Sunday was a big day for deals with the Eagles being extremely active on the market. Here's a run down of the Patriots.
Darrelle Revis
Not sure it's news at this point, but Darrelle Revis is down to #Patriots or #Jets. Water is wet. Fire is hot.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 8, 2015
Odds are pointing towards Revis really staying in New England. The Chargers, Eagles, and Texans jumped at the chance to reach deals with the top cornerbacks on the market. What does this say? No one really thinks Revis is going to be available.
Every leak regarding Revis has come from the New York Jets camp, whether it's from their ownership or their beat writers. Their interest is obvious: either the Jets land the best cornerback in the league, or they raise the price tag for a division rival. No one really thinks Revis leaving is likely at this point.
Devin McCourty
After 30 hours of tampering, it seems a very good bet Pats will retain either Revis or McCourty and a pretty good bet they keep both.
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) March 8, 2015
#Titans have reached out to #Patriots safety Devin McCourty, but so have a lot of other teams. Eagles and Giants reportedly interested too
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 8, 2015
Hearing the #Eagles are still "all-in" on McCourty even after backing up the truck for Byron Maxwell.
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardo975) March 8, 2015
Re McCourty, multiple sources indicate the #Eagles have made a strong push to be in position to sign him. Considering fallback options, too.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) March 8, 2015
It's not clear if McCourty has a front-runner yet. Other options for the #Eagles to consider: Rahim Moore, Ron Parker.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) March 8, 2015
Tom Curran is the most tapped into this situation from a Patriots standpoint and he's been the voice of reason all off-season. We'll have to stick with him on this one as it appears the news leaking from Eagles camp has been slightly tempered after signing Byron Maxwell.
This is the first we're hearing of the Eagles "considering fallback options," which is a good sign for the Patriots. If there's no clear front-runner, then it's probably the Patriots. No one is going to leak from New England's side which means they feel like they're playing with the winning hand.
Also, the Titans are interested, but they also have Devin's twin Jason McCourty, so they're basically legally required to look into Devin, even if there's zero chance of anything happening.
Wide Receivers!
League source: #Patriots will be in the wide receiver market later in the week. Mid-level guys. Not Maclin or Torrey Smith.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 8, 2015
Cecil Shorts, Hartline, the names I've heard for #Patriots WR.. Eddie Royal, Harvin also possible.
— Mike Loyko (@NEPD_Loyko) March 8, 2015
Sorry folks, Jeremy Maclin and his expected $10 million price tag ain't comin' to New England. Torrey Smith is a likely target in San Francisco, which means the Ravens are going to be weaker on offense next season.
Instead, focus on another Brandon LaFell-level wide receiver joining the Patriots later in the week once the market slows. Loyko notes that the Patriots have shown a lot of interest in Shorts in the past, while Hartline has stated a will to take less money to join Tom Brady in New England.
These are all players who would replace and improve upon Danny Amendola's spot in the starting line-up, and likely for cheaper money. A player like Cecil Shorts III or Brian Hartline could move Julian Edelman into the slot and provide speedy outside receivers that New England wants. A player like Royal would be used in the slot as a direct replacement for Amendola, while Percy Harvin would keep LaFell outside, while bumping Julian Edelman into the slot.
There's a lot of reason to be excited about the prospects of adding either size or speed to the offense, and in a manner that would free up cap space.