In their first offseason without Bill Belichick since 1999, the New England Patriots find themselves at a crossroads. They are coming off their worst performance in more than 30 years. Eliot Wolf is calling the shots in the front office. Jerod Mayo is the new head coach.
The good news? New England boasts an estimated $79 million in room under the 2024 NFL salary cap. The bad news? They have a ton of holes to fill. That includes the all-important quarterback position with Mac Jones likely headed out of town here soon.
While quarterback has been the talk of New England, other areas must be addressed. More protection from the offensive line, help on defense and wide receiver are three areas of utmost concern.
Here, we check in on how the Patriots should utilize their excess of cap room to at least build a competiitve team this season while looking to the future.
Related: Top NFL free agents of 2024
Who should the New England Patriots target in NFL free agency?
A team in New England’s situation can go one of two ways. It could add veteran players on short-term deals to create cap flexibility when the team is able to compete again. It could also go the route of adding young, high-upside players on front-loaded long-term deals. Here is a look at five options.
Christian Wilkins, defensive tackle
Stealing a 28-year-old defensive cornerstone from a division rival in free agency. That wouldn’t be the entire thought process. But it certainly would help. This former Miami Dolphins first-round pick recorded career highs in QB hits (23) and sacks (nine) a season ago. He’s dominant against both the run and the pass. That two-way ability would be an absolute boon next to stud youngster Christian Barmore on the Patriots’ defensive line.
Related: 4 best Baker Mayfield landing spots, including the New England Patriots
Jonah Williams, offensive tackle
New England already did add former Pittsburgh Steelers starting tackle Chukwuma Okorafor to the mix ahead of NFL free agency. But he’s more of a depth option. What we do know is that Trent Brown, Riley Reiff and Mike Onwenu are all free agents. Heck, the Patriots have needs at all offensive line positions outside of center and left guard. That’s where Williams comes into play. The former Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick is still only 26 years old. He has started all 59 games in which he’s appeared in four seasons. That includes both left and right tackle. This would fit the model of adding young, high-upside players in free agency.
Gardner Minshew, quarterback
Even if New England adds a quarterback like LSU’s Jayden Daniels with the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it will need to find a veteran. The team has already been linked to a reunion with Jacoby Brissett. But we like the idea of adding Minshew to the mix as a stopgap starter while a youngster learns the nuances of the NFL. As underrated as they come, Minshew has thrown 59 touchdowns compared to 24 interceptions during his career. He could keep the team afloat in 2024.
Related: New England Patriots set to target Dallas Cowboys star in NFL free agency
Gabe Davis, wide receiver
The New England Patriots are going to have to revamp their entire wide receiver room this offseason. Kendrick Bourne and Jalen Reagor are free agents. New England is listening to offers for DeVante Parker. This leaves JuJu Smith-Schuster and Demario Douglas with pretty much nothing else at wide receiver. Still only 24, signing Davis from the division-rival Buffalo Bills would be a coup. He’s put up 1,582 yards at a clip of 17.0 yards per reception over the past two seasons. He can take the top off the defense. That’s very much needed in New England right now.
Chase Young, EDGE
Speaking of being young and having high upside, this former No. 2 overall pick of Washington checks both boxes. He’s still only 24 years old and has shown some flashes. Splitting time with the Commanders and San Francisco 49ers last season, Young recorded 15 QB hits and 7.5 sacks. It certainly would pay to see what Jerod Mayo could do with this underperforming and talented young edge rusher.