Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald takes a look at some of the more notable free agents for the Patriots and offers some incite regarding the team’s plans for them and their potential value on the open market.
Aqib Talib
Howe believes the Patriots will look at extending Talib a three-year contract that could come close to $7 million per year in order to keep the contract under four years.
However, Howe expects Talib to be “loyal to the money” even though he has said that he would be open to returning to New England next year.
Howe rules out the franchise tag as an option and instead believes the two sides could reach an agreement on a three-year deal worth $25 million that includes games-played incentives.
We have him listed as the No. 18 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.
Julian Edelman
Howe writes that New England could offer WR Julian Edelman a three-year contract worth $12 million that includes games-played, catch and Pro Bowl incentives that could increase the deal to a max value of $15 million.
Howe does rule out the idea of a “hometown discount” based on the fact that Edelman was forced to sign a one-year deal and went on to put together a breakout year in 2013.
We have him listed as the No. 37 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.
LeGarrette Blount
Howe doesn’t expect the Patriots to offer RB LeGarrette Blount much more than a two-year contract worth $2 million.
Blount “badly” wants to return to the Patriots next year, but it appears as though the team will be cautious with regards to an offer.
Blount comes in as the No. 79 player in our Top 100 Free Agents list.
Brandon Spikes
According to Howe, the Patriots were expected to offer LB Brandon Spikes a “lowball” contract, but after how things played out at the end of the season regarding him being placed on injured reserve, Howe doesn’t see that being an option any longer.
Howe believes Spikes and his reps could push for a similar contract to the one the Dolphins gave to LB Philip Wheeler last year — five years, $26 million with $13 million guaranteed.
“Spikes’ days with the Patriots appear to be over,” Howe writes.
We have him listed as the No. 28 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.
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