The New England Patriots needed to upgrade two major areas this offseason above all others: pass rushers and solid offensive linemen. In sack-prevention, they had mixed results.
They added guard Alijah Vera-Tucker but traded up to draft offensive left tackle Caleb Lomu with their first-round pick to further boost Maye's protection. In sack production, they also had mixed results.
The team swapped free agent edges, allowing K'Lavon Chaisson to depart while signing edge Dre'Mont Jones. On offense, they made a top addition in the draft with Illinois' sackman, Gabe Jacas.
Yet, with Harold Landry III's medical situation still uncertain, the team still could use an added pass rusher. Bleacher Report's Moe Moton lists the best free agents still available, and an edge who'd be a perfect fit for the Patriots is Jadeveon Clowney.
The Patriots still need to bolster the edge ahead of the 2026 season
The NFL game revolves largely around sacks. How well you prevent them on your side and how well you deliver them on your opponents are always key determinants in any tilt. That was painfully obvious in Super Bowl LX when the Patriots were out-sacked by the Seahawks 6-1. Add three offensive turnovers, and that game and the Patriots' chances were history.
The Patriots could still use help on the edge, and Moton has ID'd the best remaining free agents, and one would be a great signing for the Patriots: Jadeveon Clowney.
"By now, teams know what to expect out of Jadeveon Clowney. He'll rack up close to 10 sacks and strengthen the run defense. Last season, Clowney led the Dallas Cowboys' Micah Parsons-less pass rush with 8.5 sacks. He finished third on the team in pressures with 22. Because of Clowney's ability to disrupt run plays in the backfield, he's more than a designated pass-rusher. The 33-year-old has recorded at least nine tackles for loss in three consecutive seasons.
Over the last four years, Clowney has bounced around the league, playing for four different teams, though he can be one of the final pieces to a championship-level defense. If Clowney avoids injury, he can play more than 50 percent of the snaps on even and odd-man fronts. The 12-year veteran may be the highest earner among available free agents."
Clowney's 8.5 sacks would have tied Landry in sacks for the 2025 Super Bowl-bound Patriots. Even at age 33, he'd be a force to deploy along with Landry (if he's healthy), Jones, and the rookie Jacas. And Jacas couldn't intern with a much better player than Clowney.
The 12-year veteran has 66.5 sacks to his credit in his 12-year career, including the 8.5 for Dallas last season. A playmaker, he also had four passes defended, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries for the Cowboys last season.
It should be obvious that the Patriots are an injury away from a crisis on the edge. That should force them to add to the position now. Both former Bills, Joey Bosa and Jadeveon Clowney, are available if the money is right.
The Patriots have cash to spend, and they should spend some of it on a sack-producing edge like Clowney.
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