Who is Pats’ most impactful free-agent signing of 2020?
Byrd brings blazing speed, while Phillips is super versatile
NFL free agency has come to a quiet close.
The Patriots have signed a quarterback, wide receiver, fullback and a host of defensive players and special teamers so far this offseason. If the NFL is able to kick off in September and enjoy a full regular season, the impact of each new player will become clear. Until then, it’s anyone’s guess. Including ours.
For the purpose of this point-counter-point exercise, we’ve excluded any players who re-signed with the team (Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater) and narrowed the field down to two free agents.
The first is Damiere Byrd, a former Cardinals wide receiver, who is coming off a 32-catch season and has speed to burn. He also provides special teams ability as a returner. Byrd was the Pats’ first signing of free agency.
Next up is safety Adrian Phillips. He also has dualrole capabilities. The former Charger earned All-Pro honors for his special teams work in 2018. That season, he totaled 94 tackles, nine pass deflections, a forced fumble and one interception in his snaps taken on defense and LA’s kick and punt coverage units, before an injury-shortened 2019 campaign.
How will these new Pats
farein2020?
CALLAHAN: The case for Byrd is positional need, untapped potential and extraordinary speed. He is already the fastest Patriot, having blazed a 4.28 at his 2016 Pro Day. Last season was the first time Byrd could play in 11 games, and he enjoyed a career year within a creative offense. Josh McDaniels will put his rare talent to optimal use with starting receiver snaps up for grabs.
GUREGIAN: Building a case for Phillips is pretty easy. He boasts quite a few qualities Bill Belichick loves. The first? Versatility. Defensively, he’s a jack of all trades, able to fill in just about anywhere in the defensive backfield. Moreover, he’s an All-Pro special teamer, and can be another of Belichick’s aces who plays on all of the units.
CALLAHAN: Jack of all trades … master of none, perhaps? Look, Phillips is a good player — no doubt. But his impact in 2020 should be limited by Patrick Chung, who already plays his box safety/linebacker role, and the other top special teamers (Slater, Justin Bethel, Cody Davis etc. Byrd, meanwhile, owned a top-15 catch rate in Arizona despite being a deep threat. Imagine 4.28 speed on a go route, reverse or punt return!
GUREGIAN: OK, gloves are coming off. A 70% catch rate is impressive. But in the previous four seasons, Byrd did zip. Where was that catch rate in Carolina? Answer: On the practice squad or injured. As for Phillips, it never hurts to have a Swiss Army knife Belichick can get creative with on defense. He’ll find a spot for him. And since when is it a bad thing to have an excess of great special teams players?
CALLAHAN: Well, stocking up on special teamers is no guarantee of success. Case in point: The Pats finished outside the top 10 in special teams the past two seasons, per Football Outsiders’ DVOA. As for Byrd, again, it’s potential. He was undrafted in 2016 and stuck
for three seasons in the league, an accomplishment unto itself. He’s a rising, ascending player. What Patriots fan would turn down that speed and life infused into the wideout depth? The front office didn’t. It pursued him from the get-go.
GUREGIAN: With the uncertainty on offense with questions at quarterback, defense and special teams become much more important. So loading up makes sense. Blazing speed and potential are great. But what did that do for Chad Jackson and Bethel Johnson? Phillips is a little more established. Plus, Chargers DC Gus Bradley praised him as one of the smartest players he’s ever coached. That works in Foxboro.
CALLAHAN: It certainly does. Just like any type of passable wide receiver play will in 2020, after how disastrous the position was last year. Byrd’s so-so numbers would have made him the Pats’ third-leading receiver and second-most productive wideout! His best football is clearly ahead of him. His opportunity for impact as a receiver and returner is substantial, which is harder to say for Phillips not only because of Chung, but also Terrence Brooks, who plays the same role.
GUREGIAN: I wouldn’t diminish Phillips’ impact just because Chung and Brooks play the same role. While in LA, Phillips had snaps at box safety, slot corner, free safety, perimeter corner, and linebacker. Maybe his presence allows for Brooks to take over Duron Harmon’s role, or vice versa. Belichick can never have enough quality chess pieces. Phillips is a terrific one to have, and should see plenty of meaningful playing time.
CALLAHAN: And yet as valuable as Phillips may be, the Chargers just let him walk. I’m curious about that. As for Byrd, he proved himself on a 1-year deal with Arizona and smartly hit free agency. The fit and timing in New England could be perfect. He has experience in multiple NFL systems, meaning his Year 1 learning curve shouldn’t compare at all to a rookie’s. He has a developing game built around an elite skill, which McDaniels can utilize in several ways. It’s a leap of faith to trust bargain-bin wideouts the Pats sign, sure. But Byrd is worth it, because they haven’t seen anything like him in a long, long time, and only Edelman and Mohamed Sanu should really stand in his way.
GUREGIAN: Byrd is an intriguing proposition given his skill set. Totally agree. But in my view, he’s not a lock. A lot depends on what the Patriots do in the draft. Phillips has a much better chance to stick given he’s a maneuverable piece on the board who adds quality depth to the secondary, and has the kind of football IQ
Belichick appreciates. Add in he was a former Texas Longhorn captain, plays on all the special teams units, and essentially checks off all the boxes.
Why did LA let him go? They’re pretty stacked at safety with All-Pro Derwin James, Rayshawn Jenkins and Nasir Adderley. The Pats signed Phillips to a two-year deal, which says a lot. With his experience and ability to play numerous roles, he will be a Belichick favorite.