Recent contract extensions of Harrison Smith and Allen Hurns could be starting point for upcoming Patriots free agents.
The NFL season hasn't started yet, but the New England Patriots need to be ready for the 2017 NFL offseason. After the 2016-17 season, three key Patriots will be free agents. Super Bowl hero and Pro Bowl cornerback Malcolm Butler, as well as star linebackers Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower are scheduled to be free agents after the season, and the Patriots need to pay them or regret losing them.
Butler rose from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl hero in a matter of seconds, and has since developed into the number one corner to Patriots needed.