The New England Patriots are armed with among the most resources of any team across the league this offseason.
Not only will the Patriots be selecting No. 4 overall in this spring’s NFL Draft, but New England boasts a league-high $111.9 million in effective cap space ahead of free agency getting underway next month.
With a plethora of holes to fill, but in a very winnable AFC East division, the Patriots have the ability to be big players at the top of the free agent market to address their biggest needs.
Could the New England Patriots Sign D.J. Reed?
One area where the Patriots are going to need to improve dramatically in the coming months, is in the secondary.
Fortunately for New England, one of the most aggressive cornerbacks in the league is about to hit free agency and could be an ideal fit for the Patriots.
“Coach Mike Vrabel would be adding a veteran corner in D.J. Reed,” Bill Barnwell writes, listing the Jets’ star as an ideal fit in New England. “Giving the Patriots another scheme-versatile defender in the secondary opposite Christian Gonzalez. Reed is a highly competitive coverage corner with press-man traits and the transition speed to break on the throw. But he is more of a ball disruptor than playmaker, having 40 pass breakups compared with six interceptions in his career.”
Last season, Reed posted 64 total tackles with one sack while breaking up seven passes, and could significantly benefit from a change of scenery.
Reed, at age 28, could be an ideal complement opposite Christian Gonzalez in the Patriots’ secondary and the kind of veteran presence New England can instill a new attitude on defense around.
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