Every new offseason, most of Patriots Nation holds out hope that it will finally be the year that Bill Belichick decides to throw a lot of money at some of the top available free agents that offseason.
Although, at this point in his tenure with the Patriots, it seems like wishful thinking, New England does have a projected $108,880,004 in cap space to spend in 2024, which may motivate GM Belichick to be a big spender.
With that, however, comes 30 internal free agents to hit the market. Some must be at the top of the priority list to re-sign. But it should still leave plenty of money to spend. With a fantastic class of free agents set to look for new contracts, especially wide receivers, there's no reason for the Patriots not to make some big moves.
Even though we don't know how the 2023 season will progress at this point, it's fair to assume that at least these six offensive players will remain the most desirable to sign with New England next offseason.
Mike Evans
Since the currently signed receivers in New England are yet to bring much excitement, signing an accomplished veteran like Mike Evans could solve a lot of issues offensively.
After failing to sign DeAndre Hopkins last month, it's clear Belichick was looking for the ultimate game-changing pass catcher to add the much-needed boost to the team. Evans can be exactly that and more, especially since his performance has broken records among wide receivers in league history.
Since signing with the Bucs in 2014, he has recorded 1,000 receiving yards every season. It's impressive enough as it is, but considering the number of quarterbacks Tampa has gone through over the years, it's more proof of how truly talented Evans is to be able to perform consistently, no matter the circumstances.
He spent the last three seasons as Tom Brady's go-to on the field, winning a Super Bowl in the first season the Bucs made the playoffs since he was drafted. And he was reliably productive in the postseason, despite the lack of experience in important games.
Because Evans' contract has three void years, allowing him to become a free agent next season, the Patriots need to prioritize speaking with him in hopes of signing him. He would quickly become the receiver the offense has needed over the last few years, especially for Mac Jones, who hasn't had the luxury of a true WR1 since joining the team in 2021.
Of course, we don't know how this upcoming year will go, as JuJu Smith-Schuster or another receiver on the team could break out and become the type of player Belichick has been looking for. But with Evans, he would be a tried and true offensive weapon that you know with certainty will live up to the hype, no questions asked.
Of the fellow free agent receivers set for 2024, Evans feels like the best receiver option for the Patriots to go after, even if he will be spendy .
Josh Jacobs
This may be a bit of a controversial choice since most don't believe in the idea of paying running backs. But Josh Jacobs becoming a free agent is incredibly enticing when considering his fit with the Patriots.
As the team currently stands, only Rhamondre Stevenson remains as a top back with the potential of an extension or re-sign when his rookie contract is up in 2025. He's taken on a more dominant role out of the backfield over the last two seasons and is primed to be the RB1 as long as he is on the team.
But Belichick has made it apparent that he wants to add another talented RB to the roster over the last several weeks to help lessen the load for Stevenson to carry on his own.
That could be where Jacobs comes in next year.
Jacobs could be the right guy for the job if the Patriots are willing to spend on a running back. He's the same age as Stevenson and nearly the same size, so there's no concern there, and he is an established dual-threat player, much like how Stevenson has developed since joining the Patriots.
Pairing the two together on the offense would be what dreams are made of. They would provide so many opportunities to mix up the playbook and confuse opponents that it's almost too good to be true.
The only problem Belichick will face is: 1. Jacobs will demand a hefty contract, and the head coach will have to decide if the running back is worth it, and 2. It will force him to decide on Stevenson's future much earlier than anticipated because it's unlikely they will pay both backs big money.
Tee Higgins
This is the most obvious answer of them all, given the calls for Belichick to make the trade for Tee Higgins earlier this year. If youth, production, and longevity are what the Patriots will be looking for in their next top receiver, there's no reason to look any further than him next year.
Despite the consensus believing the Bengals will probably not going to let Higgins walk in free agency, with most assuming they'll at least try to franchise tag him, they're going to be hard-pressed to find a way to pay him, Ja'Marr Chase, Joe Burrow, and others over the next few years, even with a steadily increasing salary cap.
That opens the door to pounce on Higgins when he becomes a free agent.
Unlike possible concerns with Evans' age, Higgins is 24 and entering just his fourth season in the league. In that time, he's already become a proven talent on the Bengals, even as the less prioritized option for Burrow since Chase took on that role when he was drafted a year later.
Adding a player like Higgins onto the offense would ensure Mac Jones has a player he could grow in the league with. Next year, both will have barely hit their strides in the NFL and could develop a rhythm and chemistry that would suit the team for years to come.
There is some debate regarding his status of being a true WR1, but he's still one of the best receivers in the game and will only get better with more experience. Plus, the Patriots will be equipped with the money to pay a top talent like Higgins, which is not something Belichick has been keen to do throughout his career. But maybe (hopefully) next year will finally be the right time for him to change that mindset.
T.J. Hockenson
With Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki becoming free agents in 2024, the Patriots must determine which veteran tight ends they'll need to add to their offensive lineup. Regardless if they choose to bring either internal player back on new contracts, looking into T.J. Hockenson's fit wouldn't be a bad idea.
After spending the first three years with the Lions, Hockenson was traded to the Vikings after playing seven games for Detroit last season. He quickly acclimated to his new team and played every remaining game of the year without needing time to get acquainted with the new playbook.
Although he hasn't been referred to as one of the best tight ends in the league throughout his career, he's become a consistent factor in the offenses he was a part of and stood out upon arriving in Minnesota, where he recorded 60 receptions for 519 yards and three touchdowns.
At just 26 years old, he will become a free agent for the first time next year. If he can have another great season in 2023, the Patriots may consider offering him a similar contract to Hunter Henry when he arrived in New England in 2021.
With Bill O'Brien back in the fold, prioritizing the tight end position is likely on the menu when going into the offseason. Hockenson would fit the bill with his size and production, but his potential is also an aspect to consider.
Derrick Henry
Can you really pass on the opportunity to sign a guy like Derrick Henry when given the chance? It seems like the answer to that would be a universal no.
Because of his position, many won't want the Patriots to sign him despite his obvious explosive playstyle and game-changing production. But given his age, it's possible the Patriots could get him for far cheaper than had he become available earlier in his career.
Henry is an absolute workhorse and has become the main event of the Titan's offense over the years, particularly in recent seasons. The three-time Pro Bowler has led the league in carries three times in the last four years, and in two of those, he also led in yards and touchdowns.
He doesn't appear to have slowed down as he's gotten older and is expected to continue his reign as the top offensive performer for Tennessee. It is assumed he will pick up where he left off last season, where he recorded the second-most carries and total yards in a season of his career.
Now that the Titans are entering a season with some question marks surrounding their offense, mainly at quarterback and receiver outside of DeAndre Hopkins, it seems foolish to believe they'd actually let Henry sign elsewhere when free agency begins, right?
Maybe, but rumors were floating around at the time of the combine that higher-ups were interested in potentially dealing Henry in free agency; it seems more certain that he will be exploring free agency for the first time next year.
If that's the case, the Patriots should at least inquire. Imagining a backfield of him and Stevenson is the dominant running back duo any team would dream of having, even if Henry comes in on a one-year rental.
Calvin Ridley
During the 2022 offseason, rumors swirled that the Falcons were open to trading receiver Calvin Ridley before the regular season began. Once team owner Arthur Blank confirmed the speculation was true, the Patriots began to be touted as one of the most likely teams to be interested in getting a deal done.
It wasn't surprising, given the state of the New England receiving corps for the season, and making the trade happen would've made a lot of sense at the time. But when it was announced the receiver was being suspended for the entire upcoming season, all bets were off, and the Patriots backed off any potential interest they had previously shown.
Fast forward to November of last year, and the Jaguars shocked the NFL world when they traded for Ridley despite his suspension. Although he wouldn't help the offense right away, his potential resonated with Jacksonville, and putting him in the lineup for Trevor Lawrence to work with was too tempting for them to pass up.
But as of right now, it's just a one-year rental.
Ridley is set to become a free agent in 2024 and, at just 28 years old, has a lot left to accomplish on the football field. He proved he could be the explosive option for an offense when Julio Jones dealt with several injuries during the 2020 season, totaling 90 receptions for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns, all of which (minus one score) were career highs.
Perhaps it's premature to call him one of the most desirable players to be signed by New England because he will have to prove himself as a competent and productive receiver throughout the upcoming season. But under the assumption he can do just that, exploring his fit for the Patriots shouldn't be off-limits.