Free Agency Recap: Busy weekend for Pats

In case you spent the weekend passed out in a gutter after celebrating a certain holiday too hard, here's what you missed in NFL free agency.

• The Patriots continued a busy offseason this weekend, starting with Friday's signing of CB Brandon Browner to a 3 year, $17 million deal. At 6'4", 220, the former Seahawk gives the Patriots a big, physical press man corner to pair up with Darrelle Revis, although it's worth noting that Browner is suspended for the first four games of 2014.

• The Patriots also addressed their need at wide receiver this weekend, re-signing receiver Julian Edelman and adding former Panther Brandon LeFell. Edelman was Brady's best receiver last year and brings additional value as an excellent punt returner, while LeFell provides size (6'2") and battle-tested insurance in case Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins and Josh Boyce don't develop as quickly as they hope. They also are bringing in Kenny Britt for a visit, who has a lot of red flags but also the potential to be a legitimate top receiver. 

• Not to be out-done, the Broncos remained in the AFC arms race by signing WR Emmanuel Sanders to a 3 year deal. Sanders' explosive run after the catch ability should make him an excellent fit in Denver's short passing game, where he'll be expected to help replace the production lost by the departure of Eric Decker.

• One final Patriots note: one area they were hit this weekend was depth at linebacker. The projected starting trio of Jerod Mayo, Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins sounds great, but the team lacks any semblance of proven depth after losing both Brandon Spikes and Dane Fletcher over the weekend. Spikes went to the Bills, where he'll team up with old coach Pepper Johnson on a one-year deal. Fletcher signed with the Bucs, where he'll have a chance to compete for a starting job in Lovie Smith's defense.

• Speaking of the Bucs, they continued to prioritize their offensive line this offseason, signing Packers C Evan Dietrich-Smith and Browns G Oniel Cousins. The Bills stayed relatively quiet, only adding former 49ers RB Anthony Dixon in addition to Spikes.

• The Colts made another big splash, adding former Giant WR Hakeem Nicks on a relatively cheap one year deal. If the Colts can protect Andrew Luck, they should have a scary passing offense, with Nicks joining Reggie Wayne, explosive slot receiver TY Hilton and TE Dwyane Allen, who will be coming back from a hip injury.

• The Dolphins stayed busy, signing G Shelley Smith and CB Cortland Finnegan. Smith, who visited with the Patriots earlier in free agency, is another piece in the Phins attempt to rebuild their offensive line on the fly. He has the potential to be one of the league's top run blockers. Pairing Finnegan with Brent Grimes gives the Dolphins a duo of undersized but fiesty corners with a long track record of NFL success.

• The Ravens made a few moves, signing released Panthers WR Steve Smith and re-signing LB Daryl Smith. The lost linebacker Jameel McClain and OT Michael Oher to the Giants and Titans respectively, although no one is Baltimore is particularly surprised or saddened by that news.

• The Packers made a big move, signing released Chicago DE Julius Peppers. They also resigned BJ Raji to a one year deal. However, they did lose starting C Evan Dietrich-Smith to Tampa.

• The Lions took one of the top free agent TEs off the market by re-signing former first round pick Brandon Pettigrew. The fact that the perennially disappointing Pettigrew was one of the top TEs available is precisely why I've advocated for the Pats to address that need in the draft.

• The Raiders continued to try to use their cap space to build up their defense, adding former Houston DE Antonio Smith and 49ers CB Tarell Brown. Both players were solid, productive players in their old homes, and Oakland can use as many solid players as they can get their hands on. They also managed to keep S Usama Young, although DT Vance Walker bolted for Kansas City.

• Da Bears may have lost Julius Peppers but they kept one long-time Bear around for another year in CB Charles "Peanut" Tillman. Tillman was rumored to be a target of former coach Lovie Smith in Tampa, but ultimately opted to stay with the only team he's played for in the NFL.

• The Browns addressed their stagnant running game by adding Houston RB Ben Tate on a two year deal. Tate will instantly become a bell-cow back in Cleveland, an opportunity that eluded him in Houston. He also represents a rarity in this year's free agency period: a running back with a contract. Andre Brown, Knowshon Moreno, Maurice Jones-Drew, James Starks and LeGarrette Blount are all still available for anyone seeking help in the running game.

• The G-men are clearly looking to improve their pass defense. They signed Seattle CB Walter Thurmond III and Kansas City S/KR Quentin Demps, and are currently in a bit of a competition with the Jets to land Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. They also met with former Cowboys DE Anthony Spencer, who could be a replacement for the departed Justin Tuck, and are also hosting old friend Mario Manningham on a free agent visit. 

• On the other side of that competition is the Jets, who could really use a press-man corner like Rodgers-Cromartie to execute Rex Ryan's preferred defensive schemes. They also re-signed rush LB Calvin Pace, who had a career high 10 sacks in a nice bounce back year in 2013.

• Finally, the Cowboys have taken a beating after being forced to release DeMarcus Ware, but they look to finally get involved in free agency now. They have visits scheduled with DT Henry Melton, QB Brandon Weeden and DE Jared Allen in the next two days.

Be sure to keep checking PatriotsLife for all your free agency updates. As usual, we'll have a recap of all of today's action up tomorrow.