Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Patience: New England Patriots Mostly Quiet to Start NFL Free Agency

Episode Date: March 9, 2026

The New England Patriots walked into the first day of NFL Free Agency with a lot on its “to-do list.” Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye look to woo upgrades on the roster as the Patriots look to build of...f their visit to the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks. Which edge did they sign - Boye Mafe? Odafeh Oweh? K’Lavon Chaisson? Dre’Mont Jones? We have all the latest on this live edition of Locked On Patriots, hosted by Nick Cattles! Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts... Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/... #patriots #newenglandpatriots Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everyday... Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! TurboTax This year you’re getting a major upgrade — Intuit TurboTax now has in-person locations nationwide. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel FanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a College Basketball Parlay Profit Boost. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. 5-Hour ENERGY Have your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at 5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transcript
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Starting point is 00:00:00 The Pats helped address one of their biggest needs at the very start of free agency, but have mostly stayed silent the rest of the way. We're going to break it all down. This is Lockdown Patriots. You are Locked-on Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. What's happening? I'm your host, Nick Cattle, has been covering the Pats for the past 16 years,
Starting point is 00:00:32 and welcome the Lockdown Patriots, part of the Lockdown Podcasts, part of the Lockdown Podcasts. part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, now the number one sports podcast network, your team every day. On today's show, the Alec Pierce Dream ended, and it ended quickly for the Pats. In the second segment, the Pats make a huge addition to help their run game. But first, we get to the biggest signing of the day to this point for Mike Vrable and company, and it's at a spot desperate for help. Now, before we get to free agency, I just want to mention a story.
Starting point is 00:01:04 and this is significant news for the Patriots. We just found out a couple of hours ago, if not sooner than that, that charges have been dropped against Christian Barmore. There was some questioning of whether or not Barmore was going to be a part of the future for the Patriots. He had the legal case hovering over his head. Well, charges have been dropped, and I would expect Christian Barmore to be back in 2026. Again, this is big and significant news that should help the defensive line. It should help the defense, the combination of Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.
Starting point is 00:01:38 Those guys can do damage. So charges dropped against Barmore. I'm not going to grade an offseason after five hours. And I know a lot of you want me to do that. I know a lot of you want me to lose my mind, move furniture, flip a table over. I'm not going to do that. I am not going to grade an offseason after five hours. It is March 9th.
Starting point is 00:02:04 March 9th, folks. So the overreaction I expected. The overreaction for many is real. If you live on Twitter on a day like this, like I have been doing, you will see a lot of angry and infuriated Patriots fans because they didn't sign the biggest, shiniest toy. I get it. I get some of the frustration.
Starting point is 00:02:29 I get that being patient is tough. Everybody, including myself, has been talking about free. agency the last couple of weeks. You get your hopes up. You start thinking of Alec Pierce and some others, which we'll get into later on. But I'm not going to grade an offseason after five hours. That's not what I do. That's not what I'm going to start doing. Okay, I'm not looking for clicks. I'm not looking for people to clip my reaction of me going crazy. It's still very, very, very early. All right. Now that that has been put to bed, let's talk about the first signing. And it was at edge. And if you've been
Starting point is 00:03:03 watching this podcast, listening to this podcast, that should not be a surprise. Edge is a top need for this football team. I think it's one of the top two or three needs. You can argue about wide receiver. You can argue about offensive line, especially guard. But Edge on defense, clearly the number one defensive need for this football team. And the Patriots, very early on, we got word. Draymont Jones agrees to a three-year deal with the Patriots, Joseph Posterior.
Starting point is 00:03:33 on the money, three years, $36.5 million, including an $11 million signing bonus, $23.1 million guaranteed. The cash flow is $14.5 million and 26, 11 million and 27, 11 million in 208. The base salaries for Draymont Jones and 26 and 27 are fully guaranteed. That's how the contract breaks down. And originally, when this story broke, I said three years for like $39 million, which was the original, that's the up to number. Three years, $39 million seemed a little bit heavy for Draymont Jones to me. I thought he might be around $10, $11 million a year. But then you start looking at other deals at the edge market.
Starting point is 00:04:21 Quitty pay, by the way, just got $32 million guaranteed from Vegas. $32 million for quitty pay. Jalen Phillips got $30 million a year from the Carolina Panthers. Joseph Asai signed a three-year, $36 million deal. I believe that was with the Jets. So you look at this market and you start to realize, you know, Draymont Jones for the money that the Patriots paid, that is a very good and very reasonable deal for the Patriots.
Starting point is 00:04:57 So that's why you wait for some of these other deals to come out before you start losing your mind about how much money you're going to pay a certain guy. I mean, Jalen Phillips, I thought would make 25 a year. He's making $30 million a year. I thought Adafay Oway would make, you know, $20 million a year. He's making $25 million a year. You heard me about Boyet Mafay. I thought Boye Amafay would make $15 to $18 million at the very tippity top. He's making $20 million a year. The edge market is out of control. It's getting a little crazy on these free agency streets, my friends. It's getting a little bit nuts. So the money makes sense.
Starting point is 00:05:32 Draymont Jones is a great fit. He can play inside. He can play outside. That versatility, what you're looking for if you're Mike Vrable and company. Now, the vast majority of his snaps this past season was as a stand-up outside linebacker. Of course, he started at Tennessee. And then he was traded to Baltimore. The Patriots were reportedly involved in those trades.
Starting point is 00:05:54 talks so they've had their eyes on Dremont Jones going back months ago. This is somebody that they have identified, that they like, if not love, that believe can really help their pass rush and will fit into their system. And I remember watching the film of Dremont Jones this year and the film pop. You know, Dremont Jones was one of those names I brought up as maybe that tier below Boy A Mafé where you could sign Boy A Mafay and then you can add a Dremont Jones. Well, I did not know the market was going to be this out of control. And not many people thought it would go this high for some of these players.
Starting point is 00:06:30 So when you take a 30,000 foot view of this, it makes sense where Dremont Jones, you go get him, you like him again. He has that versatility. The film popped when I watched him in both Tennessee and Baltimore this year. And he's athletic. He's okay against tight ends and running backs. If you want to drop him into coverage from time to time, which we know the Patriots like to do with their defensive friends.
Starting point is 00:06:53 And if you look at pro football focus, they had Draymont Jones ranked as the eighth best edge free agent on the market this year. So he's a top 10 guy at the position. It is a very deep position this year. But I like it. I like it a lot. He was very, very productive as a pass rusher in 2025. Doug Kide had him for 24 quarterback hits last season.
Starting point is 00:07:18 And if you're wondering, if you look at the Patriots leaders in quarterback hits just this past year. Harold Landry had 19, which is kind of crazy because Harold Landry, of course, was not the same guy after like week five or six with the injury. But Harold Landry led the team and quarterback hits with 19. Kalamon Chase on was right behind him at 18. Now, Taylor Kyle's has some different numbers than Doug Kide. I would imagine Taylor Kyle's using pro football focus. Maybe Doug Kide was using next-gen stats.
Starting point is 00:07:47 But if you look at Draymont Jones's pass rushing this past season per pro football focus. He had 51 pressures. Boyer-Mafay had over 40 pressures, but I don't think he had as many pressures as Draymont Jones. So 51 pressures. He had eight sacks. And, you know, Taylor Kyle looks at the hits, and he has him as 15. Again, Doug Kite had 24. Taylor Kiles has has 15. 13 hits on true pass sets, which was tied for second among edges. year. So he is a productive pass rusher. You filled a need. Now, you're not done. I don't think you're done. You have to continue to add at edge. Getting one edge is not enough. We've talked about it. Whether you're going to sign another edge or you're going to go out there and draft a couple of
Starting point is 00:08:41 edges when you get to April. I mean, you look at this and you say to yourself, that's a good first step. Draymont Jones is a good first step as a pass rusher. A productive guy, a versatile guy, he's going to fit your system. Now there's a question. He's 29 years old. I will say his birthday was just in January. So for the entire season, he'll be 29. The two years, the base salary, the first two years of this contract are guaranteed.
Starting point is 00:09:10 So the Patriots in essence are paying him for his age 29 and 30 season. Not bad. But you need more. You need more at edge. And I would imagine the Patriots will add more. I don't think this is Draymont Jones and then we're done. I would imagine they will add more to that position. All right.
Starting point is 00:09:30 The Pat's run game should be much better in 2026 after one agreement was reached today. That and much more. We got a whole lot for you coming up next. This is Lockdown Patriots, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. It's tax time. But for a lot of us, the old way of doing taxes is, well, it's a lot. Trying to book an appointment that's not the most convenient sitting in a waiting room
Starting point is 00:09:56 with a stack of papers, emailing back and forth and wondering if they really get your situation. But this year, you're getting a major upgrade. Intuit TurboTax Now has in-person locations nationwide. You can meet face-to-face with a real tax expert and your documents get uploaded straight to your TurboTax app on the spot. And just like that, you're done. Your TurboTax expert, works to get you every dollar you deserve while you get real-time notifications as you go about your day. It's the relief of walking in and meeting a real actual person and walking out, knowing your taxes are being handled right. Head to turbotax.com slash local. Again, that website is turbotax.com slash local to find a store near you and book your appointment. Free agency is here,
Starting point is 00:10:53 and so are we. Get one month free of the everydayer. with Code Free Agency, no spaces now through March 15th. Go ad free and keep this conversation going on Discord. You can join the club at lockdown patriots.supercast.com or check the link in the show notes to learn even more. Also, don't forget, as you watch us, live stream, reacting to free agency, click that thumbs up. Give us a like. It helps us with the algorithm. Throw a comment in.
Starting point is 00:11:17 I'm going to get to some comments in just a minute. And don't forget to subscribe. Our next goal is 2,000 subscribers. I appreciate every single one of you who continue to support this podcast, support the program. By the way, former Patriots tackle Jermaine Illuminaur signing with the Giants. So he stays in New York three years, $39 million deal. $26 million of that is guaranteed. That's according to Jordan Schultz.
Starting point is 00:11:47 All right, so let's get to a couple of comments before I move on with another agreement for the Patriots. I think this will give you a good idea of the Twitter world right now. Steve, go shoot. We signed a seven sack three year, $40 million. That's a joke. Great move at 29. Stop it. In fullback, we lost the Super Bowl.
Starting point is 00:12:07 The two signings are not helping us get better where we need it. False. It's not a DAOA. It's not Jalen Phillips. I get it. But you needed pass rush. You needed an edge. You needed multiple edges.
Starting point is 00:12:24 So signing an edge helps you. I know it's not what you wanted, Steve. I know it wasn't sexy enough for you, but it helps the football team. It helps the football team. And I will get to the fullback at a minute because I think you are dead wrong about not helping the football team.
Starting point is 00:12:42 I think you're upset, Steve, that they did not get Alec Pierce. They did not bring in the sexy name, so now you're frustrated, but football moves or football moves. and they've made two moves today so far, two signings, that are going to help this football team. And again, it's March 9th.
Starting point is 00:13:02 Joe Tapia jumps in. Two things can be true. Not falling into today's trap was good, but now you have to get very creative to get guys in here. We'll see. Again, there's a lot of people that are still available. There are a number of guys, I'm sure, that will be out there via trade,
Starting point is 00:13:19 which we'll get to a little bit later. There are some names surfacing out there. So, yeah, I mean, look, I don't think the Patriots are done. I don't think the Patriots are done. And I know some people get annoyed or frustrated because I don't go absolutely crazy and say, this is an absolute fail when it's quarter past five on March 9th. And free agency literally started five hours and 13 minutes ago. But that's what I do.
Starting point is 00:13:47 I'm not going to lose my mind. Just not. It's really early. The Bruce Connection. Can we talk about the amazing fullback signing? L.O.L. Yeah. We will talk. We will talk about that fullback signing right now. Appreciate all of your comments.
Starting point is 00:14:02 The Patriots signed fullback. Reggie Gilliam from the Buffalo Bills. Three-year deal, $12 million, $6 million, fully guaranteed. As far as a fullback goes, this is a great signing. And again, I know. Fullback is not Alec Pierce. It's not A.J. Brown. Yes, I would be getting more eyeballs on this podcast
Starting point is 00:14:23 that the Patriots signed Alec Pierce. I know that, you know that. Everybody knows that. But let's look at the signings that they made. And let's talk about how they will help the football team instead of sitting here in misery. I will get to some of the other stuff in the next segment that has not been done that I'm sure many of you are not happy about.
Starting point is 00:14:44 Reggie Gilliam is a legitimate fullback, and he is going to significantly help the run game. And I know people, again, Alec Pierce, Alec Pierce, A.J. Brown, I get it. Wide receiver. We will talk about wide receiver a lot over the next few days. I'm sure of it. But there are different ways that you help your quarterback. There are different ways to help your, you know, run game and your offense. and bringing in somebody like Reggie Gilliam, it's not sexy, but it's going to be very, very effective. And the people that are crying about the Reggie Gilliam signing today will be the same people who are jumping off their couch when he earholes a linebacker and opens up a hole for Trayne Henderson or Ramadre Stevenson to take it to the house. Same people. So I get it. It's not sexy, but it's going to be effective.
Starting point is 00:15:39 he is going to help the run game. He is going to help you in the red zone. Remember short yardage? Remember running in between the tackles with Trayvionn Henderson? Remember what we talked about all year long that they did not have a consistent run game and that Jack Westover was up and down like a roller coaster all year long because you were shoehorning them in as a fullback?
Starting point is 00:16:05 Yeah, I remember. If you don't think Reggie Gilliam, who was a top two fullback in this free agency market, if you don't think he's going to help the run game, I don't know what to tell you. And if you don't think the run game is going to help Drake May, if you can actually run the football consistently, I don't know what to tell you.
Starting point is 00:16:25 And if you don't think that the offense is going to improve when your red zone offense is better because you can run the football, I don't know what to tell you. And Reggie Gilliam also helps in pass protection. Pro Football Focus wrote this about Gilliam. Gilliam led all fullbacks in pro football focus run blocking grade at 73.5, and he did not allow any pressures on 24 past blocking snaps.
Starting point is 00:16:54 Josh McDaniels loves running the football. Mike Rable loves running the football. I talked about it all year long. You can't be one dimensional. You've got to find different ways to punch defenses in the mouth. And Evan Lizarre posted the page. Patriots used 21 personnel on more than 15% of their snaps, which was the fourth highest rate in the NFL.
Starting point is 00:17:17 But when you look at what they did in 21 personnel, they netted a negative EPA per play out of that primary fullback grouping at minus 0.02. They couldn't run the ball consistently with a fullback on the field. It's why you had Kyrie's Tonga in the red zone trying to play fullback. Again, it's why you had Kairi's Tonga in the red zone trying to play fullback. it's why you had Jack Westover trying to play fullback when it was obvious that that's not what he should be doing. So yes, I do think Reggie Gilliam is going to help you as a football team.
Starting point is 00:17:52 I do think this offense is better with Reggie Gilliam than without Reggie Gilliam. And I'm not telling you he's an alpha wide receiver. Some other news, Patriots released Jalani Tavai. He wasn't really the best fit for this Mike Frable defense. I think the Patriots want to eventually get younger. I think they want to get more athletic and bring more speed to the second level. Linebacker to me is a need. It's not an urgent need.
Starting point is 00:18:18 I think you can survive with Roberts Blaine, Christian Ellis, you bring back Jack Gibbons, you draft a young linebacker. I think you can survive. But I would like to see them get younger. I would like to see them get a little bit more athletic. Karees Tonga, we knew this was coming. This was pretty much reported by the Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan and Doug Kide going back to the combine.
Starting point is 00:18:41 Karees Tonga was close to a contract extension with the Patriots before the playoffs. And then when they went back to have conversations at the Combine, the Patriots found out that Tonga's market had grown. And he ends up with a three-year, $21 million deal with Kansas City, $14 million guaranteed. I thought Kyrie's Tonga was really, really good before the injury. Post-injury, he was not the same guy. and I would look at interior defensive line as a need.
Starting point is 00:19:10 You need that third interior defensive lineman. Now, maybe you can play some games with Draymond Jones, but I mentioned David Anyamata on the defensive offseason plan. David Anyamata signed with the Jets one year, about $9 million, $10 million. So you need some interior defensive line help. Baderian Lowe. Vadarian Lowe no longer a patriot.
Starting point is 00:19:33 It is kind of delicious to see all the people that were yelling about Vadarian Lowe in 2024, upset now because the Patriots did not resign him in 2025. Vadarian Lowe, two years, $12 million with San Francisco. That was actually the exact deal that I had pinpointed for Vodarian Lowe. My offseason plan, I had two years $12 million. I think it's fair value for Lowe. I think the Patriots will likely target a swing tackle.
Starting point is 00:19:58 The one thing about Lowe is he doesn't play right tackle. He's not comfortable playing on the right side. So I think you'll see the Patriots airmark that money towards a tackle that can actually play right tackle and left tackle, whether it's free agency, the draft. We know that Jedrick Wills visited the Patriots. Recently, Jeddrick Wills is a guy that can play both sides of the line. So we'll keep an eye on that. Austin Hooper goes to Atlanta. Tight end.
Starting point is 00:20:26 Another need for the Patriots. Isaiah likely ends up with the Giants. Kda and my guy stays with Tampa Bay. Mike Evans left Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay used some of that money on KD. Charlie Kohler signs with the charger. So I think if you're looking at tight end, the Patriots need to sign and draft the tight end. I think that's what they got to do. And one other note for the Pats, the Patriots hired Florida assistant offensive line coach Jonathan DeCoster.
Starting point is 00:20:56 And that's an interesting hire because, A, it looks like the Patriots are going to stick with their three offensive line coaches. and how they, you know, approach last season, which I absolutely love and agree with. I think that's smart business. And B, it's interesting because DeCoster actually has a link with Joel Betonio. DeCoster coached at Nevada while Betonio was there. And then he also coached in Cleveland when Betonio obviously was there. All right. Coming up, Alec Pierce is not coming to New England as the chase for a wide receiver
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Starting point is 00:23:06 Before I get to some more thoughts, especially Alec Pierce not being a patriot, hit a couple of comments. 3D pool tile 829. What about a veteran left guard? Yes, I still think the Patriots are going to be signing a veteran left guard. I don't know who that's going to be, but I would be surprised if they do not address the interior offensive line
Starting point is 00:23:26 within the next few days. I would be very, very surprised about that if that were to happen. John Hackinson will be interesting to see how the AJ Brown stuff develops as we get closer to the draft. I can't see the Patriots spending multiple high picks. the 31st, sure, but they want to draft and develop. My feeling, John, on that from what I saw recently, I think what happened here, and this is just a theory,
Starting point is 00:23:50 I think the Patriots offered their first round pick in this year's draft, and I think they offered that pick and wanted a sweetener from Philly, like, hey, we'll give you the first round pick and another pick if we get A.J. Brown and a pick from you, and my guess is the Eagles were not thrilled with that offer and came back and put, you know, asked the Patriots for their first round pick in next year's draft, which to me, it doesn't make sense. So I think that's what happened and they're kind of just staring at each other still. Trevor Clark, you're 100% right about the fullback signing.
Starting point is 00:24:24 Thank you, Trevor. I appreciate you, my man. All right, lots of rumors, lots of money out there. The market absolutely bananas. Alec Pierce, we spent some time talking about Alec Pierce on this podcast. Patriots fans have heard a lot about Alec Pierce over the past. couple of weeks. Alec Pierce ended up staying in Indianapolis.
Starting point is 00:24:41 Now, reportedly, the commanders, the Patriots, offered big time money to Pierce, but Pierce decided to stay. You got a four-year, $116 million contract. That is $29 million a year. Alec Pierce got $60 million guaranteed, which makes him the fifth highest paid wide receiver in football in guaranteed money. I mean, I can't fault the pads. I would have loved Alec Pierce, but I can't fault the Patriots.
Starting point is 00:25:10 Pierce got paid, $60 million guaranteed. Again, that's number five and guaranteed money at that position, the entire NFL. He got paid that and stayed in Indy. Again, the Patriots reportedly offered big money. What were the details? I don't necessarily know. But Alec Pierce stays. And this deal felt like it was done well beforehand because he was on the Pat
Starting point is 00:25:36 McAfee show within like two minutes, which tells me that interview has to get lined up. And so I think, you know, when you look at what's going on here with some of these deals, I would have to imagine Alec Pierce's deal was done well before today at noon. Just a guess. Mike Evans goes to San Francisco. Andrew Callahan, you know, wrote about it that said the Patriots were not in on Mike Evans. So he goes to San Francisco. Jalen Naylor, an interesting name.
Starting point is 00:26:09 He ends up going to the Raiders. Reportedly the Patriots were interested in Jalen Naylor. Former Vikings wide receiver stuck behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. So, you know, Jalen Naylor ends up going to the Raiders. Michael Pittman, because of Alec Pierce staying in Indy, Michael Pittman was dealt to Pittsburgh, and he signed a three-year $59 million contract, extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The trade late round pick swap.
Starting point is 00:26:39 So then, you know, Pittsburgh didn't have to give up much. And Pittman goes to Pittsburgh and gets that contract extension. And now you're left asking, what are the Patriots going to do? And I have no idea. Romeo Dobbs is still out there. I mentioned that Dobbs was fourth on my list. I would not be surprised if Romeo Dobbs is at least having conversations with the Patriots. You can look at the trade market.
Starting point is 00:27:08 You can go back to Philly for A.J. Brown and talk to them about Brown. You can also look at Brian Thomas Jr. Reportedly, Connor Hughes from SNY is reporting that the Jacksonville Jaguars are talking to teams about Brian Thomas Jr. Brian Thomas Jr. is available. That's according to Connor Hughes. Now, if Brian Thomas Jr. is available, we talked about this in prior podcasts. If BTJ is available, it's going to cost you a lot. But if your homework is done on BTJ and you feel comfortable about him checking out character-wise,
Starting point is 00:27:45 then you make that deal. You make that deal. BTJ is more talented than any receiver that is in this year's draft class. He had a tremendous rookie year. Yes, he had a down year last season, but I'm still betting on him. He's 23 years old. So maybe it's Brian Thomas Jr. He was the second guy, right?
Starting point is 00:28:06 He was second on my rankings when we did the wide receiver rankings episode. Number one was Pierce because he was only going to cost you money. Number two was BTJ. Number three was A.J. Brown. Number four was Romeo Dobbs. Pierce gone. Those other three guys could be available. So again, it's March 9th.
Starting point is 00:28:24 We'll see what happens. Maybe it's A.J. Brown. Maybe it's B.T.J. Maybe it's somebody else. The Patriots need to address receiver. They need an alpha. And if they don't get it, if we're sitting during the time of camp, and they don't have a legitimate alpha-wide receiver, it is a fail.
Starting point is 00:28:46 So if these guys are available, you get the deal done. Because you need that for Drake May. Tyler Linderbaum got $27 million a year. $27 million a year. year to play center from the Raiders. Creed Humphrey, if you're wondering, is going to make 18 million a year. That's the second highest paid center in football, 18 million a year. Linderbaum gets $9 million per season. I told you the money getting crazy on these free agency streets. Tyler Linderbaum gets 60 million guaranteed. And now you wonder, how does that impact the interior
Starting point is 00:29:28 offensive line market. I still think, as I said, a little while ago, the Patriots need a left guard. They need interior line help. They traded Garrett Bradbury. I imagine Jared Wilson is moving the center, his natural position to compete against Ben Brown. And the Patriots need a left guard.
Starting point is 00:29:46 Joe Betonio is still out there. Elton Jenkins just got released by the Packers. There are still interior offensive linemen out there. So again, there's lots of time. You get the draft. This is the first five and a half hours of free agency. and we'll see how the Patriots pivot, what they do to adjust. All right, that wraps up this edition of Lockdown Patriots.
Starting point is 00:30:06 Thank you for making us your first listen and for being an everydayer. Reach out to me on Twitter at Nick C. Radio. And don't forget to throw a comment in on the YouTube channel. Hit that thumbs up for us and subscribe. Also get one month free of the Everydayer Club with Code Free Agency. No spaces now through March 15th. Join the club at Lockdownpatriots.com. Have a great day of something break.
Starting point is 00:30:28 We'll be back later. Till then, be well.

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