The most important offseason in recent Patriots' history is in full swing, and on the first day of the legal free agency tampering period, Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf hit plenty of home runs.
A roster in dire need of upgrades certainly got plenty of them, headlined by the blockbuster signing of defensive tackle Milton Williams from Philadelphia.
The defense was certainly the focal point for the Patriots in the early stages of free agency, and while the offensive line got its first needed upgrade with the signing of Morgan Moses from the Jets, the message Vrabel is sending is that they're not going to ask quarterback Drake Maye to try to be a hero in his second year.
Vrabel was one of the anchor points of a defense-first Patriots' team that won Super Bowl XXXVI in Tom Brady's sophomore season, and you have to like what New England did in the first several hours of the tampering period. There are plenty of good grades to be dished out here.
Grading the Patriots' free agent signings on Day 1of the legal tampering period
DT Milton Williams
Williams was one of the anchors of a Philadelphia defense that made life miserable for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. What makes this even better is that Carolina appeared to be the frontrunner for Williams before New England swooped in and offered him $26 million a year over four years.
The Patriots had the most money to spend - $126 million to be exact - and Vrabel hit a grand slam by bringing Williams to New England. If Christian Barmore is healthy, those two guys will make the Patriots' defensive line one of the best in the AFC.
Grade: A+
CB Carlton Davis III
Davis was one of the top cornerbacks available, and Christian Gonzalez now has an equally-talented partner opposite him in New England's secondary.
Davis had a strong season in Detroit - two interceptions and 11 pass breakups - before his season was cut short by a broken jaw after 13 games.
Assuming Jonathan Jones will move on in free agency, this move immediately bolsters New England's secondary.
Grade: A
LB Harold Landry
A guy who played for Vrabel in Tennessee, the Patriots' first splash of free agency was to add the veteran pass rusher from the Titans.
New England's pass rush was an unheralded weak spot of its roster a season ago, and Landry gives the Patriots speed and versatility on the edge.
Grade: A-
LB Robert Spillane
The Patriots continued to upgrade their linebacking core by snatching Spillane from the Raiders, agreeing to a three-year deal with the 28-year-old.
His 158 tackles - 76 solo - ranked him fourth among linebackers across the league last season, and Spillane will fortify this position opposite Ja'Wahun Bentley, whom the Patriots hope can stay healthy after he missed most of last year with an injury.
Grade: A-
OT Morgan Moses
The Patriots needed to address the offensive line and are off to a good start with the inking of the former Jets' tackle to a three-year deal.
Moses is 34 years old and has been in the league for 11 seasons, so he brings a wealth of versatility and stability to an offensive line that desperately needs it. Moses has played right tackle for most of his career, but is likely the first rebuilding block in front of Maye.
Grade: A
TE Austin Hooper
Bringing back Hooper wasn't a splashy signing but an essential one.
The veteran tight end, who had three touchdown catches for New England last year, not only has chemistry with Maye but gives the Patriots an underrated tight end duo along with Hunter Henry.
We all know Josh McDaniels loves to utilize tight ends in his offense, so expect quite a few double tight-end sets featuring Henry and Hooper next season.
Grade: B+
QB Josh Dobbs
There has been chatter that the Patriots have been interested in trading Joe Milton III this offseason, so it was imperative that New England added to its quarterback room.
Dobbs is a reliable backup who has started 15 games and gives the Patriots a little bit of veteran experience in a quarterback room with two second-year guys.
Grade: B-
DT Khyiris Tonga
The Patriots' defensive line is significantly better than it was last season, and Tonga is a good depth signing.
The 338-pounder gives New England more flexiblity at the position, especially after Davon Godchaux was traded to New Orleans last week. Look for Tonga to be a solid situational piece.
Grade: B-
WR Mack Hollins
The Patriots didn't make any wide receiver splashes on day one, but the signing of Hollins represents a veteran who played for McDaniels with the Raiders in 2022.
Hollins has bounced around. The Patriots will be his fifth team since 2021, and he spent last season with Buffalo. He did find the end zone five times last year, and at 6'4", he could give Maye a viable red zone target.
Assuming the Patriots continue to upgrade at this position, Hollins could be a nice depth piece.
Grade: C+