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NFL Free Agency 2020: 3 Targets for each team

By Nicholas McGee

CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals in the game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals in the game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts during the 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: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts during the 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) /

New England Patriots

1. Tom Brady
2.  Emmanuel Sanders
3. Vance McDonald

The Patriots’ priority in free agency must be keeping around Brady, who is set to explore free agency for the first time in his decorated career. Regardless of whether they succeed in that goal, the Patriots will need to surround their quarterback with superior weapons than those Brady had in 2019.

Emmanuel Sanders proved he still had plenty left in the tank last season following his mid-season trade from the Denver Broncos to the San Francisco 49ers. Sanders was crucial to the Niners’ run to the Super Bowl and, if the Patriots could turn the clock back, they surely would have made a bigger push to trade for him rather than Mohamed Sanu.

Expect the Pats to try to atone for their misstep and sign Sanders to a contract, though they are likely to face competition from a Niners team keen to re-sign him.

Tight end is also a significant area of need and, by signing Pittsburgh Steelers free agent McDonald, they would weaken an AFC rival. McDonald is a far cry from Rob Gronkowski, but he’s proven himself capable of being the big-play tight end the Patriots have lacked since Gronk called it a career.

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