jones and mego: return of the mac?
The Patriots have 24 pending free agents heading into this offseason, a group we ranked last week here on WEEI.com (read here).
On Tuesday, ESPN's Matt Bowen ranked the NFL's top 50 free agents heading into the 2024 offseason, with four Patriots in safety Kyle Dugger, offensive lineman Mike Onwenu, offensive tackle Trent Brown, and linebacker Josh Uche making the list. Here's what Bowen wrote on each:
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25. S Kyle Dugger
"Dugger has rare position versatility at 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds, with the impact traits to play from depth or roam underneath as a hybrid defender. That makes him a fit for a multiple defensive system that uses dime personnel. Dugger has 343 tackles, 9 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks in his four pro seasons."
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26. OL Mike Onwenu
"At 6-foot-3 and 350 pounds, Onwenu has the ability to play guard or tackle. But I see him as a better fit inside at guard, where he can use his size and power to move defenders in gap schemes and anchor in pass pro. Onwenu posted a pass block win rate of 88.7% at guard this season."
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41. OT Trent Brown
"At 6-foot-8 and 370 pounds, Brown can use his massive frame to absorb power rushers and close the door on the edge despite his limited foot quickness. He has more natural strength than raw power, and he can lean on defenders and move them off the ball. Brown is better in space than you think, too. Still, he is turning 31, and his 2023 pass block win rate of 82.7% ranked 60th of the 69 qualifying offensive tackles."
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47. LB Josh Uche
"After a breakout 2022 that included 11.5 sacks, Uche had three this season. Watching the tape, however, you can see the sudden burst off the line and the ability to rip and bend against offensive tackles. And with his ability to close on the QB, Uche can be schemed on stunts to loop inside as a sub-rusher."
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Heading into free agency, the Patriots have roughly $66 million in salary cap space according to Over the Cap, the fourth most in the NFL. When asked about their offseason plans on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show last week, head coach Jerod Mayo said that they're "bringing in talent, 1,000 percent. He continued: "We have a lot of cap space and cash. We're ready to burn some cash!"
The NFL's League Year begins on Wednesday, March 13 at 4:00 p.m., with "legal tampering" opening on Monday, March 11 at 12:00 noon.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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