New England Patriots Rumors: Top Free Agent Targets After NFL Trade Deadline

New England Patriots Rumors: Top Free Agent Targets After NFL Trade Deadline

[Music] Now that the NFL trade deadline has completely passed, I kind of thought after going through all the live shows on Wednesday and Tuesday, a lot of people were asking, Brett, what were some possible still free agents that the Patriots could sign? And I kept thinking, I was like, “All right, it’s time to make a video.” So, on today’s Patriots Today by Chat Sports, we’re going to be talking about the top free agent targets that are still available if the Patriots wanted to make a move. But before we go and do that, guys, let’s go hit 36K. Every single week, we have hit a milestone. Last week, we hit 35,000. The week before we hit 34,000. Let’s do it before Sunday’s watch party. Can we hit 36,000 subs? We are 185 away. So if you love the Pats, if you want content every single day, where it’s news, rumors, breaking news, watch parties on Sunday, go and hit that sub button right now. Just a recap of the trade deadline, what happened on Tuesday. Patriots made no moves. And I kind of said it at the beginning, it was a no-brainer. It was kind of not shocking at all. The Patriots never go and make moves at the trade deadline. They were quiet. And then of course Mike Frabel was asked on Wednesday on, “Hey, were you close to moves? Why didn’t you make any?” And he said the kind of just hilarious analogy, “Deals are like being pregnant. You either are or you aren’t.” I know that everybody worked hard. We made phone calls. And in the end, we decided that this is what we are going to do. That’s a bunch of, hey, maybe we were, maybe we weren’t. I do have a tweet for you guys which makes me think that the Patriots were trying to call for somebody, but they did make a signing on Tuesday and everybody kept asking me about it. Brennan Rice, Jerry Rice’s son, the Patriots signed him 6’3, 210 lbs out of USC. He played with Caleb Williams back when he was at USC. Signed with the Patriots practice squad and but honestly guys, I said it to you multiple times. I don’t expect him to be elevated. I think that on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that it’s going to be Matt Collins and Kyle Williams as your main guys. Eftton Chisum will be there because he they like to play him on special teams. This is not nothing out of the ordinary for the Patriots. They usually call up somebody when and Raandre Stevenson got hurt. They called in a bunch of practice squad running backs. They need a player to to practice be on scout team as your ex receiver with Kahan Booty out. And he has not practiced on Wednesday. He did not practice on Thursday. So, I’m kind of expecting that he is going to be out and you needed a practice guy. And Brennan Rice as he worked out with the Patriots back when he was about to get drafted. I think that that’s what the reason was. If Kahan Booty once he gets healthy, don’t be surprised if he ends up getting cut. Now, back to the trade stuff. And we saw this report from Diana Rini talking about AFC teams reaching out to the Jets. And you know, the Jets made a complete fire sale. They were trying to trade Garrett Wilson and trying to trade uh Bree Hall, but that did not happen. AFC teams reached out to the Jets about potential deals, but New York was reluctant to trade with division rivals. And when it comes to Bree Hall, well, I don’t think the Dolphins were going to trade for a team because they already have Devin Han. And with the Bills, they have James Cook. So, that leaves the New England Patriots, obviously, they were trying to get a running back. We saw the Ricky Scoops kind of tweets talking out. We saw Mike Reese’s report that they were trying to get a running back in general. But overall, I just think what does that tell me? Well, the Patriots were trying to get a running back because they know that improvements need to be made. I’m not saying that I agree with them because I like Tayvon Henderson. I’m just saying go out and tra go out and play the man, which I think that they’re going to this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but I know deep down that they were looking at Bree Hall for a potential running back. Here’s my full biggest needs. if you guys haven’t seen them already. My biggest one was an edge rusher. Talked about it multiple times. I wanted someone on the depth. The running back, maybe a safety because right now your backup is Dell Pettis at John Saunders Jr. And the question mark is wide receiver. Do you need one? You could always use an extra uh weapon on offense. But let’s get into the top free agents that I think are a possibility for the New England Patriots if they were looking to sign somebody. And a lot of people were asking me about this player. And Justin Simmons is probably the number one safety that is available right now for the Patriots if they wanted to add some depth. I mean, 30 years old, he’s getting up there in age and he last played with the Atlanta Falcons. He hasn’t played yet this season. 6’2, 202 lbs. Like, the tangible is still there. He’s a solid player, but I’m going to say this about every single person except for one player in general that, well, they’re a free agent for a reason. And if you look at his statistics throughout the last couple of seasons, because he played all 16 games in 2024 and the last couple years, he has seven PBUS, two interceptions, 62 tackles, two tackles for loss. He’s pretty solid. I mean, eight PBUs, seven PBUs, 12 throughout the last couple of years. I still think he could have something left on the tank in the tank. 62 tackles. He’s gotten at least 65 and or 60 in each of his last four seasons. And the Patriots with their safety depth chart. I love Craig Woodson and Jaylen Hawkins. I still can’t get over that one-handed interception that Jaylen Hawkins had against the Browns, which is unbelievable. And Craig Woodson has just been absolutely insane. My producer is laughing right now. Yeah, the host of the Browns report. But Brennan Schooler and Dell Pettis are not going to be your backups. John Saunders is an undrafted free agent. Maybe you could bring someone in to kind of be a leader of this team. Craig Woodson and Jaylen Hawkins are both extremely young guys. it would be a depth piece. And with Saunders, he was signed off the practice squad, so he is a part of that 53man roster. And if you don’t like him in practice, well, you can easily always cut him and bring in Justin Simmons. Patriots are known for signing guys late in the season, and we’re going to talk about one guy in general back in the day where I think that would be a specific signing, but we’ll get to that in a second. And the second one that I think, and this is where it comes in, a running back, if you really want to get deep down and dirty into it, Jamal Williams is probably your top running back free for agent. There’s also Gus Edwards. But I like Jamal. I loved him when he was with the Detroit Lions and he beat the Green Bay Packers. He was awesome. He has a character, but it seems like the last couple of years he’s gone downhill. And for a running back, in running back years, this man’s like a hundred. He hasn’t played this season. You could see 32 years old. He’s got the juice. 224 lbs, 6 foot. He would bring that kind of thunder that the Patriots were looking for while Raandre Stevenson has been out. You know, we have the lightning with Trayvon Henderson. I like Terrell Jennings a lot. But you need that thunder with Raandre out. And Jamal Williams would be that guy. You can see last year while he was with the Saints, he kind of did absolutely nothing. Played in 14 games, but only 164 yards. two, three, it’s been three years removed now since he has a thousandy yard season and 17 touchdowns. It has been so long since then. 2022 was a long time ago and in my opinion, he’s kind of washed. He he tried to keep his career going with the New Orleans Saints last year and Alvin Kamar is always hurt, but it just he was not productive in any way, shape or form. And if the Patriots signed him, when I was doing this video, scripting it all out, I got one thought in my mind. And if you guys remember, 10 years ago, going into the going into the playoffs, I think it was December, the Patriots signed Stephen Jackson to the active roster, and he played in one of those games. He played in 2015 against the Dolphins. He played in that ASC championship game. But we all know that Stephen Jackson was absolutely washed at that time and the Patriots signed him just because they needed a running back. I’m fine with my guy Terrell Jennings. I’m cool with that. He could play special teams. He can run the ball. He scored his first touchdown. He’s elusiveness. He’s got a little bit of strength to him. And I like him being that third running back. I’m not f I’m I’m fine with not going out and signing a washed up running back like Jamal Williams. I loved you. I loved the guy when he was in Detroit, but uh like I said, 2022 was three years ago. Been a long, long time since then. I’ll ask you guys, what would you rather sign? I’m a Terrell Jennings guy. I’m going with safety. But you let me know down in the comments section. Are you going running back or are you going safety? Type RB for running back or type S for safety. We’re going to get to my two my other two free agents that the Patriots could sign. But first, we got to tell you about our sponsor and that is Prize Picks. The hard-hitting football action is even better with prize picks. The weather might be changing, but the feeling of being right never gets old. So, keep the season rolling on prize picks by getting $50 instantly in lineups when you play your first $5. Prize picks is simple to play. Just pick more or less on two to six player stat projections. And if your picks are right, you could cash in. Prize picks have been in the flex play, which means you could still cash out if your lineup isn’t perfect. You could double your money even if your picks don’t hit. my lineup. It was a flex play and I was a little nervous about RJ Barrett scoring more than 19 and a half points, but he did. So, we’re on to Sunday, ladies and gentlemen. 236 12 passing yards. Give me the more for Drake May and Stefan Diggs with Quan Booty most likely out. I’m taking the more with 54 and a half receiving yards. You can make a lineup just like that one when you download the app today and use code CLS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. That’s code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. Prize picks. It’s good to be right. All right. I said the Patriots needed an edge rusher. And I was looking and I couldn’t really find anybody. Yanukin Gway is available, but Cha Barrett is the number one guy on the free agent list if you wanted an edge. Last year he played for the Dolphins. He didn’t do too much. He has yet to play this season. 6’2, 250 pounds. I still think he’s a little bit athletic. It’s been a long time since he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And we saw last year he was dealing with injuries. He only played one single game and he had one tackle, no sacks. In 2023, that’s when he played 16, four and a half. But the year before that, eight games. 2021, 15 games. I think he’s a little injuryprone right now. I do. It’s just he only played one game, but it has been a while since he’s played. I think he is fully healthy right now. And it’s only two years from two and four and a half sacks, but I don’t know. I I would bet he had something left in the tank, but it wouldn’t be much. I think he could give you a good two, maybe three games. Once the postseason starts, I don’t think he’s going to be ready for that. I think his body, he’s just so old at this point where his time has come and passed in the NFL. And for me, there’s a guy in the practice squad that I am looking at that I think just needs to be elevated and given a chance already. Braden Swinson. He was the number one guy at LSU last year, and the Patriots cut him at the beginning of the season. And uh uh he made he didn’t make the 53man roster, but he’s their fifth round draft pick. You got to give him a chance at least. And a lot of the coaches, they really like Braden Swinson. I think at some point they’ll give him an elevation, give him a chance to just show what he can do on an NFL field, but we’ll see going in for the back half of the of the season. And the last one, it’s kind of a tossup. You tell me if you want him. Odell Beckham Jr., I’ve wanted him since he was a New York Giant back in 2016. I wanted him to play with Tom Brady and it never happened. But Odell Beckham Jr., he has also been extremely extremely injuryprone. He did have some good numbers last year with the Miami Dolphins or two years ago like 35 catches, 565 yards, 16.1 average, three touchdowns. I think that’s when he was on the Ravens. But last year, nine games played, nine catches, 55 yards. It wasn’t it wasn’t anything in general. He was also He’s just kind of washed. And we got to also remember he suspended. He was trying to make his comeback. He was trying to make it. And then he tested positive for PEDs. And he didn’t even like deny it. He was just like, “Yeah, okay. I’ll take the suspension. I’m out until week 12. But I like what the Patriots are at right now. The only condition where I would even consider it because if Kahan Boot is not back by week 12, then the hamstring is obviously something serious. We’re going into week 10 of the NFL season. He said on his Discord that he’s going to be okay, but who knows? It’s a hamstring. Those are always finicky, but it all depends on what the injury status is. And here’s the full quote from Kahan Booty himself on his Discord updating you guys on his injury. Have you ever seen that before? Nope. But hopefully we get another one soon. Just got the MRI results back. It’s only a grade one sprain, so that’s a good thing. Shouldn’t be down too long, but we’re working to get back. He might play in Tampa. I doubt it. He hasn’t practiced the last two weeks, but he can get back for the Jets next week on Thursday Night Football. In my opinion, honestly, I’m not signing any of the free agents. I like where the team’s at. I saw the trade deadline. You go out and get a person on the trade block. They didn’t do that. They like the team. I’m not going out and signing a free agent. You’re at a full 53man roster. You’d have to cut somebody. I like the way the Patriots are. They’re seven and two, baby. Why go out and sign a washed up player when you can grab your guys in and bring them in right now from either the bench or the practice squad. Keep the way things are. But if you don’t agree with me, go down the comments section right now. Name a free agent you would sign. I gave you four of them who I think just please don’t go down and give me Jamal Williams. That gives me way way too much Stephen Jackson vibes and that did not work in New England. It did not. Don’t forget to hit that sub button. We will be live at noon Eastern on Sunday for Patriots versus the Buccaneers. You don’t want to miss out. So, hit that sub button. And as always, let’s go Pats. [Music]

Topics Discussed on the latest episode of Patriots Today by Chat Sports:
– Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS and use code CLNS and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!
– The NFL Trade Deadline has come and gone with the Patriots not making any moves and the Patriots keeping their roster as is
– The Patriots are rumored to make calls for some trades, but nothing was accepted ahead of the deadline. The Patriots could still improve their roster ahead of the 2025 NFL Playoffs
– NE Patriots Today host Brett Alper looks at 4 potential NFL Free Agents that could bolster the Patriots roster as we get deeper into the 2025 NFL Season on this latest New England Patriots YouTube video

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Cam Newton on Drake Maye
“Steven Anthony, you keep letting people come on this show and to have diarrhea at the mouth, by just saying certain things that aren’t true. You’re a liar, you’re a liar and I’m a fan of Drake Maye…..in order to be the best you have to beat the best. You have to stand on business”

Mike Vrabel on Patriots:
“41 guys lifted [Tuesday] on a day off, came into the building, lifted, which I thought is a really positive thing at this time of the year. And we’ll talk to them about the season’s really just getting started right now.”

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Patriots offensive coaches:
Offensive Coordinator: Josh McDaniels
Quarterbacks Coach: Ashton Grant
Running Backs Coach: Tony Dews
Wide Receivers Coach: Todd Downing
Tight Ends Coach: Thomas Brown
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Offensive Assistant: Riley Larkin
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Patriots Today has all the New England Patriots YouTube videos you could ever need:
– New England Patriots NFL Trade Deadline Winners & Losers Ft. Eliot Wolf & Terrell Jennings – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2g75OjDfu8
– New England Patriots Make NO MOVES At NFL Trade Deadline, While Other AFC Teams Improve – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4rVieCwkxY
– NEW Patriots Trade Deadline Rumors & Intel – TRADE For Arden Key Or Breece Hall? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWocPzq84FE

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