The New England Patriots are among the best-positioned teams going into the offseason. Coming off a season that exceeded expectations, the Patriots have the cap space, draft picks, and foundation to continue improving the roster.
While big-ticket items like A.J. Brown and George Pickens could become available this offseason, adding supplementary players could do New England a world of good.
Given Mike Vrabel's affinity for power football from his Tennessee days, adding players that fit that bill could be the profile New England looks for in their under-the-radar additions in free agency.
The Patriots could look to add these under-the-radar free agents
RB Najee Harris, L.A. Chargers
Projected Contract: Veteran's Minimum-$2.5 million (Heavily Incentived)
Many may have forgotten Harris ever even signed with the Chargers this past offseason after he tore his Achilles in Week 3. Despite taking just 15 carries across three games, he rushed for a respectable 4.1 YPC and had 3 catches.
Is he the player he was in Pittsburgh? No, but in New England, he wouldn't have to be.
The Chargers selected Omarion Hampton in the first round and have an excellent second option in Kimani Vidal. Harris seems likely to hit the open market, and while he may be in search of a starting opportunity to revitalize his career, New England would be wise to add depth to their backfield.
A deal for Harris would likely be the veteran's minimum with incentives, a low-risk contract for a running back coming off a major injury. At 6-foot-1 and 242 pounds, the former Alabama star is a wrecking ball when healthy. He eclipsed 1,000 yards every season in Pittsburgh, and that's the type of upside worth looking into for running back depth.
If Harris can't find other opportunities, solidifying the backfield via the four-time 1,000-yard rusher could be an excellent move.
TE Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Projected Contract: $9-12 million
Goedert may return to Philadelphia, and he's far from an unknown commodity. He had 11 touchdowns from 60 catches this year with Philadelphia, five of which came in his last four games.
Most would see Hunter Henry come off a career year and wonder why tight end is a need, but Josh McDaniels' bread and butter is 12 personnel. Austin Hooper is an impending free agent and had just 16 catches during the regular season. While he isn't a minus as a second option, he could be upgraded upon.
Adding a player like Goedert, who is an exceptional blocker as well as a red-zone threat, would give the Patriots one of the league's best tight-end duos. While the position is an under-the-radar need more so than Goedert specifically, the impact of a second tight end would be felt by opponents in 2026.
Cole Kmet and Dawson Knox have also been mentioned as cap casualty candidates, so the Patriots adding a veteran to play second fiddle to Henry could be a move they opt to make.
OL Brady Christensen, Carolina Panthers
Projected Contract: $3-5 million per year
The need for offensive line depth in the NFL is constant. The Patriots featured a starting five in 2025 far better than the year prior, but uncertainties remain. Will Campbell's subpar playoff performances have drawn attention, while Morgan Moses isn't a lock to return next season, as he turns 35 in March.
Garrett Bradbury may be released in favor of Jared Wilson, making the move to center, potentially leaving a void at left guard. If Bradbury were to be moved on from, it's likely New England would use meaningful assets, whether money or draft picks, to fill the hole, but adding further depth remains a necessity.
Ben Brown was inked to an extension during the season, but Vederian Lowe is an impending free agent. Thayer Munford and Marcus Bryant have yet to prove they can be starters, so adding to the line should be a priority regardless of Lowe's future.
Enter Brady Christensen, a former third-round pick from BYU with 34 starts over five seasons. Like Harris, he also tore his ACL this past season, but that shouldn't dissuade New England from targeting a versatile lineman with experience in every position along the line.
He has over 1,400 career snaps at guard, but played 62% of his snaps as a center in 2024 and has over 500 career tackle snaps. The 29-year-old has been one of the league's best utility men over the last half-decade.
While there's little doubt New England will have interest in making big-ticket signings and trades, adding under-the-radar offensive players could offer them the depth they need to repeat their 2025 feat.