With so many roster holes to fill, the New England Patriots free agent roster is targeting to be a mile long this offseason.
The good news is that the Pats are among the leaders in cap space through 2024. This should allow them to be aggressive and overhaul a roster that needs reinforcements.
Free agents the Patriots should pursue
But who will be the Patriots' free agent targets? Which positions will be prioritized and which players would be suitable? With a new coach, these are not necessarily easy questions to answer.
However, we've come up with a list of free agents the Patriots should keep an eye on to get a better idea of what they should do with all of their cap space.
Hunter Henry
Hunter Henry tops the list of upcoming Patriots free agents the team would like to re-sign. It probably isn't worth using the franchise tag on him, but the Pats need to make an effort to keep him in New England.
With better quarterback play, Henry's production could certainly improve from what we've seen over the past two years. The team's other tight ends are also free agents, so that's a position the Pats will need to address this offseason. They might as well start bringing Henry back.
Mike Evans
Assuming the Patriots draft a quarterback, they need to bring in a loyal No. 1 receiver. New England's struggle to draft or trade a top-tier receiver has been well documented. By going after Mike Evans in free agency, the Pats will have a sure thing.
Although age doesn't work in his favor, Evans has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in all 10 of his NFL seasons. He will become a security blanket no matter who is New England's starting quarterback next season, making Evans an obvious free-agent target.
Curtis Samuel
Wide receiver probably won't be enough, so Curtis Samuel should be on New England's radar as well. Compared to Evans, he is a smaller, faster receiver, which makes him a good complement to a larger receiver.
Samuel may not be a superstar, but he is at the top of his career and would certainly be an upgrade for New England's receivers over the last few years.
Austin thank you
Heading into free agency, Austin Ekeler's stock is down after a disappointing campaign in 2023. But his track record suggests he can still be a productive two-way linebacker who can run between the tackles and catch passes.
Given his size, Ekeler probably shouldn't be signed as a feature again. But he would be an excellent complement to Ramondre Stevenson. These two players have complementary skill sets, so signing Ekeler could reshape New England's backfield in a positive way.
Jacoby Brissett
Even if the Patriots draft a quarterback, they will still need to bring in a veteran to serve as a backup and mentor. Just look at the success the Colts had with Gardner Minshew backing up Anthony Richardson last year. Why not bring back an old friend like Jacoby Brissett?
Brissett is clearly not a long-term solution for any team. But he could be a reliable backup to the rookie and start some games for the Patriots next season if necessary, making him a good option if the Pats decide to move on from Mac Jones and Billy Zappe.
Mickey Pickton
Although he has had a relatively disappointing career to this point, Mekhi Becton is a player the Patriots should consider pursuing. Despite being injury-prone, he is a former first-round pick and will only be 25 years old at the start of the 2024 season.
There is plenty of time for Becton to turn things around and fulfill his potential. Both of New England's starting offensive tackles last season were free agents, so Becton fills an obvious need and offers some upside.
