A look at the New England Patriots' 2018 free agency class shows that the unit with the most top players about to hit the open market was special teams. Of the 14 unrestricted free agents to be, eight held major roles in the kicking game the previous year. A ninth player, Brandon King, was furthermore scheduled to become a restricted free agent last Wednesday.
It was clearly an important time for the future of New England's kicking game operation, particularly in regards to kickoff and punt coverage. However, the Patriots were able to keep most of their key pieces in place with yesterday's signing of team captain Matthew Slater the latest special teams domino to fall this offseason: New England and the veteran agreed on a two-year deal that will keep him around until after the 2019 season.