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The New England Patriots have plenty of former players who are still looking for employers after the first wave of free agency. All three phases of the game are represented in this group: offense, defense, and special teams. Here are four of the best remaining former Patriots and their free-agency outlook.

1. Matthew Judon, EDGE

During last season’s training camp, defensive end Matthew Judon was traded from the Patriots to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a third-round pick in this upcoming draft.  The Falcons thought they were getting a premier pass rusher to help beef up their defensive line. It turns out they got a player who was a shell of himself.

During the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Patriots, Judon was one of the best pass rushers in the league averaging 14 sacks a season. However, in his last season with the Pats, he only played four games due to a torn bicep and racked up four sacks.

After his trade to the Falcons, Atlanta got more of the latter version of Judon. Last season, Judon underwhelmed in a contract year, playing in all 17 games and recording only 5.5 sacks. With the first wave of free agency past us, cap space around the league is drying up. As a result, Judon, 32, based on his age, injury history, and declining performance, may not be able to get a multi-year deal this free agency. While he may not get paid to be a starter, Judon would be a great rotational pass rusher for a contending team.

2. Brandin Cooks – Wide Receiver 

Brandin Cooks had a brief stint with the Patriots, in the 2017 season. During that season, Cooks flourished in the Josh McDaniels’ offense. Even with other premier weapons on offense, most notably all-pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, Cooks caught 65 footballs and had 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns.

In his seven seasons since, Cooks has had varying amounts of success with the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, and Dallas Cowboys. Cooks, 31, just finished his 11th season in the NFL. At this stage of his career, Cooks is a number-two receiver and spent the last two seasons as the Dallas Cowboys’ number two behind CeeDee Lamb.

One team that Cooks may still be a number-one receiver with is the Patriots. The Pats have been in search of established wide receivers, and after missing out on pretty much all options that were available, could look for a reunion. If Cooks were to entertain the thought of coming back to New England, with the return of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Brandin would not have to relearn a brand new offense like many of his potential Patriots teammates.

3. Stephon Gilmore – Cornerback

After spending his first five seasons with the Buffalo Bills, during the 2017 Free Agency period the Patriots signed Stephon Gilmore away from their division rival to a five-year contract worth $65 million.

While he only played with the Pats for four of those seasons, Gilmore blossomed into the best cornerback in the NFL and one of the league’s best defensive players in general. In his four seasons, Gilmore played in 56 games and had 185 tackles and 11 interceptions, made first-team all-pro twice, and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times. In 2019, Gilmore became the first Patriot to win Defensive Player of the Year and became the first cornerback since Charles Woodson in 2009 to win the award.

Gilmore, 34, is now four years removed from his time in New England and has spent each season with a different team (Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings). Stephon’s best days are behind him but he should be able to land another contract this offseason with a team looking for a number two or three veteran cornerback.  

4. Nick Folk – Kicker

After 11 seasons in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys (three years), New York Jets (7 years), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 year), Nick Folk spent the next four seasons of his career (2019-2022) with the Patriots. During his Pats tenure, Folk was a model of consistency, making 108 field goals on 121 attempts.

In his two seasons since leaving the Patriots, Folk has raised his game to another level with the Tennessee Titans converting 50 of 52 field-goal attempts. Now 40 years old, Folk is one of the best free-agent kickers available and seems to get better with age.