NFL Free Agency 2021 Grades : New England Patriots HC and GM Bill Belichick had $60M under the cap to spend and boy did he grab it with open arms. The Patriots are pulling something like what the Buccaneers did in 2020 and its certainly looking good.
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The Patriots finished 2020 with a 7-9 record. But with 8 new additions to the line-up, the 6 time Super Bowl Champs look like they’re on their way back to relevancy in the AFC. Even though they don’t look to be finished, here are the Free Agency grades for all the Patriots new signings in 2021:
Jonnu Smith (TE)
Smith was the first bang with which the Patriots entered the 2021 offseason, signing the 25 year old to a mammoth 4 year $50M contract. Bill Belichick had shown his appreciation for Jonnu Smith before and wasn’t afraid to spend big to get his man. Even though they paid a hefty price, New Engalnd will be pleased.
Smith was a great addition to the team. The Patriots were dead last in TE production the last 2 seasons. And Jonnu Smith is one of the premier tight ends in the league, who is demonic when given space, especially in the red zone. At 6-3, 250 pounds, Smith will definitely add value to the Patriots red zone efficiency even though they could have slightly overpaid for the TE.
Josh McDaniels will be thrilled to have this monster of a tight end, possibly setting up for a role similar to what Aaron Hernandez had in years prior.
FREE AGENCY GRADE: A-
Hunter Henry (TE)
Getting Hunter Henry rode shockwaves across the league. The Patriots managed to sign the 2 best Tight ends without a contract within the first 2 days of free agency. Henry is another Elite tight end who was signed to a 3 year $37.5M deal.
As a Chargers last season, Henry was used largely as a Y-receiver and could be a more traditional piece at the position, filling the shoes of what Rob Gronkowski. He had an impressive 60 receptions for 613 yards and 4 touchdowns. He is also is a solid piece as a blocker and with Smith, the two TE will help the Patriots transition back to their trademark 12 personnel roots.
The only con for Hunter Henry is the questions surrounding his durability. “The best ability is availability”, but Hunter Henry has never played a full 16- game-season in his career.
FREE AGENCY GRADE: B+
Matthew Judon (ILB)
Matthew Judon signing a 4 year, $56M contract was arguably the most surprising of the Patriots spending spree. With 2020 opt-outs Josh Uche, Chase Winovich and Dont’a Hightower returning to the defence, another pass rusher wasn’t looked at as a need for New England.
Regardless, this is a big win for the Patriots. Not only does Bill Belichick pay well below market value for a great pass rusher but Judon can also drop back in coverage. While Judon did have six sacks in 2020, he’s not a natural pass-rusher and the coaching staff will likely need to scheme up situations for the 6-foot-3 linebacker to have a line at the quarterback. Luckily for Judon, that’s what the Patriots do best, which makes this an ideal fit for both sides.
Judon will probably fill a similar role to that of Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins during their careers at New England.
FREE AGENCY GRADE: A
Nelson Agholor (WR)
The Patriots signed the surprise 2020 Star to a 2 year $13M deal. The former Raiders wide receiver had a breakout season in 2020, with 896 yards and 8 scores. With explosive speed that can help stretch the field vertically, it is understandable why the Patriots would be interested. The wide receiver unit has been weak in that department for a couple of seasons.
But the situation is tricky. Agholor has a catch percentage in the 50’s. And although he had a career year with the Raiders in 2020, his career before that with the Eagles was average at best. So at $13M a year, Agholor could be a big bet considering his only lone season with the Raiders.
FREE AGENCY GRADE: B-
Kendrick Bourne (WR)
The Patriots signed Bourne to a 3 year, $22.5M contract. And even though the number may jump out at you, the contract is incentive-based which is good for New England.
The Former 49er is a good route runner but isn’t widely known to threaten NFL defences. However, to his credit, he did have a solid 2020 season, catching 49 passes for 667 yards and 2 scores and caught nearly 67% of his passes. And back in 2019, Jimmy Garoppolo had a passer rating of 120 when targeting Bourne.
He has a decent upside and the Patriots could hope Bourne can be a solid No. 3 receiver for the team.
FREE AGENCY GRADE: C+
Jalen Mills (SS)
Jalen Miles was a good signing for New England. Mills signed a 4 year, $24M deal and looks to be a replacement for current free agent Jason McCourty.
The former Eagle allowed a passer rating of 82 against opposing quarterbacks, who completed only 57.6% of their passes. Mills played both corner and safety which adds a lot of versatility to the Patriots defence. This is a strong signing in an already deep secondary, consisting of the likes of Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson.
FREE AGENCY GRADE: B
Davon Godchaux (DT)
Davon Godchaux to a 2 year $16M contract with the New England Patriots, who really needed help last year stopping the run. A solid defensive tackle, the Patriots would hope Davon can be a steady piece in the defensive line rotation
Two seasons ago, Godchaux led interior defenders with 32 run stops, per Pro Football Focus. He had 75 tackles and 2 sacks in 2019 before being injured in the 2020 season. He’ll be the anchor along a rebuilt defense. Davon’s transition will also be smooth as he played in Miami under HC Brian Flores the past couple of seasons who’s defensive scheme is similar to that of Bill Belichick,
FREE AGENCY GRADE: B
Henry Anderson (DE)
Henry signed a 2 year, $7M contract who’s addition will be similar to that of Davon Godchaux. The Patriots looking to sure up their run defence, Henry will be a steady fit to the scheme.
The 6-foot-6, 301 pounder is strong against the run and has shown the potential to even get after the quarterback, notching seven sacks back in 2018.
FREE AGENCY GRADE: B-
