The New England Patriots signed exclusive rights to free agents Brandon King (safety) and Justin Coleman (cornerback).
Coleman was signed to the Patriots from the Seattle Seahawks practice squad, but entered the league as a rookie free agent with the Minnesota Vikings. He should earn around $525,000 during the 2016 season. He is primarily utilized as the third cornerback behind starters Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan.
King was primarily a special teamer during the 2015 regular season and made an impact with that unit during the 2015 playoffs. He was a rookie free agent out of Auburn, and spent his entire NFL career with New England.
The Patriots also added former Washington Redskins defensive end Frank Kearse, who is only 27, and Chris Long to help bolster this pass rush and provide some depth on the defensive side of the ball. Long was, surprisingly, released by the Los Angeles Rams to make room for younger talent.
The Patriots also signed wide receiver Nate Washington from the Houston Texans, which will not only add some depth to this wide receiving corps, but also provide solid veteran production. Washington suffered several lingering injuries that kept him off of the field for quite some time. However, he should bounce back with this pass-heavy Patriots offense.
They also acquired free agent running back Donald Brown, even though perennial Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount is still a free agent.
New England signed Shea McClellin from the Chicago Bears to help the Patriots stop the run and generate some pressure. McClellin is just one of the many defensive players that the Patriots picked up during this chaotic free agent period.
The only other linebacker that the Patriots picked up was Ramon Humber from the New Orleans Saints, as he was one of the few bright spots in what was otherwise a struggling defensive unit. Humber is just a depth addition, as the Patriots will be missing a first round pick during the 2016 NFL Draft thanks to their involvement in the Deflategate scandal. New England does have two second round picks and could be looking to take the best player available.
They do need help along the offensive line, and Cody Whitehair or Joshua Garnett could be available for them with one of their second round picks. Running back and wide receiver are also positions of concern, but the Patriots could find solid production from a playmaker such as running backs Derrick Henry or Devontae Booker. Even wide receivers such as Braxton Miller or Michael Thomas could present an impressive upgrade to this offense.
Re-signing King and Coleman should give this New England secondary some added depth as we head into the 2016 NFL draft, and should allow the Patriots enough breathing room to take the best players available in the second and third rounds.
