The Patriots have loads of cap space this offseason. Other teams, not so much.
The New England Patriots are ready to enter NFL free agency strapped with cash. Other teams around the league will find their spending pockets a bit more shallow.
Prior to the start of free agency in March, teams will look to make necessary roster moves to free up as much cap space as possible. That could result with talented players being parted with and finding their way to free agency, where teams like the Patriots could benefit with nearly $120 million in projected cap space.
For the Patriots, let’s explore six potential cap casualties that they could be interest in if they reach the open market.
WR Christian Kirk (Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Patriots need upgrades at wide receiver this offseason but the current free agent market leaves plenty to be desired (especially with Tee Higgins looking likely to stay in Cincinnati). That could lead them to look for some veterans to help raise the floor in the room. Apart of that group may be Christian Kirk, who posted 1,100-plus yards in his first year in Jacksonville in 2022 and could be a good fit inside with Josh McDaniels.
Kirk has seen his production drop the last two years as he’s battled injuries, however. He’s played just 20 total games over that stretch including eight last year due to a broke collarbone. The Jaguars were reportedly considering trading him at last year’s deadline and would save $10.4 million by releasing the 29-year-old.
RT Braden Smith (Indianapolis Colts)
Offensive tackle remains one of, in not the biggest, needs on the Patriots roster. With questions atop the free agent market and NFL Draft at the position, it could be another spot New England looks to bring in some veterans to help solidify certain spots. That could include right tackle Braden Smith, who enters the final year of a four-year, $70 million contract extension with the Colts.
Smith missed the final five games this past season due to a personal issue and dealt with an assortment of injuries in 2023 that limited him to 10 games. When on the field, however, Smith did not allow a sack in ‘23 and surrendered just four this season (three coming in one game). For Indianapolis, they would save $16.75 million releasing the 28-year-old.
ED Harold Landry III (Tennessee Titans)
One of Mike Vrabel’s first draft selections in Tennessee could soon find himself on the free agent market. Even after a nine sack season, the Titans could save nearly $11 million on the cap this season and an additional $17.5 million next season by releasing Landry this offseason.
For a Patriots team in desperate need of pass rushers, a reunion with Landry, who also attended Boston College, could make plenty of success. His advanced pass rush metrics have fallen off a bit in recent years, but the 29-year-old is still a finisher as he recorded 10.5 and then 9.0 sacks in his last two seasons since tearing his ACL in 2022.
ED Bryce Huff (Philadelphia Eagles)
Huff will be an interesting name to watch in Philadelphia this offseason. After inking a big three-year, $51.1 million deal in free agency last offseason the pass rusher fell out of favor with the eventual Super Bowl Champions. Appearing in just 12 games, Huff managed just 2.5 sacks and 23 pressures (five coming in a meaningless Week 18 contest).
New England has seen first-hand how productive the 27-year-old can be as pass rusher with the New York Jets, where he took on an expanded role in 2023 and set career-highs with 10.5 sacks and 67 pressures. If they believe he can replicate that success Huff would be worthy of a look as a reclamation project. For the Eagles, the best way to offload Huff will be a trade with a post-June 1 designation.
DL Javon Hargrave (San Francisco 49ers)
The Patriots will likely address their defensive line in a deep draft class, but they could also find some value in free agency. That could include 32-year-old Javon Hargrave who is coming off a triceps tear that cost him the majority of the 2024 season. This offseason the 49ers have already committed to releasing him (and potentially bringing him back for the right price) just two years into a four-year, $84 million deal.
Time will tell how productive Hargrave will be off the injury, but the interior rusher did record 60-plus pressures over each of his last three seasons to go with 25.5 combined sacks. Before getting hurt this year, Hargrave recorded one sack and eight pressures over the 49ers first three games. With teams eyeing a loaded defensive tackle draft class, Hargrave could slide under the radar on the open market.
CB Jaire Alexander (Green Bay Packers)
Alexander was once viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in football after earning two Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro nods in 2020 and 2022. More recently, however, Alexander has played just seven games in each of the last two seasons due to an assortment of injuries.
With his future and relationship with the team in question, it looks likely that Green Bay will move off the corner this offseason. A trade or release prior to June 1 would free up just over $6.8 million in cap space and over $17 million next season. Either move with a post-June 1 designation would come with $17 million and $19.5 million in relief over those two years.
While Alexander’s inability to stay on the field is problematic, taking a shot on pairing the 28-year-old with Christian Gonzalez could be an enticing option for the Patriots.