8 impending free agents for Patriots fans to watch in Super Bowl LVIII
There are several standouts on the 49ers and Chiefs who are set to hit free agency, though most are on the defensive side of the ball.
A handful of standout players on the 49ers and Chiefs will likely play in their final game for their respective teams in Super Bowl LVIII before hitting free agency in March.
The Patriots could stand to benefit from signing at least a couple of players who will play in Sunday’s game. They’re also in a good spot to do so if they wish. They’re set to have nearly $70 million in cap space this offseason and can easily create up to $85 million in cap space with a couple of roster moves.
New England did sign a player who played in last year’s Super Bowl, signing JuJu Smith-Schuster to a three-year, $25 million deal after he won a title with Kansas City. That signing hasn’t worked out well so far, but it shouldn’t preclude the Patriots to sign any players who are playing in Sunday’s game.
So, here are eight impending free agents to watch for in Super Bowl LVIII.
Chiefs DT Chris Jones
Not only is Jones the best free agent in Sunday’s game, but he’ll likely also be the best player on the market when free agency opens up in March. It’s unlikely that Jones will get franchise-tagged this offseason due to the Chiefs’ cap situation and both sides struggled to renegotiate his contract last offseason, with his holdout lasting through the first week of the regular season.
Jones has been one of the game’s best interior defensive linemen for several years, establishing himself as a near-perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He didn’t get heavy consideration for the award this season, but he still had a strong year. He recorded 30 total tackles (13 for loss) and 10.5 sacks, to go with 75 pressures and 21 run stops, according to Pro Football Focus. That stat line helped him earn his fifth All-Pro nod in the last six years, making it on the first team for the second straight season as he was the catalyst for one of the league’s best defensive units.
With his continued dominance and relatively younger age (he’ll turn 30 in July), Jones will naturally command a high payday. He’s projected to earn a four-year, $120 million contract by Pro Football Focus.
Of course, some might argue that it’s silly for the Patriots to spend that much money on a defensive player considering their offensive woes. But they do have a need only the defensive line with Lawrence Guy hitting free agency and their knack for rotating defensive linemen.
Jones would also be, by far, their most decorated player if they were to sign him, giving a roster bereft of star talent a much-needed talent boost.
Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed
The Chiefs didn’t end up with one of the league’s best pass defenses with Jones alone. Snead led the way for the unit on the backend, recording 78 total tackles, two interceptions, and 14 passes defended during the regular season.
Opposing quarterbacks had a tough time completing passes on Sneed in the regular season, with the corner allowing just 42 receptions on 81 targets for 406 yards without a touchdown, per PFF.
Sneed has allowed a touchdown in the playoffs, giving up a touchdown catch to Khalil Shakir in the Chiefs’ Divisional Round win over the Bills, but has still been a big reason why opposing quarterbacks haven’t found much success against the Chiefs so far this postseason.
In addition to his strong season in pass coverage this year, Sneed had a really strong season as a tackler in 2022. He recorded a whopping 108 combined tackles, among the best for a corner that season, as he also was near the top for corners in sacks (3.5) and forced fumbles (three).
The Patriots don’t have the biggest need for a corner after Christian Gonzalez looked the part of a No. 1 corner in his short rookie season. But Jonathan Jones turns 31 next season and only has one season left on his contract, so it wouldn’t hurt the Patriots if they got ahead of the situation.
49ers S Tashaun Gipson
Gipson’s had a career resurgence since he joined the 49ers at the start of the 2022 season. After being a cutdown day casualty that year, he eventually made the active roster early in the regular season and didn’t look back. He recorded 61 total tackles, five interceptions, and eight passes defended that year, earning him a one-year contract as he turned 33 before the start of the season.
Gipson’s numbers took a dip in the regular season, but he was still a positive in the 49ers’ secondary. He recorded just one interception with 60 tackles while opposing quarterbacks completed just 11 receptions on 25 targets for 101 yards with no touchdowns allowed, per PFF. He also arguably made the biggest play of the 49ers’ season, forcing a fumble on a Jahmyr Gibbs carry in the third quarter of the NFC Championship Game that allowed them to tie the game up shortly after.
If the Patriots signed Gipson, he likely wouldn’t be a part of their next great team considering his age. But he presents a solid stopgap option at free safety if the team loses Kyle Dugger in free agency this offseason as he split the primary reps with Jabrill Peppers at the position this past season.
Chiefs DE Michael Danna
Jones isn’t the only standout along the Chiefs’ defensive line who is set to get a payday this spring.
Danna has continued his ascension for Kansas City this season, recording a career-high 6.5 sacks as he’s also become more of a three-down player. In addition to his 6.5 sacks, the fourth-year defensive end had 50 total tackles (seven for loss) as he recorded 41 pressures and 31 run stops, per Pro Football Focus.
The Patriots might have to replace Josh Uche this offseason as the fourth-edge rusher is entering free agency. Danna would give the Patriots a solid choice to add along the edge defensively, especially considering that he’s been more of a reliable run-stopper than Uche’s been in his career.
49ers DE Chase Young
On the Niners’ side, Young is also an intriguing option along the edge in free agency this offseason.
Young hasn’t lived up to the promise of winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 over the last few seasons, struggling in 2021 before tearing his ACL late that year. He’s been OK in his first full year back, recording five sacks in seven games with the Commanders before getting traded to the 49ers, where he’s only recorded two sacks in 11 regular-season and postseason games combined.
Still, Young’s stats over a full season don’t look too bad. He had 7.5 sacks and 25 combined tackles (seven for loss) with 66 pressure and 20 run stops over 16 regular-season games, per PFF.
Young could also be a viable candidate to replace Uche if the edge rusher leaves the Patriots in free agency, potentially being a buy-low option as he only turns 25 in April.
Chiefs LB Drue Tranquill
As you can see, there are many standouts on the Chiefs’ defense who are in line to cash in for a nice payday this offseason.
Tranquill is one of those handful of players. The veteran linebacker has had a strong first season with the Chiefs after spending the first four years of his career with the Chargers, recording 78 combined tackles (seven for loss), 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles to go with 18 pressures and 35 run stops in the regular season, per PFF.
Tranquill’s biggest performance came in the AFC Championship Game though, serving as the spy linebacker on avens quarterback Lamar Jackson. He led the way in helping the Chiefs’ defense slow down the Ravens’ offense to the tune of 10 points, recording a team-high eight tackles (all solo) as Jackson had a tough time moving the ball all afternoon.
The Patriots don’t have a pressing need for an off-ball linebacker with Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai under contract for 2024. But signing Tranquill could allow them to get creative with their linebackers.
49ers DT Javon Kinlaw
In a similar vein as Young, Kinlaw has failed to live up to the hype of being a first-round pick in 2020 for much of his career. But he showed some upside this year.
Kinlaw recorded 25 combined tackles (four for loss) and 3.5 sacks to go with 31 pressures and 15 run stops in the regular season, per PFF. He mostly served as an interior rusher on pass downs.
Kinlaw could be another buy-low option for the Patriots to help round out their defensive front. He’s only 26 and could serve as a useful rotation player along the likes of Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, and Deatrich Wise Jr.
Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon
There aren’t many offensive standouts in Super Bowl LVIII who will be free agents this offseason, which isn’t ideal for the Patriots as arguably their three biggest needs are on that side of the ball.
But McKinnon could be a sneaky option to carve out a role on their roster. The veteran running back was one of the best pass catchers at his position in 2022, recording 56 receptions for 512 yards and nine touchdowns in the regular season. He’s been hampered by injuries in 2023, missing eight of the Chiefs’ last 10 games due to a groin injury as he only had 25 receptions for 192 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season. He was activated off injured reserve on Saturday, allowing him to play on Sunday.
The Patriots will have to address their running back depth one way or another in free agency this offseason with Ezekiel Elliott’s contract expiring. McKinnon would be their first true third-down running back since James White went down with an injury early in the 2021 season.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com