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Cory Littleton rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

By Russell S. Baxter

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams runs onto the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams runs onto the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 04: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 04: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. New England Patriots

Eight games into the 2019 season, the New England Patriots’ defensive unit was being heralded as being one of the best ever. The hyperbole was in high gear but the numbers were pretty outstanding. Bill Belichick’s team allowed a total of 61 points, limited each opponent to 14 or fewer points and pitched a pair of shutouts.

Of course, things would change dramatically for a team that opened 8-0 but split its final eight contests and then was humbled at home in the AFC Wild Card playoffs by running back Derrick Henry and the upstart Tennessee Titans. When it was all said and done, a unit whose strength was in the back end (cornerback Stephon Gilmore was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year) had its issues against the run in its final 10 outings – including the postseason.

So while the Patriots and most of the NFL world ponders the future of six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, the team has plenty of other concerns. Back to the defense, where standout linebackers Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy will see their contracts expire on March 18.

Will Belichick and the organization attempt to retain one or both? The former was a jack of all trades for the team in his return to Foxborough, leading the club with 80 tackles. Collins also finished with seven sacks and three interceptions. And that’s the kind of versatility and production that Cory Littleton could bring to the Patriots.

Next: No. 2

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