Recently released former Patriots could return to team ahead of 2024 season

At this point in the NFL offseason, most teams are not looking to add players to their roster, with just over three weeks until the first game of the year kicks off. Rosters are still allowed to hold 90 players, and the cutdown date isn't until August 27, so teams are holding onto players for as long as they can.

That's an especially important change implemented by the NFL for a team like the Patriots, who would like to give as much time to as many players as possible so they can put together an improved team from last year, mainly offensively.

However, they have had the unfortunate loss of defensive pillar Christian Barmore, and they just traded away Matthew Judon, so the defense might need some reinforcements that free agency could provide. Luckily, there are some players who are already being cut by teams well ahead of the roster cut deadline, creating some opportunity for the Patriots to boost their roster if they choose to.

Because that could be a path they explore, two former Patriots were released this week and could fit some needs on their roster for the season ahead.

While they might not be the game-changing caliber players who would elevate the team to the top, they would add solid depth and strengthen some weakened areas that could become problematic later on.

Patriots could benefit from adding recently released defensive veterans

At the start of free agency, the Patriots decided to move on from cornerback/safety Jalen Mills, a veteran of the secondary who signed with the team during the spending spree in 2021. He had been an impressive part of a shutdown cornerback room, and his versatility proved valuable as the Patriots dealt with injuries or inconsistent play over the last three years.

He signed with the Giants earlier this year, hoping to continue his career in a familiar NFC East. But New York released him on Thursday with a non-football injury, which is reportedly not serious and shouldn't be a problem for Mills if he finds a new team.

Although the Patriots are pretty packed at cornerback, Jonathan and Marcus Jones have been dealing with injuries that have kept them sidelined throughout the preseason. Depending on the timetable of their return, adding a proven veteran into the mix could be beneficial, even more so at safety.

Another former Patriot the team could look into signing is nose tackle Carl Davis, who was just released by the Cowboys this week. The 32-year-old played in New England from 2020 through the 2022 season and was a big part of the defensive tackle rotation during that time.

With Barmore sidelined for the foreseeable future due to health concerns and Judon's absence creating uncertainty on the defensive line, Davis could bring some relief due to his experience and veteran leadership.

The same could be said about Lawrence Guy, who was released by the Patriots earlier this year but remains unsigned. The pair might not be difference makers that some would prefer in late roster additions, but the Patriots need trusted help to keep their defense as a dominant unit for this season, and adding Davis and/or Guy, or even Mills, could do just that.

More Patriots news and analysis: