Plenty of players are still available for Patriots

When free agency officially starts on Wednesday at 4 p.m., Trey Flowers will become very, very rich. He’ll also officially become a member of the Detroit Lions.

Flowers was just one of many players to agree to a new deal on Monday and Tuesday during the NFL’s legal tampering period. According to the NFL Network, the defensive end agreed to a massive 5-year, $90-million deal with $56 million in guaranteed money.

The Patriots came into this week knowing Flowers could [...]

When free agency officially starts on Wednesday at 4 p.m., Trey Flowers will become very, very rich. He’ll also officially become a member of the Detroit Lions.

Flowers was just one of many players to agree to a new deal on Monday and Tuesday during the NFL’s legal tampering period. According to the NFL Network, the defensive end agreed to a massive 5-year, $90-million deal with $56 million in guaranteed money.

The Patriots came into this week knowing Flowers could be moving on so they made a trade with the Eagles for defensive end Michael Bennett. Before the draft comes next month, expect the team to make some more moves.

Although several top defensive linemen will be off the board, the Patriots still have plenty of options when it comes to bolstering their defense.

If the Patriots want to a sign a player that won’t cost them a comp pick, Justin Houston is an intriguing option. The 30-year-old had nine sacks last year with the Chiefs, but Kansas City decided to release the four-time Pro Bowler on Sunday because of his $15.2-million contract. Smith was a third-round draft pick in 2011 who ranks fourth in Chiefs history with 78.5 sacks.

The Patriots haven’t shown any interest in Ezekiel Ansah at this point, but he’s intriguing. He was once considered one of the best defensive ends in football, but the 29-year-old played in just seven games last year for Detroit. Would he take a short prove-it deal that the Patriots love? He has been linked to the Bills and Saints. Players like free agents Markus Golden and Cameron Wake could be in similar positions and would help.

The Patriots showed interest in Bruce Irvin last season before he signed with Atlanta. The team could also try to retain John Simon, who filled in well as a situational edge rusher.

The Pats won’t be looking for just pass-rushers. With Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton hitting free agency, the team will also need run-stopping defensive linemen. Bringing back Brown or Shelton still is an option, but there are other intriguing options out there.

At 6-foot-4, 332 pounds, Mike Pennel, a free agent, has the size to help against the run. After playing for the New York Jets, the Pats also know him well. Players like Bennie Logan, ex of the Titans; Domata Peko, Christian Covington and Timmy Jernigan would also make sense. Jernigan, 26, had a promising start to his career before a back injury limited him to three games last season with the Eagles.

Corey Liuget is another intriguing player, who finished last season on the injured reserve for the Chargers. The Chiefs' Allen Bailey (six sacks in 2018) isn’t a prototypical run stopper, but he could be used as an interior pass-rusher.

There are also several linebackers available who might be of interest to the Patriots. Although the team returns everyone from last season, it could use a linebacker with coverage skills. Mark Barron is a player who could fill that role. He wouldn’t cost the Pats a comp pick since he was released by the Rams..

The Patriots could also reunite with Jamie Collins, who was released by Cleveland. He could help as a pass-rusher and already knows the playbook. According to The Athletic, the Pats thought about trading for Collins last season.

The Pats will also need some outside cornerbacks to fill out their depth chart with Jason McCourty and Eric Rowe hitting free agency. If the Pats can’t retain either player, it would be surprising if they spent a lot of money on this position. If they want to add a former Rutgers player, who played under Greg Schiano, Marcus Cooper is one name to watch. Players coming off injury, who could be had for less, include Kayvon Webster and Jason Verrett.