With the first day of the legal tampering period in the books, the Patriots have already made a big splash yet still have plenty of moves left to make. The focus on day one was clearly the defense, as nearly every signing was a defensive player, including the biggest contract in team history going to DT Milton Williams.
Despite that, the resounding reaction to all the new players joining the Patriots roster was predominately positive, which is far different than what it has been in recent years. Mike Vrabel and Co. were willing and able to spend their cap space and did so on Monday and will now go into day two with more holes to fill, especially on offense.
Fortunately, there are still a handful of solid players they can sign before free agency officially begins on Wednesday at 4 pm EST.
The Patriots have some quality options to sign on the second day of the NFL's legal tampering period
- Wide receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen
Upgrading the receiving corps was expected to be a primary focus of this offseason, just like last year, with the seemingly best options being players up for trade. However, some intriguing additions could be immediately signed, which is likely what led to the decision to bring in former Bills receiver Mack Hollins.
Because he was the only receiver they signed on Monday, others who could be good fits remain unsigned. The most prominent name is DeAndre Hopkins, who chose to play for the Titans in 2023 over the Patriots when Mike Vrabel was the head coach. Since a connection to someone on the coaching staff has been a common denominator among most of the free agents signed so far, that puts Hopkins near the top of the list.
Then there's Amari Cooper, coming off a season spent with the Browns and Bills and Keenan Allen, who had an impressive year with the Bears. Both have the potential to be good options for Drake Maye to work with if Vrabel and Co. want to add another veteran to the group.
- Fullback: Kyle Juszcyk
In a shocking move, the 49ers will reportedly release longtime fullback Kyle Juszcyk this week, making him available for a team like the Patriots to revisit the position for their team.
For much of Bill Belichick's tenure in New England, the offense had a fullback to utilize when the time was right, with the last player being Jakob Johnson. Although they were never heavily used in the passing game on game day, they were treated as a bonus lineman or a sneaky player to throw a touchdown to, which could be of interest for the current coaching staff with Juszcyk.
He's as solid as they come and has been a super reliable player for the 49ers throughout his career. So if the Patriots could get him in the door for the right price, it could be another great move in the right direction for the offense.
- Offensive line: Cam Robinson
Besides wide receiver, the offensive line would inevitably be one of the most important groups to upgrade this offseason. That has led to the Patriots being one of the favorites to pick a left tackle in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and that might be what they plan to do based on their lone lineman addition this week.
With most of the best prospects already signing with new teams, it leaves just Cam Robinson as an option to sign for next year. He has the experience needed at left tackle that the Patriots desperately need and although he isn't the player he once was, he would be quite the upgrade over what they had at left tackle last season.
If they miss out on signing Robinson, it's almost a guarantee that they're planning to add their next starter through the draft, especially since blockbuster trades for offensive linemen rarely happen.
- Defensive line: Joey Bosa
Although the defense has been bulked up so far, there is still room to add a player like Joey Bosa, who the Chargers released over the weekend. The 29-year-old spent the first nine years of his career with the AFC West team and is now looking for a fresh start somewhere, which could be New England.
There is some speculation that he would like to play with his brother, Nick, on the 49ers, which might make it more difficult for the Patriots to sign him. However, they made the impossible happen with Milton Williams, who was reportedly nearing a deal with the Panthers before Vrabel swooped in and offered a bigger contract to steal him away.
Since money talks, there is a good chance Bosa would choose New England over somewhere else, leaving the door open for the Patriots to sign the five-time Pro Bowler to really put their defensive line over the top.