Free agent focus - one of the deepest postions is DT

Part 2 in a series on free agency. Today's focus is defensive tackle.

With Christian Barmore emerging as one of the better defensive tackles in football last year, the Patriots should have a foundational piece on the interior for years to come - assuming they can sign him to an extension, for which he is eligible this offseason. 

The third-year pro led the Pats in quarterback pressures, sacks, hits, and hurries and also topped the team with five passes batted down. But it was his improved play versus the run that had me low-key thinking he could be the best player on a defense, much in the way someone else at this position is (see below). 

If Barmore gets taken care of, and if Jerod Mayo/DeMarcus Covington are happy with Davon Godchaux (signed through the upcoming season), there isn't a significant need at the position. Upgrading the third wheel, Lawrence Guy, might be a place to spend some of the free agency money burning a hole in Mayo's pocket. But if the Pats sit down with Barmore's people and don't like the tenor of those conversations - think an asking price north of 20 mil per year - this spot may be more of a need than initially projected. 

That said, if you're not going to pay Barmore, what the hell are you doing? This is a reminder of what then DC Steve Belichick and Mayo said of Barmore late this past season.

"He's been doing that for a while now," said Steve Belichick. "I'm glad that the recognition is more widely spread. Barmore does a great job. He always does. That guy is a bull in a china shop. I love his competitiveness, his attitude, his approach. Happy he's on our team. He's made some big plays for us."

"It's huge,' said Mayo. "Anytime you can make backs stop their feet behind the line of scrimmage, it's always beneficial. If you can get after the quarterback in passing situations, obviously, it helps the coverage. We always talk about marrying up the rush and the coverage. Having a guy like Barmore, especially playing at the level he's playing at right now, is definitely a huge benefit for the success of our defense."

Anywho...

Signed: Barmore, Godchaux ($11.8 mil/$3.5 dead cap*), Guy ($3.5 mil/500K), Daniel Ekuale ($1.68 mil/300K), Sam Roberts ($1 mil/85K).

*if cut pre-June 1

YOU WANNA GET NUTS? LET'S GET NUTS. 

Chris Jones: The Pats don't have enough difference-makers. Jones is that - the best player in the free agent class (assuming the Chiefs let him get there). And they may have to. Yes, KC can still franchise tag him, but it would cost around $33 million. If I were GM Brett Veach, I would figure out a way to get a multi-year deal done that would lessen the cap hit, but Jones was willing to hold out to start this past year and undoubtedly wants more long-term security as he heads to his 30s (he's 29). 

There isn't a better interior pass rusher in the game right now, but Jones is also a force as a 5-technique (outside alignment on the tackle/tight end). His work against the run left something to be desired this year but did nothing to dampen his massive impact on one of the best defensive units in football. 

"I told (Chairman and CEO) Clark Hunt they've got to keep me here so we can keep this thing going," said Jones. "We've got something special brewing here. We have a lot of young guys that continue to get better throughout the year. (Running back Isiah Pacheco) going into his third year, and with guys like that, we can continue to carry this thing, man." 

So it won't happen, but I can't do a list like this without including the big man.

Over the Cap estimates Jones gets four years for $120 million, with $80 guaranteed.

REALISTIC TARGETS

1) Shelby Harris (34 years old) - A rotational piece that provides balance. He's equally adept as a run-and-pass defender. The Browns gave him around 26 snaps per game (similar to Guy's role) and would substitute him for an entire series without worrying too much about a drop-off from the starters. He had 28 QB pressures and an 11% pass-rush win rate. Is he an upgrade from Guy? I think so. 

Over the Cap predicts a $3 mil for one year, with $2 mil guaranteed. 

2) Maurice Hurst (29 years old) - If the Pats want a rotational interior pass rusher on the cheap, Hurst is your guy. When he plays, he's good. His pressure rate was north of 10% this season for the Browns.

"I don't want to say Mo has been a pleasant surprise because he's been a good player in this league," said Browns DC Jim Schwartz this past season. "He had a setback with injuries the last few years and had a hard time getting started in training camp because of some injuries. But now that he's healthy, he's really made good strides."

Injuries are a big part of Hurst's story. He missed all of 2022 with a torn bicep and most of 2021 with a torn calf. This year, he appeared in the first 13 games before suffering another season-ending injury, a torn pectoral muscle. It's been an arduous journey.

"It's just when you get to that moment of almost having the game taken away from you in back-to-back years, I mean, you just really cherish every moment, every rep, every opportunity that you get to get better," Hurst said. "And it just really makes you reevaluate how much it matters to you and how much you truly love the game and appreciate being out there with your teammates. So that was one of the things that I really am back to enjoying and really having a great time with."

Over the cap estimates a one-year, $1.75 million deal ($1 million guaranteed).

3) Raekwon Davis (26 years old) - The Dolphins will be preoccupied trying to get a deal done with Christian Wilkins, who - like Jones - is one of the best free agents that could hit the market. Davis will only be a priority if the Fins get a clear sign from Wilkins' reps that he wants out of South Beach. Davis isn't a PFF darling, but if you talk to people with the Dolphins, they'll tell you he's been a nice piece since being drafted out of Alabama in 2020. He's an excellent run defender, and at 6'7 "and 335 pounds, he had better be. 

"I'm hoping I'll be here," Davis said (per the Miami Herald). "It's my home. It's my family here. Whatever happens, happens." 

Asked if he was excited about the possibility of free agency, Davis wasn't biting. 

"No. I want to be back with my team, this organization. Got no other thoughts on no other teams. I want to be here."

Over the Cap projects two years and $7.5 mil ($4.5 mil guaranteed)

Best of the rest - Quinton Jefferson (Jets), Javon Kinlaw (49ers). Both are pass-rush first guys.