BOSTON — Under Bill Belichick the Patriots have typically taken a reserved posture at the start of free agency, opting to take their time before pulling off any major moves. ADVERTISING BOSTON — Under Bill Belichick the Patriots have typically
BOSTON — Under Bill Belichick the Patriots have typically taken a reserved posture at the start of free agency, opting to take their time before pulling off any major moves.
But things have been moving swiftly this offseason, with New England making a trio of trades and several signings over the first two days of the new NFL year.
The Patriots made a pair of big moves Friday to solidify their receiving group and secondary. A person familiar with the deal said the New Orleans Saints agreed to trade receiver Brandin Cooks to the Patriots in exchange for New England’s 2017 first-round selection and a third-round pick. The Saints will also send back a fourth-round pick to New England, said the person who spoke Friday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the teams have not announced the deal.
In Cooks, 23, the Patriots add another speedy and productive young receiver to a group that already includes Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell and veterans Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola.
New England also signed coveted free agent and Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The No. 10 pick in the 2012 draft, Gilmore was an unrestricted free agent after spending the past five seasons in Buffalo. He joins a secondary that already includes standouts in cornerback Malcolm Butler and safety Devin McCourty.
Gilmore is coming off a strong 2016 season, earning the Pro Bowl selection after making 48 tackles and a career-high five interceptions.
The Patriots got the ball rolling the day before the free agency period even opened, agreeing to send a sixth-round draft pick to Indianapolis in exchange for tight end Dwayne Allen.
That was followed on Friday by a trade on the defensive side, which sent this year’s second-round pick to Carolina for edge rusher Kony Ealy and a third-round pick. The trade won’t become official until Ealy passes his physical.
