With multiple weeks to go before the earliest possible on-field practice and seven spots on New England’s 90-man roster currently vacant, the Patriots still could add a small collection of undrafted rookies. They also could fill out their roster by bringing on a few more veteran free agents.
A number of notable players have yet to find new homes since the NFL league year opened in mid-March. And with free agent signings no longer counting toward teams’ compensatory pick formulas as of Monday afternoon, many of them are likely to sign in the coming days and weeks.
Which ones might pique New England’s interest? The Patriots don’t have any glaring roster needs, but they could benefit from adding another proven talent at cornerback and/or wide receiver.
For the former, re-signing Jason McCourty remains a possibility. He’s one of the few 2020 Patriots free agents who have yet to land a new deal, and the Pats don’t have an obvious replacement for him at the No. 3 outside corner spot behind Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson. McCourty’s twin brother, Devin, has one year left on his Patriots contract.
External options include Richard Sherman, Bashaud Breeland, Steven Nelson, Casey Hayward, Josh Norman, Darqueze Dennard and Gareon Conley.
As for available wideouts, that list features 2020 Patriot Damiere Byrd, Golden Tate, Larry Fitzgerald, Kenny Stills, Alshon Jeffery, Dede Westbrook and Danny Amendola (though we doubt Amendola would be welcome after his Super Bowl week comments).
Unsigned free agents at other positions include:
Offensive tackle: Alejandro Villanueva, Charles Leno, Russell Okung, Rick Wagner, Mitchell Schwartz, Eric Fisher, Dennis Kelly, Bobby Massie, Cameron Fleming, Jermaine Eluemunor
