OUT on the Patriots free agent class
The Patriots have returned from the bye week and after one practice made a roster move moving in from veteran wide receiver KJ Osborne. The 4th year receiver out of Miami played in just 7 games after signing a 1-year 4 million dollar contact. Osborne was coming off a season where he had 48 catches, 540 yards and 3 touchdowns with Minnesota.
Add Osborne to the list of free agent signings that have not worked out for the team this season. Chuks Okorafor was signed to be a starting tackle but went AWOL after just one game. The two positions the Patriots needed to upgrade the most were wide recovery and tackle both failed to make it through the season. Some will tell you the free agent pool wasn’t great, they just happened to sign the ones that didn’t fit in. That’s on Eliot Wolf, the Patriots VP of player personnel.
The list doesn’t stop of free agents not making an impact. Nick Leverett who had success in Tampa Bay was forced to love to center after David Andrew’s injury. He was cut after a variety of penalties and snap issues. Free agent pick up Ben Brown had down a nice job taking his place. Armon Watts was another free agent signing to bolster the defensive line. He did not make it out of camp with an injury and later signed with the Giants.
The first love the Patriots made this offseason was signing Jacoby Brissett. He was given 8 million dollars and was told he would be the week 1 starter. He has been a great leader and mentor to Drake Maye, but allocating that money and his play on the field is an unsatisfactory grade in free agency. Austin Hooper is the best of the bunch. Finding a connection with Maye and complimentary to Hunter Henry. That’s a hit. Antonio Gibson has shown some signs overtaking Rhamondre Stevenson during the season. He has taken over kick return duties and added a change of pace at running back. Gibson a former starter in Washington had been a solid acquisition. Jaylinn Hawkins has played a nice roll on the team and has filled in with losses to Kyle Dugger and Jabril Peppers. He gets a passing grade. Sione TakiTaki is an incomplete starting the year on PUP.
We will see how the final four games of the season turn out, but Wolf & Mayo should be questioned in retunring next season. It’s not a great look moving on after one season, either was this years free agency and draft class outside of Maye. I’m OUT on the this free agent class and both returning next year.
