In the fifth of a five-part series, CSNNE.com Patriots Insider Tom E. Curran takes a look at potential free agents New England might have interest in. Today: safeties.
PATRIOTS SITUATION
This certainly isn’t a huge need position. At corner, the Patriots have a Pro Bowl corner in Malcolm Butler and a solid starter with upside in Logan Ryan. Justin Coleman is the third corner, having been re-upped on Monday on a one-year deal. Daryl Roberts was drafted last season and is in the mix as well. The Patriots are two deep at free safety with Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon and two deep at big safety with Patrick Chung and Jordan Richards. Corner could use the presence of a mid-level veteran. I’m jamming safety in here just because Eric Weddle played footsie with the Patriots in MMQB.
POSSIBLE TARGETS
Leon Hall, 31, Bengals. A very good corner in his prime, still a versatile and smart player who excels in the slot.
Casey Hayward, 27, Packers. A former second-round pick, Hayward’s dealt with some injuries in recent years but he’s also solid in the slot and would give the Patriots some flexibility.
Eric Weddle, 31, Chargers. A free safety who’s smart, can hit, has very good ball skills and was an All-Pro in 2014. The Patriots don’t turn their nose up to good players if they can get them on the cheap even if there doesn’t appear to be a need.