We’re two weeks into free agency, and it’s hard not to once again pencil in the reloaded Patriots as the favorites to win their sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy next season. The defending Super Bowl champions are the presumptive favorites to head to Minneapolis and repeat.
It’s the Patriots and then the rest.
After Bill Belichick’s splurge into free agency — signing cornerback Stephon Gilmore and trading for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and tight end Dwayne Allen while retaining linebacker Dont’a Hightower, defensive tackle Alan Branch and safety Duron Harmon — the Patriots are in great shape, no matter what shakes out with restricted free agent Malcolm Butler.