Patriots: 4 biggest holes New England needs to fill this offseason

This offseason is one full of questions and excitement for New England Patriots fans.

With reports that Bill Belichick is going to be extremely and uncharacteristically aggressive, it sounds like the Patriots are ready to take advantage of their over $60 million in cap space and significant draft capital.

This organization needs it, with more holes to fill than ever, for both currently empty positions or positional depth.

The Patriots may have surprised some teams with how competitive they remained despite their lack of talent in many areas, but that is what you get when you have the greatest coach of all time in Bill Belichick.

If you know Belichick, you know that he’s been planning out this offseason since the last snap of Week 17 and is ready for all possible scenarios.

Let’s look at the biggest holes the Patriots have to address this offseason.

4. Linebacker

Some exciting news came down the wire late last week when it was reported that prominent Patriots opt outs are set to return. On the defensive side of the ball, that news brings a couple important veterans back who will help increase leadership and depth at several positions.

Debatably, the biggest impact upon return should be that of two-time Pro Bowler and long-time Patriots stalwart Dont’a Hightower. He will join a young Patriots linebacking core that went through some growing pains this past season.

The Patriots defense is far from their biggest worry, but there is one position that could use some reinforcements.

Hightower will certainly be a boost and the young players will hopefully take a step, but it would still be nice to bring in an immediate impact guy that has experience and played in the 2021 season — potentially even in the draft if Micah Parsons slips.