There's a new regime and a new boss in Foxborough: Mike Vrabel. He has the responsibility of remaking this Patriots roster. Offseasons are when good or great football teams are crafted. The team then plays out the games as a result. The Pats need talent all over the place.
As the team approaches the all-important free agency period with lots of cash in its pocket, four key needs must be addressed. Two are on offense, and two are on the defensive side of the ball.
Here, we'll focus on those four positions. Some may be addressed in free agency, and some in the draft. They are absolute needs, or expect more losing seasons, the staple in Foxborough since the ill-advised brooming of Tom Brady in 2019. First, we look to the offense.
Patriots need to add multiple wide receivers and offensive tackles this offseason
The Patriots need to fortify two positions on offense above all others. They're wide receiver and left tackle. The Patriots' wide receivers group in 2024 was ranked last in the NFL by Pro Football Focus prior to the season. They did little to dispel that ranking.
Other than Pop Douglas and the emerging Kayshon Boutte, no one else did much of anything. Douglas led the team along with tight end Hunter Henry with 66 catches. Boutte had 43. The room needs a clear-out.
Since the Patriots' track record of drafting wideouts is abysmal, free agency is the way to go. The prime target should be Tee Higgins from Cincinnati. Higgins is the best on the market, but he'll be costly. Regardless, the Pats should do whatever it takes to land him.
In 2024, Higgins had 73 catches for 911 yards and 10 TDs in only 12 games. He immediately is your WR1 and teaming with Drake Maye would likely lead to him logging a 100-catch season. Higgins is the perfect target, and only just turned 26 years old,
He's experienced with five years in the league, and he's big and talented. He's off-season target No. 1. Additionally, the Pats need to add another receiver, preferably in free agency. Yet, sign Tee Higgins and no one else, and free agency still garners an A+ grade.
Next on offense is the left tackle position. Adding a top starter like Ronnie Stanley in free agency would be great. Regardless, the optimal way to address the position is high in the draft. The Patriots need to devote two of their top five picks to left tackles. One can always play on the right.
If Vrabel decides to pass on edge Abdul Carter or WR/CB Travis Hunter if they slip to the fourth pick, he has two options. He can stand pat and take the best left tackle in the draft, Will Campbell from LSU at pick No. four. He's a 10-year plug-and-play starter. Alternatively, they might trade down for more picks, but only if they can still land Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Either strategy works if they can get Banks after trading down. It's risky. They should add another left tackle in the first three rounds. Those are the two top offensive positions to target this offseason. Other positions include guard, tight end, and running back. They need help everywhere.
Patriots top 2 needs on defense
On defense, the position that screams for addressing is the edge. They now have none. The top option is to draft Penn State's Abdul Carter if he falls to pick No. four. The opportunity cost is high. You'd have to forego the left tackle or the multi-faceted Hunter, but Carter may be the best player in the draft.
After Carter, since the position is now totally bare, they'd need to add another edge with another of their picks in the first three rounds or two if no Carter. This is essential if they haven't added in free agency. It's a huge but necessary investment.
A second position on defense needing bolstering is defensive tackle. Christian Barmore's status is uncertain due to a medical issue. After hopefully finally deploying Keion White inside, he'll team with returning nose tackle Davon Godchaux.
Godchaux is an overpaid space eater who doesn't make plays. They need a top young tackle to push Godchaux who won't likely be around after this season. Drafting another DT is essential unless acquired in free agency or by trade. Add cornerback and safety to the list of needs. The team is thin almost everywhere.
Those are the top four positions that need to be this off-season by the Patriots. Not doing so will be a major gaffe by the new personnel team, which still looks a lot like the old one. Regardless, the expectations are high with Mike Vrabel and his hand-picked personnel guy, Ryan Cowden, running the show.