The New England Patriots are coming into the offseason after winning the Super Bowl and the top free agents for the team include Darrelle Revis, Devin McCourty, Shane Vereen, Stephen Gostkowski and Stevan Ridley and this comes as the team may target CJ Spiller, Mark Ingram or Ryan Mathews in free agency, while Percy Harvin could be a target if he is released by the Jets.
The Patriots have Revis as their most pressing concern, as he has a $20 million option and the team likely wants to work out a long term deal. Revis could leave as a free agent if the team declines the option, but all signs point to him staying. Vereen and Ridley are free agents and there is a good chance Ridley goes after he missed most of the season with an injury. McCourty is likely to stay, but he could get attention on the market, while the team will also work to keep Gostkowski, one of the best kickers in football.
The Patriots offseason will be framed around what they do with Revis, as the money they spend on him could tie things up in other areas. Revis reportedly wants to stay with the Patriots and the Boston Globe reports that there is a chance he could come in on a "team friendly" deal. Revis got paid last season to the extent he wanted and while he would like to stay in that range of compensation, he also wants to stay in New England and could work with the team to get it done.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Patriots could be an option for Percy Harvin if he is released by the Jets this offseason. The Patriots need a legitimate deep threat and with Danny Amendola likely getting cut, Harvin could step up into that role. The Jets may look at letting Harvin go if he doesn't take a pay cut, as he has draft compensation attached to him after his trade from the Seahawks. Harvin is getting paid over $10 million and the Jets may look at cutting him to save money and to give up a sixth round pick over a fourth round pick to Seattle.
Revis and the Pats likely will try and work out a deal before March 12, as he is set to get a $12 million roster bonus. The team also could look at restructuring his contract instead of declining the option and then working out a new deal. Revis had a strong season with the Patriots and won his first Super Bowl this year. The running back position will be interesting to watch, as the team has James White after drafting him last season and he could step up for Vereen if they let him go.
The Patriots like LeGarrette Blount and could feature him in a bigger role if Vereen and Ridley leave. The free agent market has some solid options as well, with CJ Spiller, Mark Ingram and Ryan Mathews available. Vereen is a fantastic pass catcher out of the back field and he led the team with 11 receptions in the Super Bowl. The Patriots would need to replace that if he leaves, as Vereen had a solid 52 catches for 447 yards last season. The Boston Herald reports that Vereen wants $5 million per season and that could be too much for the Patriot to afford.
