The New England Patriots still have some moves to make when it comes to free agency as their biggest deal to date is the contract for Devin McCourty. However, they are still looking at depth at the wide receiver and running back positions while looking for defensive help as well. That could come in the form of high-profiled players or the return of familiar faces.
Patriots were likely not thrilled when the team opted not to pick up the option on Vince Wilfork, releasing the long-time defense lineman into free agency. He as a salary cap casualty at the time, but is reportedly still in the mix with New England. According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Wilfork is considering four teams in free agency and the Patriots are one of them as a return is possible.
Wilfork had been with the Patriots since 2004 when the team drafted him. He has always been the workhorse of the defense while not commanding the attention of players like Darrelle Revis. He released a statement thanking New England for his time with the franchise, sounding like a player not ready to leave just yet. If Wilfork can agree to a smaller contract, returning to the Patriots would and should be a possibility. Rapoport says Wilfork is taking his time with free agency, but could be holding out for something from New England.
Meanwhile, the Patriots are not waiting around for high-profiled players. New England has been getting linked to a deal for Percy Harvin since his release from the New York Jets, but the longer the team lets the receiver sit on the market, the less likely he is to sign a contract with the Patriots. Harvin is currently on his second day in a visit to Buffalo. Despite Bill Belichick's public praise of the versatile wide receiver, a deal does not appear to be happening. Instead, the Patriots have signed cheaper options like Brandon Gibson and Kevin Dorsey.
The running back spot is still an area of focus as well. LeGarrette Blount is set to return, but there are question marks about the depth behind him after the departures of Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen. According to the Boston Herald, the Patriots had interest in CJ Spiller, but the running back is currently in New Orleans talking to the Saints. Pierre Thomas could be a solid and cheap option for the team. He would fit right in while being a threat in the passing game.