New England Patriots free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 24: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick gives a press conference ahead of New England Patriots practice at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Jan. 24, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

1. Earl Thomas, FS

Bill Belichick has dealt with some personalities in the past. He made it work with now Hall of Famer Randy Moss. He took a chance on Rodney Harrison, and he was one of the best defensive players in the current Patriots dynasty. Belichick took chances on other loud players like Chad Ochocinco, Albert Haynesworth, and others who didn’t work out. Still, all of them didn’t come into the Patriots locker room playing as well as Earl Thomas.

Thomas at safety shuts down the entire one side of the field, even if the team has below average corner backs. The Patriots already have one of the better secondaries in the league, led by Stephon Gilmore. Thomas could make this the scariest secondary in the NFL.

There’s one big issue here. Devin McCourty is already there, and he’s one of the biggest forces in this Patriots locker room. Patrick Chung has also been decent for the Patriots since he returned a few seasons ago. However, neither are even close to what Earl Thomas brings to the table.

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McCourty comes with a $13 million cap hit next season. It’s possible the Patriots could afford McCourty and Thomas in this secondary, but they should probably talk about some restructuring. If they could get his cap hit down to around $9 million, then the Patriots would have an easier time paying Thomas. He made it clear he was about getting paid, and the Patriots could look into doing just that despite Thomas coming off an injury. He could get something in the $13-15 million per season. The Patriots would love to bring this player into it.

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