Decisions on who the Patriots will be re-signing in free agency might happen sooner rather than later by Mike Vrabel, who'll be seeking to remake much of his roster. The Pats have 17 free agents, and most, including some surprises, can be allowed to walk. Yet, even in a massive rebuilding, there are a few whom Vrabel should conditionally re-sign.
"Conditionally," of course, means if the price is right. None of the four suggested players is a break-the-bank or even dent-it type of player. Yet, all have shown some ability and, if it's cost-effective, should be brought back as backups. None are starters, with one possible exception.
he's still a backup. The other three are roster types and primarily backups; let's look at these four players. Only one is on offense, and he's one of the best of the bunch, but still a backup. The other three are roster types, and primarily backups though one may just have starting potential.
One Patriots' offensive free agent should be brought back
The Patriots are set at starting tight end with reliable Hunter Henry. Henry is a bona fide high-level NFL tight end with the stats to prove it. While he'll never be compared to Patriot all-time great Rob Gronkowski, he's still a solid starter. Behind Henry in 2024 was a one-year free agent signee, Austin Hooper.
Hooper is a nine-year veteran on his fifth team. The 6'4", 254-pounder will turn 31 during the season. He caught over 70 passes in two seasons in his prime in Atlanta. He's past that now, but in 2024, for the Pats, he still logged 45 catches for 476 yards and three TDs. He qualifies as a solid backup to Henry and if he can be signed to a decent, maybe 2-year, team-friendly deal, it makes sense.
His signing, however, doesn't diminish the need for the Patriots to draft a young tight end for the future. One who fits the bill and would probably be a third-or-fourth rounder is big Oregon pass-catcher, Terrance Ferguson. He's the type of talent the Patriots can groom to take over the No. One spot.
3 defensive players who the Pats should re-sign
Two serviceable 2024 Patriots players who should be re-signed if they sign veteran-minimum deals are defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and cornerback Alex Austin. Pharms is a serviceable backup to the presumptive starters Christian Barmore, Keion White, and Davon Godchaux.
The 6'2", 300-pound Pharms will turn 29 during the season but is only a two-year veteran. In 2024, he notched 33 total stops with five quarterback hits, and four tackles for loss. Pharms won't remind anyone of Vince Wilfork, but he'll probably be happy with a veteran-minimum deal, and he's worth it.
Next up is cornerback Alex Austin. Austin is a 23-year-old, two-year veteran signed by the Patriots in 2023. In 2024, he played in nine games for the Pats, starting three. He had nine total stops, a tackle for loss, and a solid five passes defended.
The Patriots need to add talent at the corner somewhere in the offseason, especially since it's advisable to cut ties with long-time veteran Jonathan Jones. Austin will almost certainly play for the veteran minimum, and he has potential. Vrabel should bring him back.
The final free agent who should be re-signed is Christian Elliss. The 26-year-old, 6'2", 230-pound linebacker has been around Foxborough since 2023. Last year, Elliss had a breakout season. He played in 16 games, starting three, and had some eye-opening stats.
He compiled 80 total tackles, five quarterback hits, an interception, a pass defended, a forced fumble and recovery, and 1.5 sacks. He had a superb season and earned a new contract, not just the veteran minimum in this case. During the 2024 pre-season, the reaction was, "This guy can play a little bit." He then proceeded to make good on that showing during the regular season.
Elliss is a keeper who merits an extension. It would be a mistake for Vrabel to let him leave. He may just nail down a permanent starting role, to boot. Those are four choices among the Patriots' free agents they should keep. Vrabel could do a lot worse than re-signing them all.