New England Patriots: 3 Bargains to target in 2019 NFL free agency
The defending Super Bowl champions have already been busy adding numerous free agents. Will the bargain shopping continue for the New England Patriots?
The New England Patriots are a franchise that hasn’t had a losing season since 2000. It’s a club that has reached the NFL playoffs a league-record 10 consecutive years dating back to 2009. It’s an organization that has won six Super Bowl since 2001 and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy three of the past five seasons.
And yet, there are those critics of the Patriots who scratch their heads on almost-annual basis as to why the team sits back the first few days of free agency and doesn’t make significant moves.
Why question the formula of a team that has won at least 10 games dating back to 2003? A year ago, the club watched tackles Nate Solder and Cameron Fleming, wide receiver Danny Amendola, running back Dion Lewis and cornerback Malcolm Butler all leave via free agency.
That was supposed to be a big issue for Bill Belichick’s squad. Instead, the Pats rallied around the players that stayed with the team, made a few solid additions via the trade route and free agency and the club finished 2018-19 with a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
It’s not like the Patriots have been quiet. The franchise did trade for defensive end Michael Bennett (Philadelphia Eagles) and running back Brandon Bolden is back with the team after a year with the Miami Dolphins. There’s also safety Terrence Brooks and defensive end Mike Pennel — both from the New York Jets — and tight end Matt LaCosse (Denver Broncos), among others.
But are there other bargains to be had?