NFL Free Agency: Patriots' Remaining Targets After First Wave

The New England Patriots had a busy first week of NFL free agency, signing eight players since the opening of the legal tampering window last Monday. While not all of the moves are guaranteed to have a major impact on the team, they did address some holes and improved either the starter level or the overall depth of the team. With the first wave of free agency over, the Patriots are still lacking at several positions, including wide receiver, tight end, defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback, and safety, which could still benefit from more talent being brought aboard to compete.

Assessing the Patriots' Current Roster and Needs

The Patriots have no need at the quarterback position, having entered the offseason with Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs under contract, and later retaining third-stringer Tommy DeVito on a two-year extension. In an expected move, Deneric Price was not tendered by the Patriots as a restricted free agent, which removes another option from a running back group that currently carries three players behind a top two of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. However, the Patriots do not appear to be under much pressure to add another running back to the mix, particularly not one of the high-profile variety.

Wide Receiver and Tight End Positions

Even though they signed Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract, the Patriots are not done adding to their wide receiver group. The question is what form those next additions will take. They could still pursue A.J. Brown or Brian Thomas Jr. as trade options or wait for the draft to add to the mix. They also, however, could look to a free agent group that still has some big names unaccounted for — including Stefon Diggs, whose return to New England on a more favorable deal was not ruled out by executive vice president Eliot Wolf. The Patriots signed Julian Hill to a three-year deal to serve as a blocking tight end, but the Patriots could still benefit from more receiving talent at the position.

Defensive Needs and Potential Targets

Khyiris Tonga taking his talents to Kansas City last week created a sizable hole along the Patriots’ interior D-line. While a soon-to-be 40-year-old Calais Campbell might not be the answer despite still playing quality football, D.J. Reader and DaQuan Jones look like potential targets to help fill the early-down role played by Tonga in 2025: both are massive human beings at 330 and 320 pounds each, respectively, and could serve as space eaters up front. The Patriots suffered a net loss on the edge last week, and more reinforcements are needed, with free agency still providing some intriguing options, including former first overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney, who worked under Mike Vrabel in both Houston and Tennessee.

Linebacker and Secondary Positions

Re-signing Jack Gibbens after not tendering him in restricted free agency still seems like a potential move the Patriots might make to bolster their linebacker corps, but they also added K.J. Britt on a one-year deal recently. Even though the Patriots have one of the best starting trios in football, the depth behind Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, and Alex Austin could benefit from some improvement, particularly after Alex Austin’s departure. The expectation is that the position will be targeted at some point in the draft, but the veteran market also has some talent still unaccounted for.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

• The Patriots still lack talent at several positions, including wide receiver, tight end, defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback, and safety.
• The team may target players like Stefon Diggs, D.J. Reader, or Jadeveon Clowney to address these needs.
• The Patriots' moves in free agency will have a significant impact on their 2025 season and the team's chances of competing in the AFC East.

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