Report: Patriots retain kicker Nick Folk with multi-year deal

The Patriots capped the first day of the NFL's legal tampering period by bringing back another productive veteran. Late Monday night, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the team has re-signed kicker Nick Folk. According to Pelissero, Folk's new contract will see him make up to $5.6 million over two years, with $2.19 million guaranteed.

Folk was first signed by the Patriots partway through the 2019 season, and he and the team had been on a year-by-year basis since then. This is the 37-year-old's first multi-year deal in New England.

In his time with the Patriots Folk has been nothing less than extraordinary. He's hit 90.5 percent of his 84 field goal attempts, and hasn't missed a kick from inside 50 yards since the 2020 season opener. Since he arrived in New England, only three kickers in the NFL have a better overall field goal percentage (min. 70 attempts).

With Folk's new contract, the Patriots have now retained five of their 22 pending free agents. Folk joins Devin McCourty, Matthew Slater, Brian Hoyer, and James Ferentz while restricted free agent Jakobi Meyers was also tendered a contract. Meanwhile, J.C. Jackson and Ted Karras have signed elsewhere.

Free agency is about to officially kick off in the NFL, but the 2022 off-season is already in full swing. Many big names have already signed new deals or been traded to new teams. In New England, multiple key players have already returned.

Monday, however, marks the official start of what's known colloquially as the "legal tampering" period. Starting at noon ET, impending free agents will be able to negotiate with other teams ahead of the start of the league year, which takes place at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

It's possible that multiple high-end free agents agree to terms with a new team at some point during legal tampering. Below is where you'll find news and rumors from across the league in our official NFL free agent tracker.

Here's a recap of the most notable NFL free agency news from the first day of legal tampering...

The Jacksonville Jaguars are not done building around Trevor Lawrence. According to Adam Schefter, they're signing former Giants tight end Evan Engram to a one-year deal worth $9 million, fully guaranteed. Engram can make up to $10 million through incentives.

Another domino falls in the cornerback market: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are re-signing Carlton Davis for three years and $45 million, per Adam Schefter. Tampa retains a key piece of their defense for Tom Brady's return.

J.C. Jackson has found the highest bidder. The Chargers are locking Jackson in for five years and up to $82.5 million, and $40 million guaranteed at signing, according to Adam Schefter. The AAV seems surprisingly low, but the guarantees rank Jackson sixth among all cornerbacks.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is signing with the Miami Dolphins to be the backup quarterback to Tua Tagovailoa, as reported by Adam Schefter.

Former Cowboys receiver Cedrick Wilson is signing a three-year deal worth up to $22.8 million with the Miami Dolphins, according to Adam Schefter. The deal includes $12.75 million guaranteed.

Per Mike Giardi, J.C. Jackson has had a busy day negotiating with prospective teams, but the only club that's made a formal offer so far is the Los Angeles Chargers. They're likely to lose Casey Hayward to free agency, making outside corner a pressing need for them. Jackson is easily the biggest prize on the market at his position, so he figures to get a huge payday wherever he lands.

The Seahawks may be rebuilding post-Russell Wilson, but they are retaining one of their tight ends. Will Dissly is staying in Seattle for three years and up to $24 million, according to Tom Pelissero.

De'Vondre Campbell would've been the best inside linebacker on the market, but instead he's staying put. According to Ian Rapoport, the Green Bay Packers have agreed to terms on a new contract for Campbell. According to Pro Football Focus, the deal is for five years and $50 million.

The Buffalo Bills confirmed that they are signing veteran offensive lineman Rodger Saffold to a one-year deal. Saffold has played both guard and tackle at the NFL level. For the past three years, he's been the Titans' starting left guard.

According to Ian Rapoport, the Jacksonville Jaguars are signing free-agent wide receiver Christian Kirk. Trevor Lawrence gets a dynamic slot receiver. Rapoport is describing the deal as "large," so it's likely Kirk was out of the Patriots' price range all along.

UPDATE: According to Ian Rapoport, Kirk's deal with the Jaguars is for four years with a base value of $72 million, and can turn into $84 million through incentives. Wild money for Kirk in Jacksonville.

There will be no Braxton Berrios reunion in New England. The former Patriots receiver is staying with the New York Jets on a two-year deal worth up to $12 million with $7M guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter. Berrios was an all-pro kick returner in 2021 and also set new career highs in catches and yards. If the Patriots want to add a shifty slot receiver, they'll have to look elsewhere.

The New York Jets are signing former 49ers guard Laken Tomlinson to a three-year deal worth up to $41.2 million, according to Adam Schefter. Tomlinson has started 80 consecutive games dating back to the 2017 season.

The defending AFC champions have found a starting offensive lineman, in the form of an ex-Patriot. Ted Karras is signing a three-year, $18 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Ian Rapoport. Pass protection was arguably the Bengals' ultimate downfall, so they hope Karras can help sew up those issues. It's a nice cash-in for the veteran, who has spent most of his career with the Patriots.

According to Field Yates and Mike Reiss, special teams captain Matthew Slater is staying with the Patriots for another year. It's a new one-year deal for the longtime cornerstone and locker room leader.

Five-time Pro-Bowl guard Brandon Scherff has agreed to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Adam Schefter. Scherff was a first team All-Pro in 2020. The details of the contract aren't out, but it should be quite lucrative. Offensive line was a major need for the Jags and quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

The new front office in Chicago had landed it's first free agent. According to Adam Schefter, the Bears are signing defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi to a three-year, $40.5 million dollar deal. Ogunjobi had seven tackles and 12 tackles for loss last year with the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.

Seattle isn't letting everybody go. The Seahawks are re-signing two-time Pro Bowl safety Quandre Diggs to a three-year, $40 million deal according to Ian Rapoport. The 29-year-old recorded 94 tackles with five interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2021.

The first big name free agent quarterback is off the board. Former Bears first-round pick Mitchell Trubisky was one of the top quarterback names on the free agent market this year, and he's now off to Pittsburgh according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Garafolo added Trubisky is now the "expected starter in place of the retired Ben Roethlisberger." Trubisky, 27, spent last year as the backup in Buffalo.

The Carolina Panthers have released a pair of players in a salary cap-saving move. 30-year-old cornerback A.J. Bouye and 27-year-old defensive end Morgan Fox have both been cut by the team.

After a breakout year in his first season in Arizona, James Conner is staying with the Cardinals. Adam Schefter is reporting the team is giving the 26-year-old running back a three-year, $25.5 million dollar deal with $13.5 million included. Conner was highly productive last season after a few down years in Pittsburgh, totaling 1,127 all-purpose yards and 18 total touchdowns with the Cards in 2021.

According to Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal, the Patriots are "showing interest" in former Packers wide receiver Marquez-Valdes Scantling. Scantling is 6-foot-4 and has averaged 17.5 yards per catch in 59 NFL games over four seasons. The Patriots were linked to Scantling earlier this week.

According to multiple reports, the Cleveland Browns have released 29-year-old receiver Jarvis Landry. This move had been expected following the team acquiring receiver Amari Cooper from the Dallas Cowboys over the weekend. Landry is a five-time Pro Bowler, but had relatively down years in 2020 and 2021. This past season, he caught 52 passes for 570 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games.

After tightening up their defense by retaining Emmanuel Ogbah, the Dolphins turned their attention to the offensive side of the ball. According to Adam Schefter, Miami is signing running back Chase Edmonds to a two-year, $12.6 million dollar deal. Edmonds is a three-down back and totaled over 900 all-purpose yards for the Arizona Cardinals last year. Now, he should play a pivotal role in Mike McDaniel's offense.

The first move of the tampering period is in. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bengals are signing former Buccaneers guard Alex Cappa to a four-year, $40 million contract. Cincinnati is expected to be big players in the offensive line market this offseason after struggling to protect Joe Burrow throughout the season.

Originally a candidate for the franchise tag, edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah will end up staying in Miami on a four-year, $65 million dollar deal. The contract, with includes $32 million in guaranteed money, was first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Ogbah has nine sacks and 24 QB hits for the Dolphins in 2021.

According to Ian Rapoport, the Green Bay Packers are releasing defensive end Za'Darius Smith. He was set to cost $15.2 million in real money and a whopping $27.6 million against the cap, so Green Bay decided to save that $15.2M (in both real and cap dollars) by moving on. A second-team All-Pro in 2020, Smith played just one game in 2021, mainly due to a shoulder injury. He's 29 years old and healthy entering the open market.

According to Omar Kelly, the Miami Dolphins are "bidders" for impending free-agent cornerback J.C. Jackson. The Dolphins already have Xavien Howard, 2020 first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene, and veteran slot corner Byron Jones on the roster, so it's surprising that they'd show any interest in Jackson, particularly the amount of money it's going to take to land him.

The Patriots are among "several" teams showing interest in impending free-agent linebacker Brennan Scarlett, according to Mike Giardi. Scarlett has 69 career NFL games under his belt and is still just 28 years old. He's been a core special teams linebacker throughout his career, most recently with the Dolphins, and also played 166 defensive snaps in Miami in 2021.

The Patriots have shored up the backup quarterback spot with a familiar face. Brian Hoyer is re-signing with the team, as first reported by Jim McBride. They're also bringing back veteran guard/center James Ferentz.

Mike Reiss added that it's a two-year deal for Hoyer. Karen Guregian was first to repor that it's a two-year deal for $3 million guaranteed, but Jeremy Fowler reported that Hoyer can make up to $4 million.

Bucs starting center Ryan Jensen is re-signing with the team for three years and $39 million, according to Adam Schefter. Tom Brady is back, and so is his partner under center.

So about that "retirement"...Tom Brady may have never uttered the word itself at any point in the off-season, leaving the door ajar for a quick return to the football field. For now, he's coming back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We'll see if it stays that way - whether with Brady or with head coach Bruce Arians.

Longtime Patriots defensive cornerstone and team leader Devin McCourty is re-signing for one year and $9 million. It'll be interesting to see how the deal is structured. McCourty was on the books for $6.45 million in dead cap money if he didn't return, due to a void year in his previous contract.

Kirk Cousins is signing a one-year extension for $35 million to stay with the Minnesota Vikings, as reported by Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Cousins was entering the final year of his deal in 2022, making him now signed through 2023.

The Dallas Cowboys have chosen who they're committing to at wide receiver. Impending free agent Michael Gallup has agreed to a five-year, $62.5 million extension to stay in Dallas, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. This move, coupled with the trade of Amari Cooper to the Browns, makes Gallup the highest-paid pass-catcher on the Cowboys.

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz and the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to a three-year deal worth $31.65 million, per Tom Pelissero. At 31 years old, Ertz has likely landed his last big cash-in. Ertz is still productive, combining for 74 catches, 763 yards, and five touchdowns between the Cardinals and Eagles.

Despite a lot of signings and tradings already taking place before the start of free agency, it's still a strong open market in the NFL. Click here to read about the top-20 free agents available entering Monday.

It's that time a year once again. NFL free agency has arrived, meaning it's time to fully put the 2021 Patriots in the rearview mirror as the team builds its roster for 2022.

The Patriots have come a long way over the last 52 weeks. This time last year, the roster needed a near-total overhaul. Entering the new league year in 2022, the team has many more foundational pieces in place - and with those additions, less money to spend.

Still, there are multiple positions on the roster that need attention. On top of filling in the holes from last year's squad, the team has 21 of its own players set to be free agents (you can find the full list of those players here).

For the purpose of this list, we won't include those players in the 2022 outlook (because they're not under contract). However, some may be more likely to return than others, which is factored in.

Of course, the Patriots can address any of these needs through both free agency and/or the draft. The depth of those classes factors into this ranking - making it more 'urgent' needs than 'biggest.' Some spots may make more sense one way or the other, but this is where things stand heading into free agency.

Patriots pending free agents in italics

This might be a little higher on the list if not for Jarrett Stidham, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Still, the relationship between Mac Jones and pending free agent Brian Hoyer was an important one for the young quarterback's development.

According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, Hoyer is likely to return. However, other teams with young QB's could see what he did for Jones and make an aggressive push to get him in their rooms. On the off chance Hoyer doesn't end up back in New England, it'd make sense for the Patriots to find another veteran with starting experience to work with Jones, especially after losing both quarterback coaches from the 2021 staff (Josh McDaniels, Bo Hardegree).

Free agent names to know: Brian Hoyer, Mike Glennon, Joe Flacco, Colt McCoy, Geno Smith, Chase Daniel

Free safety is one of the most important positions in the Patriots' defensive scheme, and Devin McCourty has played that spot at an incredibly high level for a decade. Getting him back on a one-year, $9 million deal was big. If he had hit the open market, this position would have been much higher on this list.

Still, adding a young player as a possible heir apparent to the role down the road could be a solid move for the right cost. Having that player play alongside McCourty could be a valuable teaching experience, and add some depth in the short term (this would best be addressed during the draft). A veteran depth option wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Free agent names to know: Marcus Williams, Marcus Maye, Quandre Diggs, Duron Harmon, DeShon Elliott, Tavon Wilson

By not tendering Jakob Johnson, the Patriots will head into the offseason without a fullback on their roster. If the power run game is going to remain a central part of the offense, that will need to be rectified. Johnson could still return - non-tendering him doesn't mean the team doesn't want him back, just that they didn't want to pay him the tender amount (min. $2.43 million).

At the same time, this could signal a change in offensive philosophy. With Josh McDaniels not in the building for the first time in a decade, could the approach change? We've seen the team bring in more versatile fullbacks in recent years (Dan Vitale, Dalton Keene) although none have stuck to this point.

Free agent names to know: Jakob Johnson, Alex Ingold, Patrick Ricard, Andy Janovich, Elijhaa Penny, Michael Burton

This is another positional need that could and likely will be solved by bringing back a veteran. Nick Folk was one of the best kickers in football last year, and without an obvious replacement on the roster it would make sense for the Patriots to want him back.

Despite a successful year in 2020, Folk wasn't re-signed by the Patriots last season until a week into free agency. However, Folk's market will likely be stronger this time around - he's had back-to-back successful seasons after spending a year out of the league. If he's willing to listen to offers elsewhere, the Patriots may need to make him more of a priority this time around. Yet, he's spoken highly of his time in New England and may not be looking for a change at 37 years old.

Free agent names to know: Nick Folk, Greg Zuerlein, Younghoe Koo, Joey Slye

Henry Anderson didn't seem to get a ton of time with the first unit in the preseason last year, then played sparingly in four games before getting hurt. Meanwhile, Chase Winovich's status remains an enigma - he played just 14 percent of the team's defensive snaps last year. When on the field, he projects as more of a weakside rusher, a role handled well by Matthew Judon. Winovich is also entering the last year of his rookie deal.

That's all a long way of saying the Patriots could use a big body to play opposite Judon and next to Christian Barmore to sure up their defensive line. Lawrence Guy and Deatrich Wise are penciled into that role right now, but finding a player with more three-down potential could add to the dynamic of the defensive front. Recently-released Trey Flowers would be a great fit for that role and they could also look for an outside linebacker to contribute in that sense - especially after releasing Kyle Van Noy. Either way, there will be options available in both free agency and the draft.

Free agent names to know: Trey Flowers, Melvin Ingram, Charles Harris, Uchenna Nwosu

One of the more understated storylines of the 2021 Patriots was how much the offense missed James White. White turned 30 in February and heads to free agency as he works his way back from his hip injury. 32-year-old Brandon Bolden, who for the most part filled in for White in the third down back role, is also set to be a free agent.

Last year, there were only nine running backs (including Bolden) over the age of 30 to play eight or more games in the entire NFL. Even if White and/or Bolden return, adding youth to a group that plays such a crucial role in the offense is something the Patriots should look to do this offseason. They usually address running back needs in the draft, but with only six picks could end up looking to free agency this time around.

Meanwhile, the Patriots early-down backs were some of their most exciting players in 2021 in Damien Harris and rookie Rhamondre Stevenson. Both remain under contract, although Harris is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

Free agent names to know: James White, Brandon Bolden, Cordarrelle Patterson, Chase Edmonds, Marlon Mack, Justin Jackson, Darrel Williams, Phillip Lindsay

Why isn't wide receiver higher on this list? The Patriots have NFL-caliber players across the board here, and some depth as well. There may not be the top-end talent some fans are looking for, but the unit was able to be the sixth-highest scoring offense in the NFL in 2021. At the same time, there are other positions where the team simply doesn't have enough bodies - starters or backups - and will need to invest heavily just to get the depth chart set.

That being said, an upgrade at wide receiver could go a long way for the Patriots' offense. They've reportedly been doing their due diligence on a number of outside receivers both in free agency and the draft (another reason this is a less-urgent need is it being such a strong receiver draft class - they'll have their chances to add).

Meanwhile in the slot, the team tendered restricted free agent Jakobi Meyers on Sunday at the second-round level. That makes it highly likely Meyers will return in 2021, but the team could look to upgrade or bring in another option if Meyers leaves after this season. They've been linked to a handful of slot receivers over the past few weeks.

Free agent names to know: Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski, Allen Robinson, Allen Lazard, Marquez-Valdes Scantling, D.J. Chark, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Will Fuller, Emmanuel Sanders, Jamison Crowder, Braxton Berrios, Christian Kirk, Jakeem Grant, DaeSean Hamilton

The Patriots are in line for a major reset at middle linebacker. Both Dont'a Hightower and Ja'Whaun Bentley are set to be free agents after playing over 600 defensive snaps last season. If those two aren't retained, a full-on restock of the room with established starting-caliber veterans and/or premium draft picks could be on the way.

Beyond Hightower and Bentley, the Patriots don't have much proven depth in the middle. Raekwon McMillan, Terez Hall, and Cameron McGrone all offer upside but are coming back off major injuries. Plus, that would be a very young group for a position Belichick values veteran leadership at. At the very least, even if those are the players the Patriots are going to lean on moving forward, adding a contributing-level veteran - whether it's Hightower, Bentley, or somebody new - would make sense.

Free agent names to know: Dont'a Hightower, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Leighton Vander Esch, Josey Jewell, Anthony Barr, Alec Ogletree, Bobby Wagner

Not left tackle, not right tackle. Tackle. Both spots are likely immediate or near-immediate needs for the Patriots.

Trent Brown was last year's starting right tackle when healthy. He's a pending free agent who could chase another big-money deal. Even if he returns to New England, their history in these types of situations would suggest that would likely be on another one-year deal.

At the same time, starting left tackle Isaiah Wynn is entering the final year of his rookie deal. There have been questions about Wynn's fit in New England and his ability to stay healthy (he's missed 31 games in four years due to injury, including his entire rookie year). He may need to be replaced next year.

Tackle is a position the Patriots tend to try and stay ahead on, instead of replacing those players as they leave. Replacing Brown will be a tough enough job - on top of that, they have to decide between extending Wynn, potentially adding another tackle as his eventual replacement, or dealing with another on-the-fly replacement next year.

There is one unknown here that could make handling the situation easier for the Patriots than it seems from the outside. After playing exclusively at guard in college, Michael Onwenu moved to tackle at rookie and looked like a star. Last year, the team moved him back inside to guard with mixed results, and he ended up on the bench at the end of the year.

Heading into year three, it would make sense for the team to settle on a long-term position for Onwenu and let him develop at one spot. If they view him as a tackle long-term, he'd be Brown's likely replacement this year. If they view him as a guard, he steps in for pending free agent Ted Karras, and the tackle outlook is as described above. Based on how they handled things last year though, the former seems to be the case.

It's also worth noting tackle is a position the Patriots have historically addressed almost exclusively through the draft under Belichick. Of course there are exceptions (Brown was acquired via trade), but as big of a need as it is this feels like a spot they're more likely to address in April.

Free agent names to know: Trent Brown, Morgan Moses, Riley Reiff, Germain Ifedi, Brandon Shell

Realistically, cornerback could have been listed twice in the top three spots. This was a major need for the team before it was reported that they didn't plan on using the franchise tag on J.C. Jackson, a move many expected.

If the Patriots want to continue playing press-man defense, they need strong man corners on the outside. Right now, the depth chart on the outside is Jalen Mills, Joejuan Williams, and then Justin Bethel (meanwhile, the team remains strong in the slot with Jonathan Jones, Myles Bryant, and Shaun Wade).

The Patriots had seemingly the ideal setup for their secondary during the 2019 season. Two strong man outside corners in Jackson and Stephon Gilmore, Jones in the slot, Jason McCourty as a rover third cornerback/second deep safety, Devin McCourty as the primary deep safety, and Patrick Chung in the box. With that combination of players on the backend, the linebackers were able to focus on playing downhill and asked to contribute in coverage - something that was an issue for New England in 2021.

To get back to that defensive mold, the Patriots need to add two starting-caliber cornerbacks (moving Mills to the rover role), or at least one starting-caliber corner and then another rover. Boundary cornerback is one of the toughest positions to add to in the league, especially when looking for guys who play the game the way the Patriots want. It's not impossible to do this offseason, but they have their work cut out for them here.

Free agent names to know: Carlton Davis, Stephon Gilmore, Casey Hayward Jr., Darious Williams, Charvarius Ward, Eli Apple, Rasul Douglas, Joe Haden, James Bradberry (trade candidate)

With that, let the free agent frenzy begin! Make sure to check back in in April, when we'll reset the team needs heading into the NFL Draft.

Last year, the Patriots had a number of needs and plenty of cap space to address those needs in free agency. A year later, the team is in position to make more targeted signings, looking to round out the edges of the core assembled in 2021.

One of those spots the Patriots could look to add is at wide receiver. It seems like a yearly occurrence at this point, but there's been plenty of talk about New England adding both a No. 1 wideout and depth at the position.

From everything that's been made public, it appears the Patriots are busy working on such an addition or additions. They met with the majority of the top wide receivers in this year's draft class last week at the NFL Combine, and have reportedly explored a trade for former 1,000-yard receiver Robby Anderson.

Reports on Friday suggest they're also doing their due diligence when it comes to this year's free agent wide receivers as well. Both Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal and CLNS Media's Evan Lazar have connected the Patriots to players who will be available when the NFL's legal tampering window - the unofficial start of free agency - opens on Monday.

The Patriots the Patriots have been talking to range from outside receivers to slot guy to gadget players, and from the top of the market to true value options.

There have been multiple report connecting the Patriots to Robinson, who is one of the top pass catchers on the market this year. A former Pro Bowler and regular 1,000-yard receiver, the 28-year-old saw his production fall off last season in a Chicago Bears' offense that was among the worst in the league. He went from 102 catches for 1,250 yards in 2020 (16 games) to 38 catches for 410 yards in 2021 (12 games).

The Patriots reportedly considered signing Robinson last year before Chicago franchise tagged him. This time around, he could be a value signing if his down season hurts his overall market. If Robinson or another premier outside target is added the Patriots could "look to move Nelson Agholor" according to Lazar.

At 6-foot-5, 227 pounds, Lazard is another potential outside receiver target. He has gotten better each of his four years in the league, with the Patriots liking players who are trending up. Despite being a secondary option in the Packers' offense last year, the 26-year-old former UDFA set career highs almost across the board with 40 catches for 513 yards and eight touchdowns.

Unlike most of the players on this list who are unrestricted free agents, Lazard is restricted. If the Packers tender him a contract, they would have right of first refusal and a chance to match any deal offered to him in free agency, and the team signing him could potential could have to give up a draft pick if Green Bay elects not to match (similar to what happened between the Patriots and Steelers with Emmanuel Sanders in 2013).

Another Packer, Valdez-Scantling is a big play machine. In four seasons in Green Bay, the 6-foot-4 wideout has averaged 17.5 yards per catch. However, he is coming off a down year in 2021 when he missed six games and finished with 26 receptions for 430 yards.

Chark had a breakout year during the 2019 season, with 73 catches for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns. The performance earned him his first and to this point only Pro Bowl nod. However, he's fallen off (along with the rest of the Jacksonville offense) since and struggled to stay on the field. Between the 2020 and 2021 seasons he played just 17 total games recording 60 catches for 860 yards and seven touchdowns.

At 6-foot-4, the 25-year-old former second-round pick has the size the Patriots may be looking to add to their offense, and does have top-level production on his resume. The question is what his injury history does to his value?

A fourth-round pick in 2018, Hamilton was let go by the Broncos as a cap move following their acquisition of Russell Wilson earlier this week. A fourth-round pick in 2018, Hamilton is a 'big slot' receiver who wins with his route running ability. He missed the 2021 season with a torn ACL, and could be viewed as another 'value' signing.

According to Daniels, the Patriots are "already showing interest" in the 27-year-old. Because he was released and isn't coming off an expiring contract, the Patriots technically wouldn't need to wait until Monday if they want to sign him.

Grant would be a fascinating fit for the Patriots. At 5-foot-7, 171 pounds he's a fast and shifty slot receiver, but he can also line up in the backfield on passing downs. That type of gadget player is becoming more and more popular in the NFL, and Grant could be the Patriots' chance to add that dynamic - as well as some serious speed - to their offense.

On top of that, Grant has been an All-Pro returner for the last two years with experience fielding kickoffs and puts. The Patriots may need a player in that role with Gunner Olszewski a pending restricted free agent.

The Patriots need to take advantage of the time they have with Mac Jones on his rookie contract, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to surround him with even more weapons.

Thanks to the successful free-agent signings of Kendrick Bourne and Hunter Henry, and continued improvement from Jakobi Meyers, the Pats took a step forward in terms of pass-catching talent in 2021. But they could still stand to get even better, particularly at wide receiver, especially considering the depth charts of their competition in the AFC.

A popular comparison has been to that of Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase in Cincinnati. Chase immediately became one of the best wideouts in the NFL as a rookie, so it's not entirely realistic to expect the Patriots to land a talent like that immediately, unless they pay up in free agency. But it's certainly realistic for Bill Belichick and the Patriots' front office to identify a true slot receiver to complement Bourne and Meyers, both of whom are more hybrid inside-outside players.

As fans have seen for years in the Patriots' offensive system, they are at their best when they have a traditional inside receiver who can get open early in routes, make plays in the short-to-intermediate areas, move the chains, and occasionally turn a short catch into a big gain with his speed and quickness.

A free-agent slot receiver may not necessarily be the game-breaking kind of talent that Ja'Marr Chase or the top free-agent receivers are, but it should definitely improve the roster at a specific area of need and make life easier for Mac Jones in his second year. Here are seven free-agent slot receivers who could boost the Patriots' offense in the 2022 season.

At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, Smith-Schuster is closer to the same size as Meyers and Bourne than that of Gunner Olszewski. But he is certainly at his best playing inside. He lined up in the slot on 78.8 percent of his offensive snaps in 2021.

Smith-Schuster played only five games before a shoulder injury and the resulting surgery cut his regular season short. But he did return for the Steelers in the wild card round and made five catches for 26 yards, so in theory, he's healthy as he heads toward unrestricted free agency. The fact that it was a shoulder injury should mean that his quickness is intact.

We'll see if his clean bill of health can help him get more than a one-year deal, but Smith-Schuster is likely to see less on the open market than his more productive counterparts at the top of the heap. Still, he's two years removed from a 97-catch season and would give Jones a fearless, dynamic target over the middle of the field.

Kirk is younger and faster than Smith-Schuster, and would bring a big-play element to the slot receiver spot. He scored touchdowns of 80 and 56 yards in his third season in 2020, and added five more scores in 2021, three of which came from more than 20 yards out.

In an impressive leap forward, Kirk led the Cardinals in catches (77) and targets (103) while lining up in the slot 80.2 percent of the time. He's also efficient; his 74.8 percent catch rate was seventh among all receivers.

At 25 years old coming off a career year, Kirk will probably command a long-term deal for at least mid-market value. But he seems like the exact type of player the Patriots could install in the slot full-time.

Also known as The Patriot Killer! In reality, it was just one big game for McKenzie against the Pats. But in a Week 16 game with first place in the AFC East on the line and the Patriots focusing on slowing down Stefon Diggs, McKenzie exploded for 11 catches, 125 yards, and a touchdown. That stung.

McKenzie is relatively small, but he's also young, fast, and inexpensive. He should be able to get a multi-year deal somewhere, but won't break the bank. Most importantly, he'd be a good fit for the Patriots and diminish the depth chart of their chief rival in the division.

Belichick hasn't been shy about bringing in players who played well against the Patriots in the past. McKenzie would make sense, and come relatively cheaply as a guy with a low volume of production so far in his career.

Sound familiar? Berrios began his career with the Patriots as a sixth-round pick out of Miami. But he spent his rookie season on injured reserve before being waived in 2019.

Berrios ended up with the Jets, and surprisingly enough, has developed into a decent slot receiver. His catches have gone up in each of the last three seasons, with a career-best 46 in 2021. He was also a First Team All-Pro kick returner, leading the league with 30.4 yards per return and delivering the longest kick return touchdown of the season at 102 yards.

One would think there are no hard feelings between Berrios and the Patriots. He'd make for a promising addition to the slot receiver depth chart, and the relative familiarity with New England is a plus.

OBJ will definitely come cheaply, because he may not even be able to practice until around September. The former Giants, Browns, and Rams wideout tore his ACL as he made a catch in Super Bowl LVI, which was unfortunate for obvious reasons, but doubly so because it felt like he was on his way to a big game.

Beckham turns 30 years old in November and will now be on (likely) his fourth team in nine seasons. Off-field drama has tended to follow him around. But Beckham also acknowledged that there was once mutual interest between him and the Patriots during his brief time as a free agent during the 2021 season.

Well, his price tag will never be lower than it is now. If Beckham can prove he's close to the same player he's been in his career - which is a legitimate question mark after a second ACL injury - he'll be good bang for the buck, and give Jones a potential game-breaker over the middle.

Wilson lined up in the slot 82.7 percent of the time, the highest rate on the Cowboys. That's notable, because Dallas lined up three other pass-catchers inside for at least 359 plays.

The 26-year-old Wilson came up with 45 catches, 602 yards, and six touchdowns for the league's most productive offense. That's impressive, considering he had the sixth-most targets on the team.

Belichick may view the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Wilson as more of a hybrid receiver, which might make him a redundancy with Meyers and Bourne. But he's a proven producer in the slot and would inject the depth chart with youth and perhaps some untapped potential.

Crowder is a familiar name to Patriots fans at this point, as a three-year veteran of the Jets. The 28-year-old wouldn't transform the offense overnight, but he's proven to be a steady and dependable slot receiver for most of his career.

Despite the presence of Berrios and dynamic rookie Elijah Moore, Crowder lined up in the slot more often than any Jets receiver in 2021. He also managed to lead the team in catches with 51, despite working with a rookie quarterback and a defensive head coach.

Crowder could step right in and start in the slot in three-receiver sets, but signing him may only be worth it if a spot opens up on the roster. The Patriots would be better suited aiming a little higher, but Crowder would be a solid fallback plan.

It's officially the 2022 off-season in the NFL, but as you already know if you follow league, there almost is no off-season. The calendar remains packed with big events and important dates. It's time for a refresher on what to know about and when the big events are happening.

We don't have actual football games, which count in the standings, for about seven months, and that's always a bummer. But between free agency, trades, the draft, and team training camps, there is almost always something worth fans' attention.

Maybe you have to plan things around these big events, or perhaps you just want to know ahead of time. The NFL calendar is always worth knowing for anyone who's into the sport, and 2022 is no different.

Football season may be over, but there's still plenty to talk about for next year. Here are the key dates on the 2022 NFL calendar to know about as we head into the off-season.

The first big party of the year for prospective players, as well as GMs, coaches, scouts, and agents. And reporters sniffing around for nuggets of information from all of them. The top draft prospects separate themselves in these drills, which figure to be more important and involved than they were in the more COVID-limited 2020 and 2021 seasons.

For draft enthusiasts, it'll be their first chance to pore over the performances of their favorite prospects. For the casual fan, it's a chance to get the first look at the top players to know.

The Combine is also an opportunity for more unheralded draft prospects to rise up the boards. But the event remains invite-only, so you're guaranteed to see the best of the best on the TV broadcasts. (Yes, the Combine is on TV.)

This is the last day of the league year that teams can place the franchise tag on impending unrestricted free agents. Tagged players are typically coming out of their rookie contracts having significantly outperformed them, making the value of a franchise tag lower than that of a long-term deal.

Franchise tags are one-year deals for a set number, which varies by position. Teams still have the option to trade players after tagging them. Over The Cap has a list of projected totals for the franchise tag and transition tag. The latter grants a team the right to match or refuse an offer sheet that a tagged player signs with another team, but is rarely used.

Notable NFL players who should be considered candidates for the franchise tag include Packers wide receiver Davante Adams, Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson, Saints safety Marcus Williams, Chiefs tackle Orlando Brown, and Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki.

This is where it really gets fun. In recent years, players signings had begun to inundate the news right at the official start of free agency, exposing the plain reality that teams, players, and agents had done all kinds of negotiating (read: tampering) before anyone had officially become a fre agent.

Thus, the NFL introduced the three-day "legal tampering" period in 2013, allowing players and teams to "begin" negotiating before the start of free agency. But most recently, in 2021, signings were announced at the outset of that.

This is all to say: mark your calendar for legal tampering, because that is when most of the big free agency news will drop.

All pending unrestricted free agents become official at 4 p.m. ET on March 16. Most of the major free-agent signings across the league will have already been reported by then, but this is when teams can officially announce their moves.

That doesn't mean free agency will be over so soon. The open market will remain deep. It'll just be mostly mid-level free agents and below after this point.

The league meeting is the annual summit of owners, execs, and coaches, particularly those involved with the competition committee. The most newsworthy items from the league meeting are usually league-wide rule changes, which are discussed and sometimes agreed upon for implementation.

In light of controversies emanating from the 2021 season, one can expect overtime rules to be heavily debated during the league meeting, and perhaps changed.

This is only for first-year head coaches. They will be allowed, but not required, to begin off-season workouts with their new teams on this date. Teams with returning head coaches can begin their off-season programs as early as April 18.

This marks the last day that teams can bring draft-eligible prospects to their facilities for a physical. Most draft prep is likely done by this point. The football world will already be filled with speculation and rumors on teams' interest in particular players, and where the top prospects in the first round will land.

The day before the draft, April 27, is the deadline for teams to "time, test, and interview" prospects.

Restricted free agents have until April 22 to sign an offer sheet with a new team, and their respective teams would have until the 27th to match or decline it. Offer sheets are relatively rare, mainly because of the compensation required and the types of players available in restricted free agency.

If it's a good-enough player, his team will extend a qualifying offer for a first-round tender, and thus would receive a first-round pick in return if they decline to match. At the same time, players are only eligible for restricted free agency in the first place if they have accrued three seasons at the time of their expired contract, so they are never players who went high in the draft.

So, offer sheets are typically saved for players who have significantly outperformed their draft status and become worth acquiring for a high pick. There are some notable RFAs in 2022 who could be tendered at a lower round and become candidates for more affordable draft pick compensation, including a trio of wide receivers: Green Bay's Allen Lazard, Miami's Preston Williams, and New Orleans' Deonte Harris.

Just about every NFL fan would say the Super Bowl is the biggest day of the year, and many would put the draft at No. 2. It's the culmination of months of player workouts, team scouting, and media/fan speculation and discussion. Several of the top picks are likely already known by this point, but that doesn't take away from the excitement and odd pageantry that comes with the event.

After the draft is concluded with rounds 4-7 on April 30, the news cycle moves on to undrafted free agent signings in the ensuing days. But off-season workouts have already begun by this point, leaving football commentators with no shortage of things to talk about well into springtime.

May will likely mark the start of mandatory minicamp for all 32 teams. Those dates, as well as training camp, have yet to be announced. But those in the football world will have plenty to chew on from February through April.

If you still haven't found the information you need on the 2022 off-season, there's plenty more to know at the official NFL website.

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.