The NFL 'Free Agent Frenzy' has simmered for now. Plenty of headlines were made around the league, led by the New England Patriots, who have spent nearly a quarter of a billion dollars thus far on the open market. Finding the balance between a draft-and-develop philosophy, plus managing cap expectations for free agents is where contenders separate themselves from pretenders.
Oftentimes, clubs are forced to overpay for a position of need once a player hits free agency. New England was careful to navigate a fine line between paying fair dollar to new additions who are expected to pay big dividends in 2025, without over-extending themselves. There's still plenty of work to be done, as they'll continue to monitor league transactions and focus their attention to the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
While the post-frenzy chaos has provided some clarity as to which direction the team will go as we approach the draft, numerous franchise-altering decisions are still on tap. Before we examine the greatest needs that remain on the roster, let's first review the impact of some of the new signings.
The additions of Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga helped to offset the trade of Davon Godchaux, who was shipped to the Saints. While you can never have enough depth in the trenches, New England will be able to rotate bodies upfront, alongside Christian Barmore, whose blood clot status now seems to be under control.
The signing of Robert Spillane, who started the past two seasons in Las Vegas, to pair with Ja'Whuan Bentley makes the linebacker spot a lukewarm need. While adding an additional backer isn't entirely out of the question, there is adequate depth with Jahlani Tavai and Christian Ellis behind them.
On the offensive side of the ball, more questions remain than answers headed into the draft.
With the acquisition of Josh Dobbs aka 'The Passtronaut,' it could expedite the exploration process of dangling backup Joe Milton on the trade market. With a weak quarterback class, New England could possibly fetch a mid-round selection for the former sixth-round pick from a year ago.
The tight end corps is formidable as is. While it didn't make our list of top six needs, there is reason to believe that the Patriots could look to add an additional player to the equation. The duo of Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper overachieved last year, as Hunter racked up a career-high 674 receiving yards, while Hooper enjoyed his highest total (476), since 2019. However, both players are in their 30s and an injection of youth is going to be needed at some point. Below are the top six needs for the Patriots as of today:
As a reminder the list of Patriots draft selections for the 2025 NFL Draft are as follows:
- Round 1: 4th overall
- Round 2: 38th overall
- Round 3: 69th overall
- Round 3: 77th overall (via ATL)
- Round 4: 106th overall
- Round 5: 144th overall
- Round 7: 217th overall (via TEN)
- Round 7: 220th overall
- Round 7: 238th overall (via LAC)
1. TEAM NEED: WIDE RECEIVER
New England gets their return of 'The Mack,' in the form of Mack Hollins. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was sure to have his fingerprints on this transaction, as the 31-year-old Hollins enjoyed his finest season to date under the Patriots offensive coordinator during their time together in Las Vegas. A lanky possession-type wideout, the Tar Heels product presents another tall target and red zone mismatch for quarterback Drake Maye.
While adding the veteran Hollins was a wise move, New England still needs playmakers at all skill positions, primarily at wideout. Aside from DeMario Davis, this remains a relatively unproven group. Third-year man Kayshon Boutte ended the year on a high note and shows promise heading into the season. Meanwhile, soon-to-be 30-year-old Kendrick Bourne enters his fifth year with the Patriots, having seen his production decline every season. The team would hope to get more out of second-year players Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, but it seems like a big ask, as we sit here in mid-March.
At No.4, New England is likely to go best available player, which means there's a very strong chance they could look to pluck a wideout at No.38. Potential options would include Tre Harris of Ole Miss, who possesses length, physicality and the ability to beat you short, or deep. He has enough size to provide the offense with another boundary option. If it's a need-for-speed they wish to fulfill, there's a possibility that Texas burner Isaiah Bond could still be on the board. His sub-4.4 speed would give Maye a much-needed downfield pitch-and-catch option.
2. TEAM NEED: OFFENSIVE TACKLE
With over a decade of starting experience in the NFL, the signing of Morgan Moses was a much-needed addition. This move makes sense for a number of reasons. It ensures stability at right tackle, as Moses has proven to be durable during his career. It also strengthens the interior, as Mike Onwenu now becomes a full-time starter at guard, making the offensive line more wholesome.
Still, New England needs to continue to build up front. The possibility remains that LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell is in consideration at pick No.4. With the presence of Moses, it would allow the rookie to learn from a proven veteran and also provide Maye with a pair of new bookends. Bringing back Demontrey Jacobs, who started 13 games last season was a solid depth move.
Should the Patriots hold off on Day 2, there are still some potential starter options who could be available. A player such as Anthony Belton of North Carolina State would be a premium pick at No.38 overall. In fact, Belton has the measurables suited to play left tackle, more so than Campbell. Another intriguing option would be Aireontae Ersery of Minnesota. There's about a half dozen offensive tackle prospects in the mix to go in round one, so one of these players is bound to slide.
3. TEAM NEED: EDGE RUSHER
With the top of the 2025 NFL Draft appearing more likely to be quarterbacks chosen at No.1 and No.2 overall, Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter Jr. remains in play at No.4 overall. One storyline that emerged from the combine is that doctors found a stress reaction in his right foot. While no surgery has been deemed required at the moment, there were some discussions about a preemptive surgery to insert a screw in the foot. Something that could occur later down the road. Such a procedure would take about two months to rehab back from, so the Patriots are going to want to be sure to do their due diligence on Carter Jr., who is expected to be called back to Indy for a medical re-check in early April.
The addition of Harold Landry would not prevent the team from taking Carter Jr., should they feel comfortable with the medical report. The biggest free agency splash made by the Patriots, importing the former Boston College product back up north to Foxborough, to reunite with coach Mike Vrabel was a pure stroke of genius. Landry enjoyed a Pro Bowl season under Vrabel in 2021 with 12 sacks. He would later tear his ACL the following season but showed no ill effects, bouncing back in a major way, while registering 19.5 sacks over the past two years. A pass-rush tandem of Landry and Carter Jr. would suddenly turn a weakness into an area of strength.
Luckily, there is tremendous depth amongst this year's edge class. There's another Boston College pass-rusher in this year's draft expected to have next-level impact in Donovan Ezeiruaku, who brings an explosive first step, nonstop motor and long arms. Should Ezeiruaku still be hanging out on Day 2, the Patriots should look to pounce! Otherwise, a developmental mid-round target would be Oluwafemi Oladejo of UCLA. He flashed huge upside at the Senior Bowl, with an ideal frame, explosiveness and power. Keep on eye on a late round roll of the dice in small-school standout David Walker of Central Arkansas. Other diamonds in the rough would include combine snub Johnny Walker Jr. of Missouri who totaled nine and a half sacks this season, and Diwun Black of Temple, who began his career at Florida but ran into some academic eligibility issues at the start of the season.
4. TEAM NEED: CENTER
The sudden release of David Andrews creates a new void for New England to fill. When asked about the decision, Vrabel noted age, ability, durability, production and vision for the team moving forward. Andrews will be 33 years old and missed most of last season due to a shoulder injury. Las Vegas recently released 38-year-old Andre James, who could be one potential option. Otherwise, the Patriots may have to be on the lookout for a waiver wire add, or consider alternative draft options.
It is not considered a very strong center class this year. Top options would include Drew Kendall of Boston College and Jared Wilson of Georgia. However, with so many other gaps to fill, the Patriots would appear to be hard-pressed to invest a Day 2 pick required to secure such services. One prospect who could get pushed down to Day 3, is Ohio State middle man Seth McLaughlin. His stock was ascending prior to a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in November, which caused him to pull out of the Senior Bowl. McLaughlin was thought to have been a solid mid-round pick prior to the injury.
Looking for a sleeper? Try Middlebury small school prospect Thomas Perry. The D3 All-American took snaps at center during the East-West Shrine Bowl and won the majority of his one-on-one reps when matched up against the P4-caliber of competition. While he lacks size, he has a nasty makeup, which makes for a tenacious demeanor in the trenches. Lastly, Coastal Carolina anomaly Willie Lampkin is an interesting case study. Measuring in at 5-foot-10, 270-pounds (not a typo), the four-time All-Sun Belt selection more than held his own in Mobile against top-competition, despite giving up nearly a foot in size to some of his opponents.
5. TEAM NEED: CORNERBACK
The best possible option at No.4 would be Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, the cleanest player in the draft. A premier talent, Hunter owns innate ball skills, could start at cornerback, wide receiver, or both and would bring star attraction to Foxborough. Signing the versatile Carlton Davis was huge for stability, but it should not preclude the Patriots from Hunter. New England needs to accumulate building blocks. Hunter could start in the slot corner on defense and dual as wideout on offense to begin.
If not Hunter at No.4, then New England could wait until later in the draft to address the cornerback need. At a position that usually experiences high turnover, Jonathan Jones was a linchpin during his nine-year career with the team. He has since departed for the Commanders, so some depth is needed. One player in the draft who owns a similar skill-set would be Cobee Bryant of Kansas. It will be worth monitoring Bryant, as teams usually tend to wait a bit longer until the slotbacks come off the board.
Should Bryant be gone by Day 3, a few other players who could fit the Patriots mold would be O'Donnell Fortune of South Carolina, who impressed with his coverage skills and ball instincts at the East-West Shrine Bowl, winning Defensive MVP honors. along with Jabbar Muhammad of Oregon, who was a Senior Bowl participant. A late-round flier worth exploring would be Alijah Huzzie of North Carolina. He's a quick, gritty corner that has also been used as an occasional blitzer and would fit the Vrabel image.
6. TEAM NEED: RUNNING BACK
If we're being honest, the combination of Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson raise zero concern against opposing defensive coordinators. With three selections in the seventh round and a relatively deep running back class, it's a good year to try and catch lightning in a bottle. Holding out in free agency was the right thing to do, as there are countless options who will be available that are capable of coming in and changing up the backfield dynamics.
Michigan running back Donovan Edwards had high hopes entering his final season in Ann Arbor. The big-bodied back had somewhat of a lackluster performance but oozes potential. At 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, Edwards timed 4.44 in the forty-yard dash, with 23 bench press reps and 38" vertical jump, which screams size, speed and acceleration. The problem resides in his reluctance to hit the hole with authority. However, there are flashes of him exploding for big plays when he sees daylight. In addition, Edwards is one of the more refined pass-catchers amongst this year's running back class and even lined up as a slot receiver at times with the Wolverines.
The Patriots attended Rutgers pro day, where Kyle Monangai mysteriously opted to stand on his 4.60 forty-yard dash from the NFL Combine. While the speed shouldn't be a major concern, it could cause him slide, or possibly go undrafted altogther. However the hard-nosed runner owns the ability to break tackles and has been steady toting the rock in Piscataway as one of the more impressive backs in the Big Ten. Lastly, no one knows where Jacory Croskey-Merritt of Arizona will land. After sitting out this past season due to eligibility issues, the jitterbug back burned up the all-star game trails.
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