PATRIOTS FREE AGENTS: Carl Davis, Daniel Ekuale.
NOTABLE EXTERNAL FREE AGENTS: Dalvin Tomlinson (MIN), Fletcher Cox (PHI), Javon Hargrave (PHI), Michael Brockers (DET), A’Shawn Robinson (LAR).
The Patriots welcome back the majority of their defensive line unit, with Carl Davis (21 percent defensive snaps, 29 percent special teams snaps) and Daniel Ekuale (36 percent defensive snaps) set to be the only free agents in the group.
Ekuale saw a rise in action when Christian Barmore went on Injured Reserve, while Davis completed his second season as an effective nose tackle and rotational interior player. The duo represents the spectrum of defensive linemen that the Patriots like to employ, meaning they could consider both a big-bodied interior space eater like Davis or an upfield penetrator like Ekuale in either free agency or the draft.
Though both players could be candidates to return as well, and with a class especially stacked with nose tackle-types, an addition via the draft could make for better value than the external market.
Davon Godchaux signed a contract extension last season, while Lawrence Guy continues to provide high-level versatile play. Barmore’s 2022 was hampered by injury, but this trio should again form the primary core for 2023 and it’s a good place to start from.
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