The Patriots' 2024 free agency spending will likely be remembered for all the wrong reasons, as the new regime hesitated to use the hefty cap space available to drastically improve the roster for the season ahead. There were high expectations from analysts and fans that the post-Bill Belichick era would start with a bang and pay the money necessary to get the quality of players the roster desperately needed.
However, Jerod Mayo and Co. did almost the complete opposite, even if they (technically) addressed nearly every position that needed help with who they did sign.
Those they signed were mostly forgettable, with even receiver K.J. Osborn being released mid-season after a lackluster showing. But at least one player outperformed all expectations, given his age and recent performance, which has led to him being labeled the best free agent signing for New England in 2024.
PFF names tight end Austin Hooper as the Patriots best signing of 2024 for good reason
Since Rob Gronkowski unexpectedly chose to retire (for the first time) in 2019, the Patriots have struggled to find an adequate replacement and depth at the position. They finally got lucky in 2021 by signing Hunter Henry, who has gone on to have the best seasons of his career in Foxboro. It earned him a new contract last spring, and he continues to be a significant part of the offense's efforts.
Last year, though, he wasn't alone in that, even if their stats are quite a bit apart.
Henry was joined by fellow veteran Austin Hooper in the tight end room, and expectations for him were quite low coming into his ninth season. Gone were the days when he was a critical part of a quarterback's weaponry, so his presence felt like it would be more veteran insurance than a crucial part of Drake Maye's output.
That isn't what happened, however, as he went on to be one of the more consistent players for the quarterback throughout the season, which is why PFF has named him the Patriots best free agent signing of the 2024 season.
"Hooper earned a team-high 75.5 receiving grade and ranked third on the team with 45 receptions. He proved that he can be an effective option in a team’s tight end room despite the mostly poor personnel around him."
By recording 45 receptions, Hooper tallied his most catches since the 2020 season and his most yards (476) since he impressed with 787 yards in 2019. He was far more involved in the offense than anticipated and seemingly earned a new contract if Mike Vrabel and Co. choose to keep him around for another year.
That might be more of a possibility now since Hooper spent the 2022 season with Tennessee when Vrabel was the head coach, so that familiarity could work in his favor on top of his performance last season.
It's something they should certainly consider, especially since returning offensive coordinator has liked working with double tight ends in the past. Might as well keep Henry and Hooper together if that is part of his game plan.