Value. The Britannica Dictionary definition of the word value is, “Something that can be bought for a low or fair price.”
Sound frustratingly familiar Patriots Nation?
To loosely paraphrase or attempt to interpret how Bill Belichick may value the word value, you may hear him say something like this… “Odell Beckham, Jr. is a three-time Pro Bowler, former Rookie of the Year and has now torn two ACL’s? He could be a real value.”
Yes in the world according to Bill Belichick having zero ACL’s is > than having one and having one ACL is > than having two. It is what is. Just ask Dominique Easley who went into the 2014 NFL Draft with zero functional ACL’s (both previously torn) and the greatest coach of them all rewarded him with the honor of being a first-round draft pick.
Public Service Announcement – “Those with two functional ACL’s need not apply.” I have always found the pattern of Belichick devaluing ACL function in his player evaluation to be quite odd to be candid. Particularly while the organization he leads historically always values players’ performances in the three-cone drill so highly. The three-cone drill is a great indicator for agility, quickness and fluidity of movement. ACL’s are good for all those skills. Oh the irony.
So as this week’s legal tampering period is behind us and we enter the first true full day of NFL free agency, many of the most sought after player brands are sadly already off the shelf. No surprise there. The free agent cupboards are not yet bare however and for the Patriots, the old value bin will need a long and patient browse to both reinforce and improve this roster over last year. The AFC has vastly improved just over the last couple of weeks. It will be intensely competitive and to date, the Patriots appear to be on the outside looking in.
There are holes to fill all over the field. Speed at wide receiver, cornerback and linebacker are desperately needed. Now suddenly, offensive line has become a primary area of need as well given this week’s free agent loss of Ted Karras and its trade of Shaq Mason. Left tackle Trent Brown remains unsigned as well. For those not into mathematics, that’s 60 percent of your starting offensive line from 2021 now gone; a position of strength last year.
Given Belichick’s penchant for value shopping coupled with an untimely lack of cap space flexibility, the Patriots will seemingly load up at the back of the store racks. Last year’s uncharacteristic but necessary free agent shopping spree refilled a wildly incomplete roster from the year prior and that was needed to compete. The hangover however from those investments has been costly in terms of their current lack of financial freedom in what has been an active free agent market thus far.
So what now? It’s off to the bargain outlet. Below is a list the value type suitors at the wide receiver position to start. None will be in the premium aisle of the free agent supermarket but as defined at the top, can presumably be had at a low or fair price and make a positive impact this season.
Jarvis Landry
I’ve always liked Landry and he gives the Patriots what they really need which is an exceptional presence in the slot. Slot receivers typically cost less than your field stretching speed demons but the value (there’s that word again) of the slot in the Patriots offense is well documented. Landry has had some injuries but no tears. At 29 years old and playing in the slot, Landry represents the best type of value when value shopping.
Julio Jones
He’s one of the best to ever play the position but Julio is getting old. Also he hasn’t looked himself in the last year or two but that’s why he’s in the value bin. This is one where if the cost is minimal, I’m in. If you’re paying for 2019 production, I’m out. Worth a look though and tempting.
JuJu Smith Shuster
This is an interesting case. No ACL or serious knee injuries but JuJu has had his share of head injuries over his career. Still only 25 years old, JuJu finds himself in a ‘prove it’ type of year at a critical point in his career. He’s made an impact in his five year career but had also fallen out of favor in Pittsburgh. Important to note however is that the Steelers are great at finding wide receiver talent. So in terms of value? Yeah, JuJu fits the bill.
Will Fuller
The ultimate buyer beware. You get everything you are looking for in terms of that long missing deep threat. Fuller’s talent and speed teases like no other. He dazzles when he’s on the field but in the battle between football field and hot tub, the tub has won in a unanimous decision so far in his still young career. Hence the bargain rack label. Worth a shot? Yes sir but only at the most modest cost. The Pats don’t need names, they need playmakers. Fuller is both but the risk is high.
Cordarelle Patterson
He’s not an ideal fit, given the Patriots talent and depth at the running back position but Patterson has a few things going for him. One is versatility. Patterson will line up as a wide receiver and as a running back. He’s really neither but can excel situationally at both. A demon on special teams he hits all the Belichick marks too. He’s also part of the Patriots family as he was a key contributor in 2018. At 31 years old, he could be another value investment. One issue here is that he’s coming off of a phenomenal year so he screams of being a sell high asset. That said, if the chips don’t fall the right way over the next month or so and offensive talent is still needed, Patterson could be a break-glass-as-needed solution for the Pats.
Jamison Crowder
If you can’t land Landry then this is the slot receiver I want. Crowder’s got game and he’s tough. Pats fans would love him. Again though, he’s in the Belichick bin for a reason, injuries. He’s clutch but often hurt. This is a player you’d really like to have in New England but the injury history and future risk is real.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Deep speed for sure but I wouldn’t overpay. He screams of Nelson Agholor 2.0 here but the plays can be big. Like 80 yards and a touchdown big.
NFL Draft target – George Pickens, WR GA
He’s a National Champion. He’s a Georgia Bulldog and Belichick likes those and he’s torn his ACL.
We’ve come full circle.