Tracking all of the Patriots transactions during the free agent signing period.
ARRIVALS
S Adrian Colbert - Read Press Release | Bio
RB Tyler Gaffney - Read Press Release | Bio
LS Wes Farnsworth - Read Press Release | Bio
OL Alex Redmond - Read Press Release | Bio
LB Harvey Langi - Read Press Release | Bio
Analysis: "Langi's experience with the Jets and versatility will benefit him, especially given his previous stint in New England which should help him jump right back into things." - Mike Dussault
LB LaRoy Reynolds - Read Press Release | Bio
Analysis: "The 31-year old has spent time with five different teams as a core special teamer, with recent stops in Cincinnati in 2019 and last season with the Falcons. Unlike most of the other free agent signings, Reynolds is over 30 and should provide depth, potentially replacing the special teams contributions of Brandon Copeland." - Mike Dussault
LB Raekwon McMillan - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio
Analysis: "A hard-hitting inside linebacker, McMillan could provide a presence similar to former Patriot Elandon Roberts, but most directly might find his way onto the roster because of his special teams play, potentially replacing someone like Brandon Copeland, who reportedly signed with the Falcons on Friday." - Mike Dussault
DL Montravius Adams - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio
Analysis: "Adams fits the Patriots mold for their interior defensive linemen, but his ability to two-gap, a negative in his scouting profile, will determine his chances of making a roster push this summer." - Mike Dussault
LB Kyle Van Noy - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio | Interview
Analysis: "Van Noy will provide an immediate boost to a linebacker corps that was depleted in 2020. His three-down presence will be a welcome one, as Van Noy is an athletic off-the-ball player and he's well versed within the Patriots system. Combined with the reported signing of Matt Judon and the Patriots have significantly upgraded their linebacking corps with two players who can do it all." - Mike Dussault
C Ted Karras - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio | Interview
Analysis: "Karras should give the Patriots a solid veteran option in replacing Andrews if it comes to that, at least for the time being. With a strong draft class at the center position, the team could also look to strike next month as they continue to add at the position." - Mike Dussault
TE Hunter Henry - Read Press Release | Analysis | Interview | Bio
Analysis: "The team reportedly already added tight end Jonnu Smith, who should pair with Henry to give New England the kind of two-tight-end offense that it has lacked for a decade. Henry and Smith were arguably the top two tight ends on the market and now Bill Belichick has both of them as he continues to remake his team after missing the playoffs." - Mike Dussault
DL Henry Anderson - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio | Interview
Analysis: "The big defensive lineman is a good fit for the Patriots' defensive scheme, where he will undoubtedly be moved around the line to exploit favorable matchups. His size and length are considerable assets and Anderson has experience doing the dirty work in the trenches." - Mike Dussault
WR Kendrick Bourne - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio | Interview
Analysis: "The four-year veteran is coming off a career-high 49 catches for 669 yards and two touchdowns after emerging as an undrafted rookie and sustaining his roster spot with San Francisco. Bourne will turn 26 this summer and is the youngest of the Patriots reported signings to open free agency." - Mike Dussault
WR Nelson Agholor - Read Press Release | Analysis | Interview | Bio
Analysis: "The Patriots continued their torrid start to the free agency tampering period with the addition of receiver Nelson Agholor. The consistent receiver had a productive season in Las Vegas, posting 48 catches and tying a career-high with eight touchdowns." - Mike Dussault
LB Matt Judon - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio | Interview
Analysis: "The five-year veteran is a well-balanced outside linebacker who gives New England reinforcements at a position that currently has a wide gap between youth and experience. Still just 28, Judon has 34.5 sacks since being selected in the fifth round of the 2016 draft and should provide the Patriots with a valuable second-level defender who can play every down." - Mike Dussault
DB Jalen Mills - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio | Interview
Analysis: "Mills is a versatile young cornerback who spent five seasons in Philadelphia, including winning a Super Bowl in 2017 with the Eagles. He played a fair amount of safety in 2020 as he projects to a fluid role within the Patriots defense. Coaches often describe the Patriots secondary as all being on the same page and Mills should give them some new options to play with." - Mike Dussault
DT Davon Godchaux - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio
Analysis: "The four-year veteran played two seasons under Brian Flores so he should have some familiarity with the Patriots scheme. Godchaux has good size to be an interior space-eater as he did in a nose tackle role with the Dolphins, though he played only five games in 2020 after sustaining a biceps injury." - Mike Dussault
TE Jonnu Smith - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio
Analysis: "A four-year veteran, the 25-year old has improved every season, capping off 2020 with 41 catches and eight touchdowns. After two years of not having any threat at the tight end position, this is a strong move by the Patriots to solidify the spot, especially since Smith is a proven red-zone target." - Mike Dussault
OT Trent Brown - Acquired via trade with Raiders | Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio
Analysis: "Still just 27, Brown locked down the left tackle spot in 2018, playing every game and helping to lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl title with a dominant rushing attack that the monstrous Brown was a big part of. Brown's return helps solidify the position that had some questions this offseason, whether he returns to the left side or sticks to the right, where he played upon signing with the Raiders." - Mike Dussault
RETURNING
OL James Ferentz - Read Press Release | Bio
QB Brian Hoyer - Read Press Release | Bio
DB J.C. Jackson - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio
Analysis: "Jackson's ball-hawking skills in the secondary are a welcome return. He finished second in the NFL with nine interceptions last season and will reportedly make $3.384 million for this year, then hit unrestricted free agency in 2022." - Mike Dussault
FB Jakob Johnson - Read Press Release | Bio
DL Lawrence Guy - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio
Analysis: "The just-turned-31-year old is still at the top of his game and can do it all for the Patriots defensive front." - Mike Dussault
RB James White - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio
Analysis: "Still only 29, the three-time captain should be primed for a bounce-back season. His return was a welcome one." - Mike Dussault
C David Andrews - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio
Analysis: "Andrews' value to the Patriots on and off the field is tough to understate. Since making the team in 2016 as an undrafted rookie out of Georgia, Andrews has been a key ingredient for the Patriots' offense." - Mike Dussault
K Nick Folk - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio
Analysis: "Folk joins two other kickers on the roster -- 2020 fifth-round pick Justin Rohrwasser and veteran Robert Aguayo, a former second-round draft pick of the Buccaneers. Could the team bring three kickers to camp? It should make for an intriguing competition." - Mike Dussault
DB Cody Davis - Read Press Release | Bio
DL Carl Davis - Read Press Release | Bio
DL Deatrich Wise Jr. - Read Press Release | Analysis | Bio
Analysis: "A jovial locker room presence, Wise's big grin and long strides are hard to miss. His return will be a welcome one, off the field as much as on it." - Mike Dussault
Analysis: "A solid move for a team that values special teams like nobody else in the NFL and gives them some long-term stability behind veteran captain Matthew Slater." - Mike Dussault
QB Cam Newton - Official | Read Full Report | Bio
Analysis: "With a full season under his belt and now a full offseason on tap for this spring and summer, Newton should finally have a chance to get caught up and fully prepare for the 2021 season. Whether or not that helps him recapture some of his early-career magic will be a hot storyline to monitor heading into this summer's training camp." - Mike Dussault
DEPARTURES
RB Rex Burkhead - Reportedly signed with Houston Texans.
WR Damiere Byrd - Signed with the Chicago Bears
CB Jason McCourty - Signed with the Dolphins
WR Julian Edelman - Retired | Press Release | Analysis
OL Dustin Woodard - Released by Patriots | Press Release
DL Michael Barnett - Released by Patriots | Press Release
OL Ross Reynolds - Released by Patriots | Press Release
LB Cassh Maluia - Released by Patriots | Press Release
LB Michael Pinckney - Released by Patriots | Press Release
K Justin Rohrwasser - Released by Patriots | Press Release
WR Donte Moncrief - Officially signed with Houston Texans
LB Brandon Copeland - Officially signed with Atlanta Falcons
TE Ryan Izzo - Traded to Houston Texans | Press Release | Analysis
S Patrick Chung - Retired | Read Press Release | Analysis
DL Beau Allen - Released by Patriots | Press Release
WR Marqise Lee - Released by Patriots | Press Release
DL Adam Butler - Officially signed with Miami Dolphins
OL Joe Thuney - Officially signed with Kansas City Chiefs
S Terrence Brooks - Officially signed with Houston Texans
OT Marcus Cannon - Traded to the Houston Texans | Press Release | Analysis
Analysis: "Cannon, 32, opted out of the 2020 season and is set to enter the final year of his contract. The move would allow the Patriots to create a little more than $7 million in cap space, and his spot on the 2021 roster was not guaranteed following the Trent Brown trade earlier in the week." - Paul Perillo
UNSIGNED PATRIOTS FREE AGENTS
- LB Shilique Calhoun
- OL Jermaine Eluemunor
- DE John Simon
