Plan A sounds like a home run. It involves the Patriots going after Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, per the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed.
But the Patriots signing all those players feels far-fetched. So, they have a back-up plan in place.
“If the Patriots whiff on their top targets — a group that consists of mid-level veterans and top-of-the-market talents — they will pivot to Plans B, C and, if necessary D, at select positions,” the Herald wrote. “One such example is left tackle. The Patriots would be comfortable signing any of Stanley, Dan Moore (Pittsburgh) or Cam Robinson (Minnesota), per sources, who added Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson was part of that group until Friday when Los Angeles signed him to an extension.”
Stanley, a two-time Pro Bowler, would be a big get for the Patriots at a clear position of need. But they might not even get the opportunity to sign him if he can reach a long-term contract agreement with the Ravens, which seems likely at that point.
Moore wouldn’t be a bad option at left tackle for the Patriots, though. He might not have the same pedigree as Stanley, but Moore is four years younger than the 30-year-old Stanley and has plenty of experience. Moore, who stands at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, started 66 games for the Steelers over the last four seasons.
Robinson, a 2017 second-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, had his stock drop after struggling with the Minnesota Vikings this past season following a mid-season trade. But the Patriots could feel the 6-foot-6, 335-pound tackle represents good value, especially if he comes at a better price than other free agents available.
The Patriots can start locking in free agents when the legal tampering period begins March 10. And how the Patriots approach free agency could signal what they do when they are on the clock in April’s NFL draft.
