowl trophy to Springfield earlier in the week and talked up wanting another Super Bowl with New England, but the third-best edge defender according to Pro Football Focus figures to have big money thrown his way.
Trent Brown, LT
Age: 26
2018: Started all 19 games and was off the field for just 30 of 1,119 offensive snaps in the regular season. Tom Brady, for comparison, missed 27.
2018 Actual Salary: $1,907,000
Skinny: Last year’s top pick Isaiah Wynn seems the left tackle of the future, provided he comes back from his torn Achilles well, and Brown seems to know just what he’s worth.
Stephen Gostkowski, K
Age: 35
2018: 32-of-38 field goals (84.2 pct.), missing only a 46-yarder in the first quarter of the Super Bowl in the playoffs, plus 59-of-60 extra points.
2018 Actual Salary: $3.5 million
Thoughts: The second-longest tenured Patriot to Tom Brady at 13 seasons, Gostkowski was outside the top 10 in field goal percentage for two of the four years in his just-completed contract and took a step back on kickoffs this season. He remains the last Patriot to be franchise tagged (2015), but the team didn’t use it this year on anyone.
Ryan Allen, P
Age: 29
2018: Averaged 45.1 yards/punt, seventh-best in team history, and pinned the Rams inside the 10 without a touchback on three of his five Super Bowl punts.
2018 Actual Salary: $1.5 million
Skinny: His best game was his last, though he was probably the star of the blowout in Tennessee, and also holds for field goals and extra points.
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR
Age: 28
2018: Made 42 rushes (228 yards, TD) compared to catching 21 passes (247, 3 TD), plus served as the primary kick returner. Got just seven offensive touches in the postseason.
2018 Actual Salary: $3.25 million
Skinny: Versatility was his most valuable asset, and by all accounts is a good presence in the locker room.
Chris Hogan, WR
Age: 30
2018: 35 catches (5th on team) for 532 yards and 3 touchdowns in the regular season, replacing Josh Gordon in the starting lineup after his departure. Caught just 8 balls in the playoffs.
2018 Actual Salary: $3.5 million
Skinny: Clearly became a secondary piece upon Gordon’s arrival, targeted just 14 times in eight games at one point. Had just one touchdown after Sept. 16.
Phillip Dorsett, WR
Age: 26
2018: Caught 32 passes for 290 yards and 3 touchdowns in the regular season, playing in every game, plus caught the team’s only two receiving touchdowns in the playoffs.
2018 Actual Salary: $1,244,373
Skinny: The former first-round pick told ESPN that he wants to be a starter, something he did only twice last season, though the Patriots receiving corps is wide open for 2019.
Jason McCourty, CB
Age: 32
2018: Starting left cornerback had 68 tackles (4th on team), with 10 passes defensed (2nd) and an interception in the regular season. Made arguably the defensive play of the Super Bowl.
2018 Actual Salary: $3.382 million
Skinny: His brother Devin isn’t retiring and plans to be back, though the Patriots could have plenty of younger, cheaper options at cornerback than Jason.
Eric Rowe, CB
Age: 26
2018: Had nine tackles in four games, going on injured reserve with a groin injury at the end of October.
2018 Actual Salary: $1,100,435
Skinny: Played just 21 games in his three years with New England due to injuries. Was given a high profile spot in the secondary, but team appeared to be just fine without him.
Malcom Brown, DT
Age: 25
2018: Started 16 of 19 games, including playoffs, and had 42 tackles and a fumble recovery.
2018 Actual Salary: $1,473,167
Skinny: No. 32 overall pick in 2015 had an $8 million, fifth-year option declined. Played second-most snaps among Patriots defensive linemen, but that meant fewer than 44 percent.
Danny Shelton, DT
Age: 26
2018: 21 tackles in 13 regular-season games, plus two more in the playoffs, including an award winner. Was inactive four games against two starts.
2018 Actual Salary: $2,030,954
Skinny: First-rounder acquired in a March trade with Cleveland had an $8 million, fifth-year option on his rookie deal declined, but would reportedly “welcome a return.”
John Simon, DE
Age: 28
2018: Had 22 tackles and 2.5 sacks after joining team in late September and got the start in the AFC Championship game. Fourth in snaps among defensive ends.
2018 Actual Salary: $1,105,699
Skinny: Told ESPN that “there’s been some talks, and things look promising” regarding a return for next season.
LaAdrian Waddle, OT
Age: 28
2018 Actual Salary: $1.75 million
Skinny: Played all 19 games, but started only three and was on the field for fewer than a third of the offensive snaps.
Ramon Humber, OLB
Age: 32
2018 Actual Salary: $376,764
Skinny: Backup linebacker was a midseason addition from Indianapolis and game the special teams a needed boost, tying Matthew Slater for most tackles in the postseason with three.
Albert McClellan, ILB
Age: 33
2018: Signed Nov. 6, he had two tackles in 10 games and two blocked punts in one half at Miami.
2018 Actual Salary: $371,765
Skinny: Much like Humber, he helped stabilize the special teams unit.
Ulrick John, LT
Age: 27
2018 Actual Salary: $473,000
Skinny: Spent the entire season on injured reserve. Could be a depth option if Trent Brown leaves and there’s concern about Isaiah Wynn coming off injury.
Restricted free agents
If a player with three accrued seasons receives a qualifying offer from the Patriots, the team can match any offer given to the player by a new team and keep him or receive draft choice compensation depending on the amount of the qualifying offer.Josh Gordon, WRAge:
28
2018: In 11 starts before his suspension, 40 catches for 720 yards (which was more than Rob Gronkowski) and 3 touchdowns.
2018 Actual Salary: $604,117
Skinny: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said groundwork could begin to be laid for Gordon’s potential return to the NFL in May if he remains on track to recovery. His RFA status could make for some intriguing decisions.
Jonathan Jones, CB
Age: 25
2018: Played in all 19 games, starting both the AFC Championship and Super Bowl, totaling 60 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 2.5 sacks.
2018 Actual Salary: $630,000
Skinny: Saw a big reduction in snaps during the latter half of the season, though finished strong.
Cody Hollister, WR
Age: 25
2018: Practice squad receiver had back surgery during the summer and missed the whole year.
2018 Actual Salary: $363,000
Skinny: Exclusive rights free agent, meaning once Patriots make him a contract offer, he can either sign it or sit out the season.
