With rosters consolidating from 90 to 53 around the NFL in the past few days, talented and accomplished players are now on the market looking for a new home. This, in turn, gives the New England Patriots an opportunity to further strengthen their own 53-man team: not only do they have ample financial resources to lure free agents in, they also own the third overall spot in the waiver claim order.
With that in mind, here are some names to watch who could make sense as additions for the Patriots over the coming hours and days.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (free agency): In his third season in 2022, Peoples-Jones broke out with 839 receiving yards for the Browns in Alex Van Pelt’s offense. Unfortunately, he was unable to follow that up in 2023 and was traded to Detroit during the season, where he failed to make the cut. Peoples-Jones has the size to play on the boundary with experience in Alex Van Pelt’s system, so the team may view him as an upgrade over Jalen Reagor or Kayshon Boutte.
Terrace Marshall (waivers): Marshall was a second-round pick by the Panthers in 2021, but he has struggled to make his college success translate at the professional level with less than 800 career receiving yards. Like with Peoples-Jones, Marshall has a large frame and could be a player with untapped potential the Patriots view as an upgrade to their depth.
Kadarius Toney (waivers): The Patriots could try for another 2021 draft reclamation project in former first-rounder Kadarius Toney. The veteran has had a turbulent career, spending a year and a half with the Giants before being sent to Kansas City. Toney is a playmaker when the ball is in his hands but getting it there has been an issue, and his reliability made him fall out of favor with Patrick Mahomes.
Noah Brown (free agency): Brown is a veteran with over 500 yards in each of the last two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans. Houston decided to shift to younger options in the team’s receiving corps, sending Brown to the free market. He could be a steady veteran addition to the team’s rotation.
Donald Parham Jr. (free agency): Parham is a big body who has worked as a rotational tight end through four seasons in the NFL. With a new coaching staff, the Chargers opted to go in a different direction this year. Perhaps the Patriots think they can find a way to use his 6-foot-8 frame.
Cameron Latu (waivers): The 49ers drafted Latu in the third round just last season, but a torn meniscus in the preseason kept him out for the year. He could be a young talent worth adding to the offense in hope of developing under Alex Van Pelt.
Samaje Perine (free agency): Perine has been a steady rotational back with at least 200 rushing yards in each of the last four seasons. With just three running backs on the active roster, Perine could provide some depth for New England.
Demetric Felton (waivers): Felton converted from wide receiver to running back his senior year of college, but he has struggled to find success at his new position in the NFL. The Patriots were interested in him during camp before he signed in Indianapolis, so perhaps they want to take a chance on him now to fill out some depth.
Geron Christian (free agency): Christian was signed by the Browns last season after being released by the Texans, and he went on to start the final nine games of the season at left tackle, including a playoff game, for Cleveland. With that experience with Alex Van Pelt, he could provide some stability on the offensive line, especially with Vederian Lowe nursing an injury.
Charlie Heck (free agency): Heck was a 2020 fourth-rounder who started 21 games for the Texans over the last four seasons at right tackle. He has been dealing with a foot injury, but he could add some experience at tackle for the Patriots.
Caleb Jones (waivers): Caleb Jones hasn’t done much in the NFL, but his 6-foot-9 size stands out at tackle. The Patriots may be intrigued by one of the biggest men in the league.
Ricky Stromberg (waivers): Taken in the third round a year ago, interior offensive lineman Ricky Stromberg could provide some depth at center for the Patriots team that has had issues snapping the ball outside of David Andrews.
K.J. Henry (waivers): This name may be familiar; Henry is the Commanders defensive end who blew up Jacoby Brissett Sunday night. He had ten pressures this preseason and could provide depth on the edge with the Patriots looking to replace Matthew Judon.
Siaki Ika (waivers): At 358 pounds, you won’t find many defensive tackles better than Ika. However, the 2023 third-round pick has been unable to turn his size into production against the run. With Christian Barmore out indefinitely, the Patriots should leave no stone unturned for depth up front.
Marquan McCall (waivers): McCall is another space-eater in the middle of the defense who has struggled to find a roster spot in the NFL. He performed well this preseason but couldn’t crack Las Vegas’s defense. If the team views him as an upgrade on Trysten Hill, he could be a solid addition. And if that name rings a bill, you’re not mistaken: the Patriots had claimed McCall last offseason after he was released form the Panthers, but never actually ended up adding him to their roster after a failed physical.
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