NFL free agency unofficially begins on Monday with the ‘legal tampering period,’ then officially on Wednesday with the new league year. After two months of build-up, the stage of the offseason where teams actually construct their rosters for the 2023 season is here.
Of course, no team fills all its needs in free agency. The NFL Draft, which is just under two months away, will play a big role in this process as well.
When it comes to the Patriots, which roster holes will they fill this week, and which ones will we see addressed in late April? Let’s take a position-by-position look (in no particular order). Just because one position may be better addressed in one stage, doesn’t mean it’s impossible to address it in the other, we’re just looking for the most efficient process.
With free agency around the corner, we’ll also go through the top free agent options at each of these positions. We’ll get into draft prospects in our positional draft preview series, which will begin the week after free agency.
Safety: Free agency
Oct 9, 2022; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III (30) warms up before an NFL Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
Devin McCourty’s decision to return in 2023 or retire will determine just how big of a need safety is, but it’s a need none the less. Even if McCourty comes back there’s no guarantee it’s for more than one year, and there may still be a chance to get more creative with two true free safeties on the roster.
There may also be a need for a box safety. Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips remain, but Jabrill Peppers is a free agent. Dugger being in a contract year could set up the need for depth long-term as well.
Given that it’s such a strong safety class in free agency, it would make sense for the Patriots to address the need now even if it does end up being a year early. It should be a buyers market at the position.
Free agent names to know (Patriots pending free agents in italics): Devin McCourty, Jabrill Peppers, Jessie Bates, Vonn Bell, Jordan Poyer, Jimmie Ward, Adrian Amos, Terrell Edmonds, Taylor Rapp, Ronnie Harrison
Tight end: Draft
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 31: Luke Schoonmaker #86 of the Michigan Wolverines runs after catching a pass during the first quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
When it comes to positional needs, they generally fit into two categories – immediate needs and luxury needs. Immediate needs are positions where the team can’t fill out a depth chart, or doesn’t have starting-caliber players at that position. Luxury needs are positions that have NFL talent on the roster, but can either be upgraded relatively easily and/or a team can get ahead of before they become immediate needs in the future.
For the 2023 offseason, tight end is at the top of the Patriots’ luxury needs list. Hunter Henry is still producing, and should give the team enough this upcoming season. However, there’s certainly room to grow the position, and with Henry in a contract year it’s not a bad time to stop looking ahead.
That leads us to the draft, which happens to have one of the best tight end classes in recent memory. Even if they wait until Day 3, the Patriots should be able to get a high-upside player at the position on a very team-friendly rookie contract. They can let that player develop behind Henry while playing a complementary role in 2023, then let Henry walk and have that player take over at the top of the depth chart next year.
Free agent names to know: Mike Gesicki, Dalton Schultz, Austin Hooper, Robert Tonyan, Hayden Hurst, Geoff Swaim, Adam Shaheen, Irv Smith, Foster Moreau, O.J. Howard
Running back: Free agency
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 24: D’Onta Foreman #33 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Running back may not be among the most obvious of the Patriots’ needs, but it’s a sneaky important one. Last season, Rhamondre Stevenson played the most snaps (699) by a Patriots running back in the last 10 years, 99 more than the next closest player. He also had the third-most touches (279) by any Patriots back in that span. That kind of workload isn’t always sustainable in the modern NFL, and the Patriots need to find depth behind him to lessen his workload.
Ideally that depth will come from the Patriots’ two 2022 draft picks at the position, Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris. The team was hesitant to play both players last year, which follows a trend of how the team has handled the position in the past. They should be in line for bigger roles in 2023. Even if they are, adding another back would still be a good idea – if they’re not, it’s a must.
Generally, teams use about four or five running backs over the course of a season. After Stevenson, Strong, and Harris, there still may be a spot available on the roster. Damien Harris is a pending free agent, J.J. Taylor returns on a future contract but has struggled to stay on the NFL roster during his time in New England, and Ty Montgomery is coming off a serious injury.
Given those question marks, and it being a relatively young room, it would make sense for the Patriots to sign a veteran back for depth and experience. They don’t need to spend a ton of money to make this happen, but it could end up becoming an important decision later in the season.
Free agent names to know: Damien Harris, Jerick McKinnon, Jamaal Williams, D’Onta Foreman, Kenyan Drake, Matt Breida, Mark Ingram
Edge rusher: Draft
Sep 10, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore (99) forces a fumble on Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard (13) during the second quarter at Ryan Field. Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
This is another long-term need for the Patriots, that they can take advantage of with a strong draft class at the position. They look to be in good shape for 2023, but Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings will both be free agents after this season and Matthew Judon and Deatrich Wise will be up after next season.
In recent years, the Patriots have made a point of continuously drafting edge players relatively high, and creating a seamless pipeline at the position. Last year was the first time in four years they didn’t take an outside linebacker or defensive end on Day 2 – will they get back to that this year?
Free agent names to know: Bud Dupree, Kamu Grugier-Hill, A.J. Klein, Derek Rivers, Isaiah Buggs, Larry Ogunjobi, Morgan Fox, Clelin Ferrell, A’Shawn Robinson, Trey Flowers, Chase Winovich
Off-ball linebacker: Free Agency
Miami receiver Tyreek Hill makes a catch in front of Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. (Jamie Germano/USA Today Network)
For the last few years, the Patriots have been trying to find an athletic off-ball linebacker to pair with Ja’Whaun Bentley. Cameron McGrone, Mack Wilson, and Raekwon McMillan were all potential fits, but McGrone is now in Indianapolis and Wilson and McMillan are pending free agents, so the team is due to try again.
Given their overall lack of depth at linebacker (Jahlani Tavai – who is better on the edge – is the only other middle linebacker on the Patriots’ roster) this isn’t a position where the Patriots can afford to wait and develop a player. With so much proven talent in free agency as well, and the fact inside linebacker contracts have been relatively devalued in recent years, this is a spot where it makes sense to make a signing – and maybe even a big one.
Free agent names to know: Mack Wilson, Raekwon McMillan, Zach Cunningham, Lavonte David, Deion Jones, Devin Bush, Tremaine Edmunds, Kwon Alexander
Defensive tackle: Draft
Oct 30, 2021; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) celebrates after sacking Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) during the fourth quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive tackle is another under-the-radar depth need. Christian Barmore and Davon Godchaux return at the top of the depth chart along with Lawrence Guy, but that’s pretty much it for the position. Carl Davis and Daniel Ekuale – who both played key roles at times last year – are both pending free agents. Given Barmore’s injury history and Guy’s age, getting some reliable backups here could be a good investment.
This is another spot where the Patriots can take advantage of a deep draft class with high-upside players. With their ability to develop defensive tackles, they should be able to find a player who can help on Day 3, especially among Shrine Bowl standouts they saw up close like Moro Ojomo from Texas or Dante Stills from West Virginia.
Free agents to know: Carl Davis, Daniel Ekuale, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Dalvin Tomlinson, Derrick Nnandi, Michael Brockers, Maurice Hurst
Wide receiver: Trade
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 13: Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 13, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 30-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Wide receiver is certainly a position of need for the Patriots. It may be a luxury need of sorts, but it still outweighs most of their immediate needs.
Unfortunately for the Patriots it’s a down year (for the first time in a while) both in free agency and the draft at the position. That means if they want to make a splash they’ll need to get creative – and turn to the trade market.
As things stand now, DeAndre Hopkins is the player who has come up the most as a rumored trade target. We explored other options the last few weeks here and here.
Free agent names to know: Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Allen Lazard, Mack Hollins, Parris Campbell, Robert Woods, Marvin Jones, Darius Slayton, Robbie Anderson, Mecole Hardman, Keelan Cole, T.Y. Hilton, Jamison Crowder, Braxton Berrios, Jake Kumerow
Tackle: Free agency & Draft
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Mike McGlinchey #69 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the game at Levi’s Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
It’s a great year for tackles in free agency. It’s a great year for tackles in the draft. The Patriots should take advantage.
If you’ve followed our coverage of the offseason so far, you’re familiar with the SODO (sign one, draft one) plan. Tackle is both an immediate and luxury need for the Patriots, on both sides of the line.
Right now the team only has three tackles under contract – Trent Brown, Conor McDermott, and Andrew Stueber. If they move on from Brown, they’d open up between $7 million and $10 million. Even if they don’t, he’s in the final year of his contract and entering his age 30 season.
Between the draft and free agency, the Patriots should aim to come away with one tackle who can step in and start immediately (taking advantage of Brown’s ability to play on either side to allow flexibility), and another who, if he can’t start right away, will be ready to take over from Brown opposite that first tackle in 2024. In whatever combination they get it done, that would solidify the line not just for this season, but the foreseeable future as well.
Names to know: Orlando Brown Jr., Mike McGlinchey, Jawaan Taylor, Kaleb McGary, Donovan Smith, George Fant, Cameron Erving, Andre Dillard, Taylor Lewan, Riley Reiff, Eric Fisher, Jermaine Eluemunor, Cameron Fleming
