Former Pro-Bowler Named Patriots Best Potential Free Agent Signing

The New England Patriots tried several top players, but some of them were nothing but a bad decision. Head coach Bill Belichick entered the 2022 NFL Draft with a few major needs. He had to get some corners. Did he do so? A Pro-Bowler could be the right addition for the Patriots.

The Patriots lost Stephon Gilmore at the very beginning of the 2021 NFL season. J.C. Jackson didn’t get the contract he wanted. He is one of the better players at this position, but the Patriots didn’t try their best to keep him around. Jackson thought that they are not even interested in having him on their roster.

Jackson’s departure is not the only problem. The Patriots got Malcolm Butler, hoping to use his services in 2022. He was a real star a few years ago, but Belichick got rid of him right before the start of the regular season. Butler was retired for a year and he came back to join his former team. It was a great scenario and Patriots fans were super excited. No, it didn’t work.

The Pro-Bowler to join the Patriots and overcome each and every obstacle

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes that the Patriots could get A.J. Bouye. He could be the best player for this position and maybe Belichick should make a move. There’s still room for Butler, but we have a few good reasons to believe that he would never be the No.1 corner for the Patriots.

Bouye, on the other hand, could jump in and save the team. Knox wrote that the former Pro-Bowler fits the criteria in every possible way. Yes, Bouye had some issues in 2021 as he had zero interceptions and three passes defended in 10 games with the Carolina Panthers.

“The 31-year-old A.J. Bouye should fit the criteria,” Knox wrote. “He signed a two-year, $7 million deal with Carolina last year but landed on injured reserve (foot) in December and was released in March with $1.2 million in dead money remaining on his contract.”

Belichick has to find a solution for his cornerback unit. Greg Bedard from The Boston Sports Journal advised the Patriots to get a No.1 corner. Is Bouye really the right player to join the team? He hasn’t seen much action in the last couple of years.