Pieces falling in place for Patriots as franchise tag deadline approaches

As the Patriots prepare for an offseason likely to feature a jumpstart rebuild, they’re getting the news they needed from the other 31 teams in the league. With a decreased salary cap, teams are spending less money to keep their own players, leaving the Pats with more options, particularly at positions of need.

Specifically, teams have been less inclined to use the always costly franchise tag, which locks players into fully guaranteed one-year contracts. The franchise tag is usually a tool to keep elite off the market, meaning this free agency class will be above average in terms of top end talent.

With the franchise tag deadline set for Tuesday at 4:00 p.m., reports came out throughout the day on which players would and wouldn’t be receiving the tag. Of the seven tags given so far, only two took a potential Patriots target off the board, while a number of other players viewed as fits were confirmed as not receiving the tag.

Chris Godwin was seen as a stretch for New England even if he did hit the open market, which won’t be happening. As first reported by Adam Schefter, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers informed the receiver he’d be receiving the tag on Tuesday afternoon. Allen Robinson, who was projected to be the highest-paid receiver available, is also getting tagged and staying in Chicago, according to Schefter.

Even without Godwin, there will be no shortage of top tier pass catching talent available to the Patriots. According to reports, tight end Hunter Henry and wide receiver Kenny Golladay won’t be tagged by their respective teams, and are expected to become unrestricted free agents.

Henry is set to become a free agent for the first time in his career, after being tagged by the Chargers last season. The 26-year-old caught 60 passes for 613 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games for LA last year. A true do-it-all tight end who would be the ideal fix to the Patriots’ recent woes at the position, he’s expected to get $11-$13 million per year.

Golladay is also entering free agency for the first time, coming off of his rookie contract. Injuries limited him to just five games last year, but in 16 games in 2019 he recorded 65 catches for 1,190 yards and a league-leading 11 touchdowns. At 6-foot-4, 214 pounds, Golladay could be the big body down field threat the Patriots had hoped to add when they drafted N’Keal Harry in 2019. The 27-year-old won’t come cheap, he project to earn $15-$18 million a year on his next contract.

There’s some serious talent that’s now confirmed to be available on the defensive side of the ball as well. According to Schefter, the Steelers won’t be franchising linebacker Bud Dupree, after doing so last season.

If the Patriots want to get aggressive in finding a linebacker to play next to – and possibly eventually replace – Dont’a Hightower, it would be hard to do better than Dupree. The 28-year-old is effective against the run and the pass. Dupree had a breakout season in 2019 with 11.5 sacks, 16 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles and three pass breakups. He had eight sacks in 11 games in 2020 before a torn ACL ended his season after 11 games. Given the injury, this could be a chance for the Patriots to buy low on an extremely talented player. Even at a discount, he’ likely get $14-$17 million per year on his new deal.

The Patriots made some franchise tag news themselves on Tuesday as well, with Schefter reporting the team is unlikely to use the tag on guard Joe Thuney, their most likely candidate. Thuney was tagged last season.

MORE: Pass catching targets for the Patriots in free agency

TE Hunter Henry Share Henry made recent comments that he wants to play for a great quarterback. Teams with their franchise QB locked in don't necessarily line up with Henry's price tag, though. Bill Belichick loves him some Hunter Henry and will likely make a legit push to sign him. But not only will he have to pay Henry at or around the top of the market, he may need to figure out the quarterback situation first. WR Corey Davis Share Davis would represent more of a Patriots-type signing. Belichick may look at Davis and see about the same player as Allen Robinson or Chris Godwin, but a guy he could get at a fraction of the price. It may help Davis that he has absolutely toasted the Patriots in the past. WR Kenny Golladay Share There's a chance that Golladay fetches an elite-level contract, which would likely price the Patriots out. But at the same time, Golladay has consistently had trouble staying on the field (he's averaged 11.8 games played per season). When he's on the field, he's one of the league's better big-play outside receiving threats. He'd be a good fit for what the Patriots like in an "X" receiver, but the question is the price. WR Curtis Samuel Share As far as a speedy, shifty and versatile wideout, Samuel is one of the more underrated commodities in football. He's coming off a 77-catch season for a rebuilding Panthers offense. The Patriots could offer him a competitive contract without breaking the bank, and Belichick would know what to do with a player like him. TE Jonnu Smith Share Smith made only 41 catches and drew only 65 targets, but he made the most of his touches with a career-high eight touchdowns. He'd be the kind of receiving threat the Patriots have sorely lacked at tight end for a couple of years now. His deal likely wouldn't be much of a hindrance to the Patriots' budget, and his presence could actually help the development of Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene. WR Marvin Jones Share Belichick has to love Jones' consistency. He's averaged 67 catches, 962 yards, and eight touchdowns per 16 games over the past six seasons. He's played at least 13 games five times since 2014. He's never mentioned among the league's best, most dependable receivers, but he gets the job done. Sounds like a Patriot. WR Keelan Cole Share Cole is an example of someone who, for whatever reason, has torn up the Patriots in joint practices and at times in real games. The Patriots like to bring those guys in sometimes. Cole would certainly give them an element of explosiveness that they relatively lack at receiver. WR Alex Erickson Share Erickson has been a guy to watch for the Patriots since Tom Brady still played here. He's the kind of quick, tough, versatile slot receiver Belichick tends to like. He'd have a great chance to make the team on an affordable contract. WR Breshad Perriman Share A former first-round pick who has bounced between four teams in his career, Perriman's stock couldn't be lower after his catches and yards dipped to 30-505 with only three touchdowns in 2020. He's the kind of receiver the Patriots would take a flyer on in free agency. TE Gerald Everett Share Everett's receiving numbers and blocking have both steadily improved over his first four years in the NFL. He still has untapped potential as a combo tight end and likely won't command an expensive contract. The Patriots could easily pay him well and can use a solid, established guy to group with Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene.

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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.