The New England Patriots have been the most active team in the early stages of the NFL’s legal adulteration period, agreeing to terms with former Baltimore Ravens broker Matt Judon, Tennessee Titans’ tight end Jonnu Smith, the Miami Dolphins facing Davon Godchaux and the Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Jalen Mills.
Judon is coming to Foxborough on a $ 56 million business in four years, including $ 32 million guaranteed in the first two years, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora. Smith, arguably the best player in his position on the open market, agreed to the terms of a $ 50 million deal in four years, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, while Godchaux obtains a two-year deal, $ 16 million. Mills with paint a four-year deal, $ 24 million, by Schefter.
Judon was considered one of the best external linebackers in the free agency and is coming out of his second consecutive season in the Pro Bowl. In the last off-season, the Ravens put the franchise brand on Judon, and now, he has capitalized on the open market. In 2020, he recorded 50 combined tackles, six sacks and two passes saved in 14 games played. In Baltimore’s two postseason games, Judon recorded six combined tackles, a sack and forced a fumble.
With Judon, the Ravens again had a defense in the top 10 last season, averaging 329.8 yards of total attack allowed per game in the regular season. Judon was originally selected by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft outside Grand Valley State, and recorded 34.5 sacks and 236 combined tackles in 76 career games.
Despite being devastated by the COVID-19 withdrawals in 2020, the Patriots’ defense was 15th out of the total yards allowed per game with 353.8. They had the seventh worst rush defense, however, and registered only 24 sacks, which was tied for the sixth worst in the league. Adding Judon gives the New England defense an immediate boost, while Bill Belichick tries to rebuild his list to compete in 2021.