The Patriots were not as active in free agency as many in New England were hoping, especially with so many roster holes needing to be addressed and the new regime being equipped with some of the most cap space in the league to fix the team.
They clearly prioritized re-signing their most vital in-house free agents, which was a great decision given which players were brought back. But it seemed they negated the need to sign new talent to move the team onto a winning path.
Because Bill Belichick was ousted before the official start of the offseason, how Jerod Mayo and Co. would navigate free agency was expected to be different, even more so when the new head coach exclaimed his desire to "burn some cash."
Unfortunately, those words have come back to haunt him, and he has attempted to redefine what he meant since their actions didn't match that sentiment. It's not gone over well, as their free agency decisions have been less than exciting, but some of their additions, although mostly on short-term contracts, could be secretly good for the 2024 season.
Because so many new names have been added to the team and so much disappointment surrounds who they are, let's award letter grades to each new signing.
Grading every new signing Patriots made during free agency
OT Chukwuma Okorafor: (1 year, $4 million)
Outside of improving the receiving corps, one of the priorities for the offense this offseason was adding depth to the offensive line. With Trent Brown and Mike Onwenu heading to free agency, the team was left with no starting tackles on either side, which didn't bode well for an already struggling offensive line.
Before knowing the fates of either lineman, the Patriots signed former Steeler Chukwuma Okorafor to a one-year contract, presumably to play right tackle. At first, it seemed like an assurance of a potential failure to bring back Onwenu. But fortunately, they were able to do that and have a solid rotational piece in Okorafor who will be useful next season.
He was drafted by the Steelers in 2018 and brings plenty of experience to the developing offense. By his third season, he became their starting right tackle. His career was on a good trajectory until last season, when Pittsburgh drafted one of the top tackles of the 2023 class, presumably as his replacement.
Okorafor was benched for the rookie more than halfway through the season, and the dysfunction caused by their later-fired offensive coordinator is likely the root cause of the veteran's departure.
Although he could probably suffice as a starter for the Patriots as well, Onwenu's return guarantees he will be his backup and probably a better one than who they've had there previously.
Our grade: C
Grading every new signing Patriots made during free agency
RB Antonio Gibson: (3-years, $11.3 million)
The Patriots have been looking for a suitable partner for Rhamondre Stevenson out of the backfield since the running back's second season. He earned the starting role over Damien Harris, and since then, he has not turned back and has actually only gotten better.
The Ezekiel Elliott experiment for the 2023 season seemed good on paper, and if the offense had been more cohesive, it likely would have brought more success. The duo have a similar play style, especially as viable weapons in the passing game. However, working together just didn't jive, whether that was a coaching mistake or a combination of all the issues facing the offense last year.
Now that the former Cowboy has moved on in free agency, the Patriots signed Antonio Gibson, who spent the first four years of his career with the Washington Commanders.
The 25-year-old is a proven dual-threat running back. He has recorded 1,283 receiving yards and seven touchdowns during his career so far. On the ground, he has totaled 642 carries for 2,643 yards and 22 touchdowns.
The pairing of him and Stevenson will be a sight to see, and potentially, it will be the best RB duo the team has had in a few years. Gibson has a lot of potential left to unlock and has already vowed to do whatever the team asks and shared his excitement to be in New England. So, a good attitude goes a long way.
Our grade: B
QB Jacoby Brissett: (1 year, $8 million)
Once it became apparent the Patriots were not going to retain Mac Jones for another season, their interest in free-agent quarterbacks became the focus of the offseason. A handful of intriguing veterans were looking for new teams, with the most interest seeming to surround Jacoby Brissett, Joe Flacco, and Baker Mayfield.
Because of new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's connection to the former Browns' quarterbacks, there was a belief he could maybe swing Flacco as a veteran bridge player or Mayfield for a more long-term option, especially after his impressive season with the Bucs in 2023.
Neither ended up in New England, so Brissett made his triumphant return to the team that drafted him instead.
Since the Patriots held the third overall selection in the draft, Brissett was brought in to be the quarterback until the rookie is ready, whether at some point this season or next year. His return to the Patriots wasn't met with much excitement, but the best statistical year of his career was the year spent in Cleveland with Van Pelt calling the plays, so the hope is they can bring that success to Foxboro in 2024.
Brissett might not be the flashiest of options or the quarterback of the future, but he's a solid interim player who can provide stability to the offense and outstanding mentorship to the incoming rookie. Plus, he's known to be a great locker room addition, and that's very much valued in New England.
Our grade: B
Grading every new signing Patriots made during free agency
LB Sione Takitaki: (2 years, $6.5 million)
The defense was not going to be the priority this offseason since it has continued to be the far better side of the team, but after losing Mack Wilson in free agency, there was a clear need to add depth to the linebacker room.
On top of that, special teams has become uncharacteristically bad over the last few years, so adding a player like Sione Takitaki, who adds depth to both units, feels like a win/win.
With his unique experience of playing every linebacker role on the defense, coupled with his solid run defense and special teams ability, it's inevitable that Takitaki will become an integral part of the team moving forward. The Patriots love to take advantage of a versatile player, and because they need so much help in many areas, the linebacker is instantly more valuable.
Our grade: A
TE Austin Hooper (1 year, $4.25 million)
Both Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki were slated to test the free agent market again this year, leaving the Patriots with no tight ends on the roster for the 2024 season. Gesicki ended up signing a one-year contract with the Bengals, and fortunately, Henry decided to extend his stay in Foxboro by signing a three-year deal.
With Gesicki heading to the AFC North, the need for a tight end partner for Henry was apparent, and the player they decided to sign was probably one of the least surprising of the entire first wave of free agency.
Alex Van Pelt has made great impressions on players he has coached over the years because Austin Hooper's addition was another connection to a Browns player for the offensive coordinator.
The 29-year-old has bounced around through a handful of teams throughout his eight-year career and put together two good seasons in Cleveland with Van Pelt calling the plays. His last two seasons with the Falcons in 2018 and 2019 were the best of his career, but Henry will remain as the starter, and Hooper will be a more than solid TE2.
He will add more help to the offensive line, as he is a better blocker than Gesicki, which allows Henry to be used more within the offensive game plan.
Our grade: C
Grading every new signing Patriots made during free agency
DT Armon Watts (1 year, $3 million)
Although the defense wasn't going to see as much action in free agency this year as the offense, a few players' departures forced the Patriots to find their replacements, with the main one being defensive tackle Lawrence Guy.
The long-time Patriot had a bumpy road in New England over the last few seasons, including the tease of a potential holdout due to contract issues last year. He left in free agency and remains unsigned, so there was a chance he could return for the 2024 season.
However, the Patriots moved on and signed former Steeler Armon Watts to a one-year contract.
The 27-year-old has spent time with three teams already during his five-year career, and hasn't made a tremendous impact anywhere he's been so far. But like many of the other names the Patriots have signed so far, Watts adds more depth to the defensive line and brings a more pass-rush forward skillset that the defense really needs.
Our grade: C
OL Nick Leverett (1 year, $1.8 million)
Just like the signing of Chukwuma Okorafor, bringing in Nick Leverett was another addition to simply add better depth to the offensive line. The backups have been problematic in recent years, whether dealing with injuries or becoming more of a liability on the field than a help. So Leverett is expected to be an upgrade in that regard.
He is also seen as an insurance signing due to the uncertainty of Cole Strange's availability to start the 2024 season. The left guard suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 15 last year, and the belief is he will miss some time as he continues to recover.
Leverett has experience on the interior offensive line and can easily fill in for Strange on the left side until he is cleared to return.
He's coming to New England after spending three seasons with the Bucs, one of which was a year spent helping to protect Tom Brady, and he brings the veteran experience the O-line definitely needs.
Our grade: B
Grading every new signing Patriots made during free agency
WR K.J. Osborn (1 year,, $4 million)
Most fans were hoping the Patriots would make a big splash in free agency by signing one of the best receivers available, or better yet, make a blockbuster trade for a guy like Tee Higgins once it was reported the Bengals were franchise-tagging him.
They attempted to bring in a clear WR1 by offering Calvin Ridley a hefty contract, but he chose to sign with the Titans instead, leaving the Patriots still scrambling to add the much-needed receiver who has evaded them over the last several years.
After Ridley was off the market, the remaining free agents weren't all that exciting. Most were not of the caliber the team needed, but that clearly isn't going to happen unless they make a trade for a big name at some point.
But when it was announced they were signing K.J. Osborn, although he wasn't the Vikings receiver fans wanted, it was a move in the right direction to bolster the offense.
The receiver had a successful career in Minnesota, even after playing behind Justin Jefferson for the last four years. His stats won't blow you away, and they won't necessarily bring significant change to the Patriots offense, but he's a reliable weapon any quarterback can utilize and a highly touted locker room addition, which is always welcomed.
Our grade: B+
S Jaylinn Hawkins (1 year)
The Patriots' secondary became a unit that needed some additions this offseason with the departures of J.C. Jackson, Jalen Mills, and Adrian Phillips. This made them thin at safety, making room to sign Jaylinn Hawkins to play alongside starters Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers.
On top of that, he brings even more value due to his special teams experience, which has also been a focus for the Patriots this offseason.
How that unit performs next season will likely be a focus of many, especially with Matthew Slater no longer steering the ship. Hopefully, adding players with a variety of skillsets like Hawkins will be a big part in how much better they will perform on game day.
He will also provide depth to the defense, and his experienced versatility of lining up all over the field will play a significant role in his usage.