New England Patriots free agency 2021: Top 5 targets

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 28: Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills looks on during warmups before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 28, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

4. Matt Milano

The Patriots need to make up ground on the Bills inside their own division if they want to make the playoffs in 2021. That’s why stealing a free agent from Buffalo might appeal strongly to the higher-ups in New England.

Milano isn’t a physical presence at linebacker, but his ability to hold up in single coverage against running backs will make him a hot commodity in free agency. The Bills will struggle to free up the cap space required to keep him. That gives the Patriots a unique opportunity to swoop in and steal him away from their division rivals.

Dont’a Hightower’s return after opting out of the 2020 season should give Belichick’s linebacking corps a major boost, but they still need to add a guy capable of helping them in coverage. Milano will be one of the top options available on the open market this offseason.

That doesn’t mean he’s going to get paid a fortune in free agency. Quite a few teams will shy away from him because of his struggles in the tackling department. New England can afford to overlook that significant flaw. Landing Milano for anything less than $10 million per season would be a significant win for the Patriots.

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