Free agency officially begins next Wednesday but the tampering period begins on Monday. By Monday night, we will have several names either linked to the Patriots or signing with the team. The Patriots are projected to have north of $40 million dollars to spend but that does not mean they will spend it all on free agents. They still need to sign their own free agents or sign players to extensions.
With that said, we have identified the Patriots top six needs in free agency and some players they could target.
So, without further ado. Here are the Patriots top needs ahead of free agency opening next week.
1. EDGE/Defensive End: The Patriots number one need. Even if they resign K’Lavon Chaisson, they are still two edge players short. The Patriots will add another veteran and could potentially take one at Pick 31 of the first round. The edge class in the draft is loaded so the Patriots will have plenty of options. New England finished with 35 sacks on the season, tied with Dallas for the fewest in the NFL. Upgrading at this position is important.
Potential Free Agent Targets
Odafe Oweh (Chargers)
Jaelen Phillips (Eagles)
Dre’Mont Jones (Ravens)
Boye Mafe (Seahawks)
Malcolm Koonce (Raiders)
DJ Wonnum (Panthers)
Kwity Paye (Colts)
Joseph Ossai (Bengals)
Joe Tryon (Bears)
Azeez Ojulari (Eagles)
2. Offensive line: The Patriots will run it back at tackle. Much to the consternation of some Patriots fans, Will Campbell will be your starting left tackle in 2026. Morgan Moses will be back as the team’s starting right tackle as well. At only $8 million, he is a bargain based on today’s tackle salaries, despite his age. The biggest question is, what do you do inside? Do the Patriots move on from Garrett Bradbury and slide Jared Wilson to center? Do they extend Mike Onwenu who is entering the final year of his contract? What about left guard? If they go big game hunting in free agency, I think left guard will be the target and there are two big names at the top of the guard free agent list. Here are some guards and tackles they could target. Remember, they need two tackles with Vedarian Lowe and Thayer Munford both being free agents.
Potential Free Agent Targets
Zion Johnson (G, Chargers)
Alijah Vera-Tucker (G, Jets)
Trevor Penning (G/T, Chargers)
Wyatt Teller (G, Browns)
David Edwards (G, Bills)
Joel Bitonio (G, Browns)
Josh Jones (RT, Seahawks)
Spencer Burford (LT, 49ers)
Fred Johnson (LT, Eagles)
Vedarian Lowe (LT, Patriots)
3. Wide Receiver: The Patriots are releasing Stefon Diggs which catapults wide receiver to one of their top three needs. Diggs was scheduled to earn up to $26 million with incentives in 2026 and was due a $6 million dollar roster bonus. The Patriots were never going to pay him either number. Instead, they opt to move on from a player who put up good numbers last season (85 catches, 1,013 yards and 4 touchdowns) but also faded down the stretch with only 101 yards and one touchdown in the playoffs. So, where do the Patriots go from here? Well the A.J Brown talk will pick up again as will the Alec Pierce talk, especially in the light of the fact that the Colts opted not to tag him. The Patriots could also be in on Mike Evans who will have plenty of suitors and could get in on a Brandon Aiyuk potentially once he is available. The draft is also a possibility, especially at Pick 31 where New England could pivot now and go wide receiver with a Denzel Boston or Chris Brazzell potentially being available. One thing is for certain. The Patriots need to add size to their receiving corp. a big receiver who can play backside at the X would be ideal.
Potential Free Agent Targets
Alec Pierce (Colts)
A.J Brown (Eagles, Trade Candidate)
Mike Evans (Bucs)
Christian Kirk (Texans)
Romeo Doubs (Packers)
Rashid Shaheed (Seahawks)
Nick Westbrook (Dolphins)
John Metchie (Jets)
Olamide Zaccheaus (Bears)
Treylon Burks (Commanders)
4. Safety: Re-signing Jaylinn Hawkins will be a priority and potentially adding another safety in the draft will be as well. Hawkins fit into the new defensive scheme seamlessly as a starter. He has the athleticism and ball skills to continue to thrive in the Patriots defense. If Hawkins gets a bigger contract offer elsewhere, the Patriots will have other options in free agency. Ideally they would want someone who can play center field in Cover 1 and Cover 3 and someone who can rotate over the top and has elite ball skills out of Cover 2. The Patriots played a lot of two high last season so they will want a player with vertical range at safety.
Potential Free Agent Targets
Jaylinn Hawkins (Patriots)
Geno Stone (Bengals)
Kamren Curl (Rams)
Reed Blankenship (Eagles)
Jaquan Brisker (Bears)
5. Tight End: Hunter Henry is still playing well enough to be the Y as he enters the final season of his contract but the Patriots are going to need a second and third tight end this off-season. Austin Hooper is a free agent and he will probably not be back. So, where do the Patriots go from here? Former Browns tight end David Njoku is a name you will see linked to the them routinely and rightfully so. He would be a great scheme fit in Josh McDaniels offense. Other veterans who would fit in nicely include: Will Dissly, Foster Moreau and Adam Trautman. Mike Vrabel mentioned last week that he liked the tight end class in the draft as well so the Patriots could look to potentially add a young tight end who can start off as the third tight end and develop as well. Either way, tight end is a sneaky big need for this team this off-season.
Potential Free Agent Targets
David Njoku (Browns)
Will Dissly (Chargers)
Foster Moreau (Saints)
Noah Fant (Bengals)
John FitzPatrick (Packers)
Durham Smythe (Bears)
6. Inside linebacker: Could the Patriots make a surprise move here financially and move on from a veteran player? It is possible. Right now Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss and Jahlani Tavai are all signed through next season. Spillane and Elliss started and played well but money is a factor for the Patriots, especially because they have looming extension with Christian Gonzalez and eventually Drake Maye. If they decide to make a move at inside linebacker, they will have some veteran options to chose from in the free agent market. Logan Wilson and Bobby Okereke who was recently released by the Giants are two potentially affordable scheme fits. As are Alex Anzalone and Leon Chenal. The question for the Patriots is, are those guys better than what they have? The other question is, will they be more affordable? Probably not. The expectation is the Patriots will run it back at inside linebacker but do not be surprised if they make a move either.
Potential Free Agent Targets
Bobby Okereke (Giants)
Logan Wilson (Cowboys)
Alex Anzalone (Lions)
Devin Lloyd (Jaguars)
Christian Rozeboom (Panthers)
Leo Chenal (Chiefs)