The New England Patriots didn’t make any flashy moves in free agency or in the 2022 NFL Draft.
It was disappointing to fans following an offseason of unprecedented spending. The Patriots didn’t have much cap money remaining and they went out to get value pieces to add depth, while also retaining key veterans. Some of the notable free agents that came in include Malcolm Butler, DeVante Parker, Jabrill Peppers, Ty Montgomery and Mack Wilson.
Peppers, 26, was a sneaky good grab for the Patriots and they signed him to an incentive-laced one-year deal that could be worth $5 million. Peppers didn’t have a great NFL start with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, but NFL Analyst Rich Eisen believes he will be great for the Patriots.
On “The Rich Eisen Show,” he raved about Peppers’ potential in Foxborough — as he put him in his top five of under-the-rader offseason moves.
“I’m telling you, I’m biased, flat-out biased when it comes to this player, who was one of the most dynamite college players, did not do very well in Cleveland (Browns),” Eisen said, transcribed by NESN. “Get it, understand. Didn’t do all that great, didn’t shine out in New York (Giants) but now he’s coming to New England, and I’m telling you, the Patriots will understand what to do with this guy.
“And he’s going to have, all of a sudden, the old fountain of youth, even though he’s still youthful. Jabrill Peppers is a New England Patriot, and I’m telling you, he’s gonna be terrific in this defense. They’re gonna figure out what to do. He’s gonna make plays. He’s gonna ‘do your job.’ He knows how to do it. Bill (Belichick) loves Michigan players, and that’s not just a (Tom) Brady reference.”
Peppers will join a loaded safety group that includes Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips and Kyle Dugger. The next area of concern for the Patriots is stacking up the cornerback group — who lost J.C. Jackson this offseason.
