Under-the-radar free agents who could help in 2024

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Patriots Mailbag: Under-the-radar free agents who could help in 2024 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Bailey Zappe and the New England Patriots are off to Buffalo as they look to sweep the season series vs. the Bills. They’ll look to play spoiler, as a win would prevent Buffalo from clinching a postseason berth in Week 17.

Before we turn the page to Sunday’s matchup, let’s jump into this week’s mailbag.

is there a sleeper FA that you think they will get that won’t seem like a big deal at the time but could have a significant impact in 2024?

— Mark Tessicini (@mark_tessicini) December 27, 2023

Like this question, Mark. I’ll give you a few names, keeping the Patriots in mind.

Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler remains rock-solid as he approaches his mid-30s, and in a league where durable (on pace for 1,000 snaps in eight of his last nine seasons) and competent offensive linemen are lacking, he could help solidify things for an ailing protection unit. Rams guard Kevin Dotson would be a nice fit for New England gap schemes and deserves a mention here, too.

Commanders safety Kam Curl isn’t a big name. He was a seventh-round pick. He plays in Washington. But he has the kind of versatility that the Patriots would covet, able to play both safety spots and in the slot.

His teammate Kendall Fuller is a versatile secondary option as well — he can play both inside and out — and should help fill out a starting defensive backfield somewhere as a free agent this offseason.

One more underrated position group to hit would be defensive tackle. Baltimore’s Justin Madubuike isn’t the space-eater the Patriots usually like inside, but he’s been a sack-production machine in 2023 with 12 to go along with a whopping 31 hits. He may get more money than folks are expecting since he’s not exactly a household name.

Cincinnati’s D.J. Reader is a bigger body who has dealt with injury, but he’s a veteran who’s consistently effective when on the field.

I’ve seen Baker Mayfield’s name thrown…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-mailbag-under-radar-free-205509554.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2023-12-28 21:56:20

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