5 free agents the Patriots will regret not signing this offseason

With training camp just over a month away, the New England Patriots have areas that could have improved during free agency but didn't.

As the Patriots aim to recover from a disappointing 2023 season, their lack of depth and talent in certain areas may pose a challenge. This article will analyze the impact of the free agents who the Patriots did not sign and how it may affect the team's prospects for the upcoming season.

One of the team's main weaknesses was at the left tackle position. Although they signed free agent Chukwuma Okorafor, he has mainly played at right tackle. They also drafted Caedan Wallace from Penn State, and there's talk of him being able to switch to left tackle, but he played at right tackle in college. Wallace has recently been practicing right tackle with Onwenu at Right Guard.

5 free agents the Patriots will regret not signing this offseason

Tyron Smith 

Considering the team-friendly deal he signed with the Jets, this is a big miss. The New York Jets signed Smith to  $6.5 guaranteed. Smith spent 13 seasons with Dallas after being drafted ninth overall out of USC.

The incentive-heavy agreement is an excellent deal for the Jets and for an offensive left tackle-needy team like the Patriots. Instead, the Patriots opted not to pursue arguably the best tackle available and didn't address the position in the draft. 

Jonah Williams 

Williams was considered a good fit for the Patriots and one of the top tackles available in free agency this year.

However, he signed a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals for a reported $30 million, with $19 million guaranteed. Although $15 million annually is a significant amount, it's less than what franchise left tackles typically earn. Williams, a first-round pick in 2019, has started 59 games over the last four seasons. He could have been a viable option for New England.

There are still some free-agent left tackles available. Based on injuries and recent performance, they could get one of the available guys for a team-friendly deal with performance bonuses. At this point, they have nothing to lose. Bring in an experienced tackle for a lower-money contract, and if they stay healthy and play a certain number of snaps, it would be heavily weighted with bonuses. 

Another position they could've used some additional depth and veteran leadership for is the secondary. 

Kendall Fuller  

The Patriots would benefit from a veteran cornerback opposite second-year Christian Gonzalez. Fuller was one of the top players available after Jaylon Johnson re-signed with the Bears and L'Jarius Sneed was traded to the Titans.

Fuller agreed to a contract worth up to $16.5 million with the Miami Dolphins, who released Xavien Howard earlier this offseason. 

Justin Simmons

Simmons is a free agent who is still available. He is a versatile player who was drafted in the third round out of Boston College in 2016. He excels more as a free safety than an in-the-box player.

According to CBS Sports, 54% of his over 2,000 NFL snaps have been at free safety, with the rest split between the slot and in the box. He has been recognized with second-team All-Pro honors four times over the past five seasons. Standing 6'2", he has good size, speed, and solid tackling skills.

Stephon Gilmore 

New England is a good fit for him because of his potential contributions to his former team and the opportunity to share his NFL experience with second-year player Christian Gonzalez. Gilmore is very familiar with the defensive coordinator, DeMarcus Covington, who was an assistant when he was in New England. Additionally, Gilmore's former teammate, Dont'a Hightower, is now the team's inside linebackers coach.

The wide receiver position is another area that could have used some help, but there were not many great options in free agency. Calvin Ridley was available, but he was the only free agent who had a chance of possibly being a number-one receiver. Given the price tag and the depth in the draft at receiver, it was wise for the Patriots to address that position in the NFL draft. Whether or not they made good choices at receiver remains to be seen, as we are still a month away from training camp.

This is a crucial season for the team to demonstrate progress in its rebuilding. The second-toughest schedule in the league this year has added another hurdle to the process.

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