Talk about a transformation. The Patriots had two highly-paid safeties leading their room when the spring started, and neither lasted very long. Jabril Peppers was released, and Kyle Duggertore up his contract to facilitate an in-season trade to Pittsburgh, coincidentally to play alongside Peppers once again. Their removal from the roster was barely a blip on the radar by the time we got to the postseason. In fact, the only time I can remember even thinking about it was ... well, never. The Pats moved on to a veteran journeyman and a 4th-round rookie, and got better play than I expected from both. Of course, now they might need to replace one of them, depending on how free agency goes.
UNDER CONTRACT: Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler, John Saunders Jr.
FREE AGENT: Jaylinn Hawkins
Let’s start with Hawkins. He made peanuts last year, relatively speaking, signing a make-good one-year deal for $2.5 million. He made good, for sure, far outearning that contract with his play. Hawkins had four interceptions, six passes defensed, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. He also added 71 tackles, 3 for loss. There may have been a partridge in a pear tree somewhere on the stat line as well.
Now comes free agency, where he is due for a nice raise. How much? Try eight figures per season. PFF estimates 3 for $33 million ($22.5 mil guaranteed). However, in talking to decision-makers around the league this past week, I got a more cloudy picture of how Hawkins is viewed, with one team telling me they thought he was a third safety (!).
Mike Vrabel, though, is a big believer in Hawkins, both as a player and for what he’s done for the culture. So when you consider that, and the fact that the 28-year-old is coming off a career year, he just might be the type of player they extend, and possibly, get him for less than that projected number (which would put him right around 15th amongst the highest-paid safeties in the league).
Hawkins’ running mate was a revelation in the second half of the season and in the postseason. Of course, I’m writing about Woodson. He went from a “who’d they pick at the top of round four” type into someone who arguably was their best rookie in 2025-26.
Having played a ton of college football, Woodson made a seamless transition to the NFL, helping unseat a pair of roster holdovers, Peppers and Dugger. He led the Pats in snaps, playing 1,202, and while he wasn’t perfect, especially in coverage (6 TDs allowed), his physicality and intelligence stood out. There weren’t too many instances when Woodson wasn’t where he was supposed to be, and when the Pats embraced a more blitz-heavy approach, he thrived playing down in the box. I remember asking Vrabel about him in early November, and the first word that came out of his mouth was “comfortable.” That’s perfect because if you watched him, he never screamed “rookie.”
The 24-year-old finished with 79 tackles, four tackles for loss, three PBUs, and two fumbles recovered. Can Woodson take the year two leap and get more ball production? Because of his age/experience, maybe you don’t get the same bump, but the player we saw down the stretch is a winning player and a core piece.
Pettus was the first guy off the bench, and I continue to like what I’ve seen from the UDFA from two seasons ago. He’s another physical player who seems to relish contact. But if Hawkins walks, the idea of going into the year with Pettus starting alongside Woodson seems a little... aggressive. While the 24-year-old was incorporated a little more defensively later in the year, it was as a dime defender, not because he was eating into Hawkins/Woodson snaps.
Schooler has gotten a couple of opportunities to play safety and, with the exception of being a spy, isn’t someone who should quit his day job as one of the best special teamers in the league.
Lastly, I remember someone writing a story saying that Saunders could be a big addition when he was plucked off the Dolphins' practice squad. Whoever wrote that should have regrets. He was released a few weeks after being added, passed through waivers, and ended up back on the practice squad. He dressed once (at NYJ) but did not play.
FREE AGENTS:
1. Kamren Curl(27 years old, LA Rams) - At 6’2”, 205, Curl is an excellent player when down in the box. There’s no hesitation in attacking gaps or offensive linemen/fullbacks who are trying to clear out those gaps. If the Pats want someone to play more single-high, I’m not sure that’s Curl’s primary strength. However, that’s not to say it’s a weakness for him, but he is better coming downhill on short to intermediate routes. Curl finished with 2 INTs and 5 PBUs. PFF estimates two years and $17.5 millon ($13 million guaranteed).
2. Coby Bryant(27 years old, Seattle) - If you want a coverage player at safety, Bryant is that dude. He entered the league as a cornerback but converted to safety and helped the Seahawks play elite defense all season (he was terrific in the Super Bowl). Receivers rarely get over the top of him, and he has fluid hips and a good kick start when he breaks on routes/the ball. He’s a year and a half younger than Hawkins. PFF estimates 3 years and $30 million ($20 million guaranteed)
3. Jaquan Brisker(27 years old, Chicago) - Brisker is better in coverage than against the run. It's not a matter of will, but there are plenty of examples of him getting blown out of the hole when he comes down for support. The way I view him is as a two-deep safety, not interchangeable with Woodson. PFF puts him at three years for $25 million ($17 mil guaranteed).
4. Kevin Byard (32 years old, Chicago) - Old dog who can still play, and someone who was an elite player in a previous life under Vrabel in Tennessee. At this stage of his career, Byard is less likely to be used in the same way Vrabel deployed him - where opposing offenses had to locate where he was lined up (off the edge, at the LB level, slot, safety) and even then, weren’t sure whether he was coming or going. Now, he’s more of a deep safety but still has great ball skills (7 INTs, 8 PBUs). PFF estimates $18 million over two years ($13.5 mil guaranteed).
Others of note: Bryan Cook (26 years old, KC, my suspicion is he’s too expensive), Jalen Thompson (27 years old, Arizona), Alohi Gillman(28 years old, Baltimore)
