Free agency has been underway for over a week and the majority of the top names are off the board, but there are still quite a few of intriguing players available.
Specific to the Patriots, they still have a number of needs, but not a great deal of money to spend. Top positions of need include tight end, linebacker, defensive line and kicker.
Here 10 free agents still available to keep an eye on from a Patriots perspective.
TE Luke Stocker- Stocker, a nine-year veteran, could be a nice, low-cost veteran to add. The 31-year-old played in 15 games with Atlanta last year and finished with eight catches for 53 yards. While those certainly aren’t impressive, he’s known for his blocking and the Patriots do utilize strictly blocking tight ends.
TE Charles Clay- Bill Belichick saw plenty of Clay as he spent eight of his nine years in the league in the AFC East between the Dolphins and Bills. He went to Arizona last season and recorded 18 receptions for 237 yards and a touchdown. From 2013-17, he had at least 500 yards receiving and could be a nice veteran presence in the tight ends room.
TE Delanie Walker- The 35-year-old was released by the Titans after playing in just eight games the last two seasons. But, he has made the Pro Bowl three times over the course of his career. If he can prove he’s healthy, he could be an option for New England to pair up with another tight end acquired via the draft.
K Nick Folk- It’s likely the Patriots will add a kicker in the draft to potentially replace Stephen Gostkowski, but it would be irresponsible to go into training camp without a veteran as a backup. Folk spent much of last year with New England and showed he was capable of doing a decent job.
DL Derek Wolfe- If healthy, the 30-year-old seems like the perfect fit for the Patriots defense. He has spent all eight of his NFL seasons with the Broncos and is coming off a year where he recorded a career-high seven sacks.
DE Benson Mayowa- Certainly, there are bigger name edge rushers available, but given the Patriots’ cap space situation, Mayowa seems like a decent alternative. The 28-year-old finished with seven sacks in 15 games last season with the Raiders.
LB Kamalei Correa- Belichick got a good look at him last year when the Patriots and Titans had joint practices, and it wouldn’t be the first time the team targeted a player it saw at a joint practice. The 25-year-old is known for his ability to drop back into coverage, which is something the Patriots have struggled with in recent years at the linebacker position.
LB Wesley Woodyard- Just like Correa, Woodyard last played with the Titans and despite being in his 30s, he’s still staying on the field and putting up decent numbers. Last year was a bit of a slip, only recording 42 tackles, but he tallied over 100 the two years before that.
G Ted Larsen- New England is familiar with him having drafted him in 2010. He was released that summer, and has since bounced around the league playing for a number of teams, most recently the Bears. If Joe Thuney were to be traded, Larsen could be a decent option to consider.
WR Paul Richardson- Richardson feels like a receiver similar to a number of others the team has brought in during recent offseasons to compete for a roster spot come the summer. He wouldn’t cost much, and is coming off a season in Washington where he caught 28 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games. The 27-year-old had his best season in 2017 with the Seahawks when he recorded 44 receptions for 703 yards and six touchdowns.
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