Last weekend, the Patriots obtained nearly $ 7 million in ceiling space thanks to the settlement of compensation grievances with Aaron Hernandez ($ 2.55 million) and Antonio Brown ($ 4 million).
This means that the Patriots now have nearly $ 8 million in salary cap space, which is quite different from what it was two weeks ago, when the organization had less than $ 1 million to work.
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While the Patriots need almost $ 8 million in salary cap space just to do business during the season, it’s worth taking a look at the free agents who are always available to them. Patriots if they wanted to add one or two players. before training camp.
Here are five players still available who might make sense for New England.
BY Jadeveon Clowney – After Cam Newton has signed a veteran minimum contract to join the Patriots, everyone wants Clowney to do the same. But that doesn’t seem likely. The defensive end waited to sign with Seattle until the middle of training camp last year and still grossed $ 16 million and is likely hoping it will happen again. Clowney doesn’t seem like an adjustment, especially since the team should create more space for the caps, regardless of the type of agreement he signed.
DT Damon Harrison – Harrison, who is nicknamed “Snacks”, has missed only one game since his rookie season and would be perfect for any team looking for a defensive tackle. Given his time with the Lions and Matt Patricia, he might be a good choice for the Patriots given their similarities in the scheme. The Patriots could also use another body at the front.
DT Timmy Jernigan – Jernigan is another defensive lineman who could help the Patriots by adding more depth to the front. The 27-year-old appears to be a good candidate considering his ability to line up indoors as a defensive tackle, but also to kick outside and play defensive. Since he earned less than $ 2 million last year, he wouldn’t crush the team from a financial point of view.
TE Jordan Reed – The tight race did not play at all last season after having suffered its seventh documented in preseason. While there are a number of questions surrounding the 30-year-old from an injury perspective, given what the tight piece of the Patriots looks like, it can be worth it. Reed is also not going to require a big contract, so money won’t be a problem.
K Ryan Succop – The Patriots have only rookie Justin Rohrwasser on the list as a kicker, so it may be a good idea to add a veteran to the head of training camp. The 33-year-old has just been injured, but looks healthy and ready to go. He seems like a good guy to have in case Rohrwasser doesn’t work.
Related: 5 priorities for the Patriots 2020 training camp
