With mandatory minicamp finishing up last week shifting the focus to next month's training camp, there is still a lot for the Patriots to consider when building their roster for the 2024 season.
The new regime led by Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf has done an impressive job (mostly) in handling free agency and the draft, adding players who are immediate upgrades and should be contributors from day one, especially on offense.
However, a few positions remain questionable heading into the summer, like the offensive line, receiving corps, and the secondary, all of which could be improved before preseason begins in August.
If that's the case, the Patriots have plenty of cap space to fill the roster voids. Given how they've navigated in recent weeks, however, they might not be looking to make any blockbuster or beloved moves fans would be excited about.
That leaves unpopular players who might make their way to Foxboro this fall, and there are at least five that wouldn't be too surprising to hear the team take an interest in before that.
5 unpopular free agents the Patriots can still sign
LT David Bakhtiari
When looking at the Patriots' offensive roster, there is a clear opening to add a proper left tackle in one way or another. Having the opportunity to sign a talent like longtime Green Bay Packer David Bakhtiari would typically be too good to pass up.
But because he's coming off a severe knee injury that ended his 2023 season prematurely, forcing the NFC North team to release him after 11 seasons, signing him would be more risky than beneficial.
Not only that, but Bakhtiari has only played in 13 games over the last three seasons, suffering multiple injuries that kept him off the field more than on it. Given his injury history and his turning 33 in the first month of the season, it would be wise for the Patriots to look elsewhere for help at the position.
Unfortunately, few left tackles are available to sign at this point in the offseason, limiting New England's options. The new regime should have prioritized this earlier, but instead, they drafted two linemen in the draft in hopes they would be good enough.
That is typically not far-fetched and isn't unheard of from teams in a similar position. However, Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf look to have put all their eggs in Caedan Wallace's basket, who played right tackle throughout his college career, believing he can successfully make the position change to the left side.
It's still a bit early to know whether the rookie will be what the team needs, which will likely become more clear during training camp next month. Because of that, it might be even worse to sign Bakhtiari, as they would also be hoping he would revert to his previous form before injuries.
WR Hunter Renfrow
Like the offensive line, there is a lot of speculation about the Patriots adding more to their receiving corps before the 2024 season starts.
Despite drafting Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk, extending Kendrick Bourne, the expected bigger season from DeMario Douglas, and signing free agent K.J. Osborn, the team's weapons are considered less than ideal no matter who's in at quarterback.
A guy like Hunter Renfrow has been a name consistently connected to the Patriots for several years at this point, mainly because he felt like the type of receiver Bill Belichick would love. The former head coach had reportedly tried to sign him at least once over the last handful of years to no avail.
Now that he's no longer with the Raiders and remains a free agent heading into training camp, the new regime might have their chance to bring him in now. But as talented as he might be, he would not be a needle mover for the receiver room this season.
There's a clear need for a game-changing receiver on the team, a WR1 they have been lacking for years. Renfrow doesn't fit that bill for any team, so it would be better if Mayo and Wolf opted to trade for someone of that caliber instead.
FB Jakob Johnson
Perhaps the most underused position in the entire National Football League, fullbacks are a fan favorite in New England, stemming from James Develin's seven-year career with the team. He never had flashy numbers or was a significant part of Tom Brady's offense, but he showed up when called upon, especially during the 2018 season.
Because he retired after the 2019 season, Belichick tried bringing in a new fullback to become that next go-to secret weapon by signing Jakob Johnson.
Similar to Develin, though, Johnson was never fully integrated into the Patriots' offense in the way he maybe should have. Although he might not have nearly the same talent, they had an opportunity to try to use him in the way that the 49ers use Kyle Juszczyk.
In his three years in Foxboro, Johnson totaled just 13 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. He was a great addition as a blocker on the offensive line, which could come in handy this upcoming season with so many question marks surrounding the line.
But unless Mayo plans actually to utilize him as a fullback, it seems like a waste of signing.
DT Lawrence Guy
Looking at the Patriots' defensive roster, there aren't many holes that need to be dealt with before the season begins, but there is certainly room for more depth pieces to be added in case of catastrophe striking, which they experienced last year with several injuries.
One position that could afford some reassurance is defensive tackle, which is expected to be led by recently extended Christian Barmore and the hopefully returning Davon Godchaux.
Other names with promising futures could step up and make the need for more players somewhat less pressing, but it might not take much convincing for Wolf to consider bringing back a trusted veteran like Lawrence Guy, especially since he still remains unsigned.
The versatile defensive player spent seven years in New England and became one of the best run defenders during that time. He was as consistent as they come, too, missing just five games and helped lead the defense to new heights which helped the team win Super Bowl 53 in 2019.
Guy was a great part of the team when he was there, and although his experience would be a welcomed addition to the 2024 roster, Mayo and Wolf have made it very clear they want to build a young and hungry team to kick off the new era; that, unfortunately, means Guy wouldn't fit that identity.
CB Eli Apple
The Patriots defense is not at the top of the list of priorities regarding needing improvement, especially given who they extended and signed this offseason. However, the cornerback room could use some boosting after losing Myles Bryant, J.C. Jackson, and Jalen Mills.
Although Jackson has been a name that was speculated to return for the 2024 season, no movements have been made to make that happen. So a favorite to come back to New England has been Stephon Gilmore, who remains a free agent heading into training camp.
If that doesn't happen, the Patriots have other options to consider signing, one of whom is ten-year veteran and career journeyman Eli Apple. The 28-year-old last played for the Dolphins in 2023 when he was brought in as a replacement for Jalen Ramsey after he suffered a knee injury in the summer.
He played in just ten games during his short stint with the AFC East team and had a decent year, and he's now looking for the next team to play for, which could also be the sixth of his career.
The Patriots could look to Apple as a potential depth piece for the cornerback room led by Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones, which would be nice on paper. But looking at other free agents still available and even the potential of incorporating Marcus Jones after missing all of last season due to injury, there seem to be better options that would fit what the Patriots need.