What’s left on the Patriots’ free agency “to-do” list?
The New England Patriots have made some strides this offseason trying to fix their issues from last year, but there are still some items to take care of. I certainly hope that Bill Belichick is not done adding to the team.
Free agency got off to a slow start for the team, but they made some quality additions as the free agency period went on.
They signed tight end Mike Gesicki, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, and running back James rRobinson.
Those three additions are obviously not elite players, but should all have a positive impact on the offense.
They have also begun to retain some of their defensive free agents which is a good sign, but I think there are still three obvious things left to do for the Patriots.
What’s left on the Patriots’ free agency “to-do” list?
1. Add another starting caliber player at tackle
The team brought in Calvin Anderson and Riley Reiff at tackle this offseason so far. Both are spot starters, at best, but Reiff comes with the ability to play both tackle spots and has been in the NFL for over a decade.
Anderson is another swing tackle option having starts at both, but I still think New England needs to find a legitimate starter at one of the tackle spots before the 2023 NFL Draft comes around.
2. Trade for DeAndre Hopkins
Now that Brandin Cooks is off the table, the team should turn their focus to trading for DeAndre Hopkins who is on the Arizona Cardinals. I really don’t see a scenario where Hopkins isn’t moved, and I think New England needs to be all over this move.
If the return for Brandin Cooks is any indication, the Pats could have Hopkins on their team for pennies on the dollar.
3. Add a cornerback
The team did bring back stud cornerback Jonathan Jones on a two year deal, which was a great move, but the team does not have a true CB1 on their roster that could adequately match up against the WR1’s of opposing offenses.
At this point in free agency, teams aren’t going to find a true elite starter still on the market, but I’ve mentioned Marcus Peters several times on this website, and I think his veteran presence and ballhawking ability would do wonders for this secondary that did just lose Devin McCourty to retirement.
The secondary needs and infusion of talent, and Peters + a 2023 rookie would help quite a bit.