The New England Patriots opened June minicamp today, a roster full of returning veterans, rising stars, recently signed free agents and rookies taking to the practice field outside Gillette Stadium to begin preparations for the 2022 season. And even though the Pats have what seems like a full squad (90 players allowed until cutdowns come August), roster building is a fluid situation that coach/GM Bill Belichick allows keeps an eye on. Belichick loves building depth, creating competition and fielding the best 53 man squad he can come game day. And though he is loathe to talk about any players that are not on the team that’s where we’ll come in.
Should the Patriots and coach Belichick be looking to shore up a few spots where depth seems a concern, or see if there’s a way to add talent without breaking the bank, or perhaps injuries occur (it is football, after all), there are still some players available that could add at least add some flare to camp if not compete for a spot on the 2022 squad. Reader beware - there are no deep threats, “weaponz” or sexy splashes here. Mostly trench players who can help support or win at the point of attack, where depth seems to be at a deficit for New England. Also, for our intents and purposes, we are looking outside the ranks of organizational free agents, ie - Dont’a Hightower, Jamie, Collins.
Larry Ogunjobi, DT - Price tag, a familiar issue for any player during the Belichick tenure and especially this offseason, could be the only concern as to why the Patriots wouldn’t pursue this under-the-radar defensive line talent in his prime. Following an excellent season with the Cincinnati Bengals Ogunjobi was set to join the Chicago Bears on a three year $40.5 million deal. Alas a failed physical stemming from an injury sustained in the Wild Card round vs. the Raiders derailed his payday. The five year veteran had seven sacks for the Bengals last season to go along with 29 tackles and multiple pressures. He’s started 62 out of 65 regular season games the last four seasons as well. He’s visited the Jets recently too, but no deal in place. If Belichick is looking to add some power and playmaking ability to a defensive line with question marks aplenty, Ogunjobi would represent a quality addition. Even with the Pats cash-strapped right now, they can find the money if they want. Look no further than what the Rams just did with Aaron Donald.
Eric Fisher, OT - Offensive tackle seems to be a position where both depth and maybe, just maybe, a starting spot could be up for grabs. Trent Brown is locked in on a two year deal, though whether he starts at right or left tackle remains to be seen. Incumbent left tackle Isaiah Wynn, who chose to skip OTAs, is playing on his fifth year option deal. Both he and Brown have been injury prone in recent year, and the backup depth (Justin Herron, Yodney Cajuste) isn’t exactly Pro Bowl caliber. Fisher, a former first overall pick who ascended to Pro Bowl player twice, was released by the Chiefs after an Achilles injury kept him out of Super Bowl 55. He played on a one year deal for the Colts last season, and was a mid-level caliber tackle. The Colts have gone in another direction at tackle, leaving Fisher looking for work. If the Pats have any questions about Wynn and Brown, or their reserve tackles (including rookie Andrew Steuber), or decide to move on from Wynn, perhaps Fisher could be on speed dial for the sake of depth, competition or maybe a transitional starting role.
Trey Flowers, DE - We’ve written previously as to why a Flowers return to Foxborough would make all the sense in the world. Perhaps no other player unsigned currently has more familiarity with how they do things on the Patriots, having spent four seasons in New England, then three in Detroit having been recruited by Matt Patricia. At age 29 he likely still has gas in the tank and could both contribute on the defensive line immediately opposite OLB/EDGE Matthew Judon, as well as mentor young defenders Josh Uche and Ronnie Perkins as to how it gets done best on a Belichick defensive front.
Riley Reiff, OT - Another veteran offensive tackle recovering from injuries and looking for work, Reiff was actually having a solid 2021 campaign for the much maligned Cincinnati Bengals offensive line before a December ankle injury ended his season. Reiff has been a largely dependable lineman for his 10 year career in Detroit, Minnesota and Cincinnati. He can play both tackle spots, and there’s been speculation he could be moved to guard as well...something Reiff did not balk at when mentioned back in 2020. Tackle and guard flexibility on a line in transition makes the veteran out of Iowa a potentially appealing add.
Ndamulong Suh, DL - Admittedly this is the biggest flyer of the free agent lot. Suh, who’s played the last two seasons in Tampa Bay alongside you-know-who, is 35 years old. That’s just reality, but so is Suh being a gifted athlete, with an edge, who seems to be turning back the hands of time (maybe the TB12 Method rubbed off on him). The soon to be 13 year veteran isn’t the force of nature he once was, but he had an excellent 2021 season, peaking in the payoffs against Philadelphia and Los Angeles. He had 12 sacks over the last two seasons, is just plain enormous and needs be accounted for on every snap. A return to Tampa seems unlikely now that the Bucs signed Akiem Hicks, a former Patriot and fave of Belichick, to a one year deal. Perhaps Suh chases a final paycheck elsewhere, as there are rumors of interest from the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints. But just in case he wonders what it would be like to play for a defensive mind like Belichick, we can’t help but wonder what it would look like if he donned a Pat the Patriot throwback on a defensive line that could use his size, power, attitude and experience. Fans would welcome it, too, if the buzz surrounding his visit to Fenway Park this spring is any indication.
