Three things the Patriots must do in 2023 free agency
The New England Patriots have a crucial free agency period ahead of them, and three things stick out as things they must do. Going backwards from 2021 to 2022 has created a more dire situation for the team.
However, they have the 14th overall pick and $50 million in cap space at their disposal. This has all the makings of another aggressive and active free agency period for the team, which is something that will probably happen, given the circumstances.
What are three crucial things the team must do in the 2023 free agency period?
Three things the Patriots must do in 2023 free agency
Re-sign Jakobi Meyers
Perhaps the most important thing in their to-do list is to re-sign Jakobi Meyers, who has been one of their most consistent players since his rookie year in 2019. He was undrafted and instantly found himself a crucial part of the Patriots’ offense.
He isn’t an elite receiver, but he’s a very reliable number two and has earned a handsome payday from the team. They would be crazy to not re-sign him, as the wide receiver room needs a boost anyway, but all of the boost they have now is largely due to Meyers.
Add bodies at tackle
The free agent tackle market is not great, but it’s something. At the very least, the team should add at least one semi-quality body at each tackle spot. Right tackle Billy Turner is a free agent and someone the team could add for cheap.
Riley Reiff, who can play both tackle spots, would also be a solid get for the team as well. If they wanted to shoot for the top prize, they could throw a bunch of money at 49ers’ right tackle Mike McGlinchey if he hits the open market.
If they are unable to get one of the top players at the tackle position, adding more bodies should be the move.
Add at cornerback
They also must add at cornerback, because that is the weakest part of the defense. Marcus Jones, Jack Jones, and Jon Jones are a decent Jones’ trio, but nothing to write home about. If they could try to get some type of production similar to what JC Jackson gave them, that would be ideal.
Marcus Peters is a ballhawk and is a free agent at the end of the year. He could be an option for the team. James Bradberry is also a free agent. There are other names like Bradley Roby and Emmanuel Moseley who are free agents.
There aren’t any elite cornerback free agents on the market this year, so it’s a position of need to target in the draft as well, but adding in free agency is a must.