The 2025 offseason is one of upmost importance for the Patriots.
In the wake of a 4-13 finish and the last-place slot in the AFC East that came with it, the Patriots are already off to a solid start in terms of upgrades in the hiring of Mike Vrabel as head coach and bringing back Josh McDaniels to guide the offense.
But even the best of the best, like Vrabel and McDaniels, can only do so much coaching with a roster with so many holes, and the Patriots have a lot of them to plug up. Between the draft and free agency, there's no room for error for the Patriots, especially with a talented quarterback on a rookie salary heading into his second season.
The best ways for the Patriots to improve their 2025 receiving corps
1. Upgrading of the wide receiver room in free agency
Maye had a solid rookie season. It's obvious he's going to be the QB1 in New England for years to come. The trouble was, in 2024, his weapons were arguably the worst in the NFL. The Patriots haven't had a true WR1 since Randy Moss was here. Maye needs a big target who can not only stretch the field, but can take pressure off younger guys like DeMario Douglas and Ja'Lynn Polk.
Tee Higgins will command a lot of money in free agency and DeAndre Hopkins has ties to Vrabel, but if the Patriots can't get either of those guys, they have the draft flexiblity to trade for vetearns like Tyreek Hill or A.J. Brown, the latter of whom played for Vrabel in Tennessee.
2. No draft busts!
Aside from Maye, New England's 2024 draft class was underwhelming at best. Armed with the fourth pick in the 2025 draft, the Patriots can't afford to swing and miss. Colorado's Travis Hunter and Penn State's Abdul Carter are the two top players in this draft and represent areas in which New England needs upgrades.
If neither of those guys are available at No. 4, the Patriots could explore trading back further into the first round to acquire more assets, with the quarterback-needy Raiders looking like a viable partner.
3. Keep the quarterback upright
Whether in free agency or the draft, the offensive line is an area that clearly needs to be addressed. You can't have Maye constantly running for his life. There was too much inconsistency with that unit in 2024, and left tackle is a position that is certainly a priority for the Patriots this offseason. They can't miss there.
Vrabel is a guy who preaches physicality and winning in the trenches, so he won't allow that to be an issue in 2025. Will Campbell and Kelvin Banks are the two best offensive linemen in an otherwise mediocre 2025 draft class up front.
Winning the offseason rarely punches a team's ticket to a Super Bowl. But if the Patriots want to return to playing meaningful games in January and February, they must be picky with who they choose to pay this offseason.