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The Patriots were big-time players in the free agent market last season.
They were aggressive and landed impact players and others who were key contributors to the team’s run to the Super Bowl.
Defensive tackles Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga, edge rushers Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson, cornerback Carlton Davis III, linebacker Robert Spillane, wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, and offensive lineman Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury all played a role in the Patriots surprising turnaround.
The Patriots handed out $364 million in contracts, with $200 million guaranteed.
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At this stage, it’s hard imagining the team spending anywhere close to that.
That doesn’t mean they won’t make a few moves, and add free agents in areas of need.
So which players make the most sense and wouldn’t necessarily be a surprise joining Mike Vrabel’s outfit?
Who are the best fits given what the Patriots are likely to spend?
Here’s 5 from the group:
Alec Pierce, wide receiver
My feeling is if the Patriots aren’t able to get the Eagles to blink, and come off their hefty demands for A.J. Brown, they’ll quickly pivot to Pierce.
The Colts wideout is a great fit for the Patriots given his deep ball prowess.
The specter of Brown, however, looms over what the Patriots may or may not do in free agency on the receiver front.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Brown sweepstakes are down to the Patriots and Eagles, meaning if a deal isn’t struck on a trade, Brown will remain in Philadelphia.
Perhaps the Patriots were leaking interest in Pierce during the week to try and drive the price for Brown down. There may be some truth to that, but that doesn’t mean the Patriots wouldn’t go after Pierce if a Brown trade fizzles out.
Outfitting Drake Maye is the top priority, especially after parting ways with Stefon Diggs. The Patriots know they have to land a big fish whether it’s Pierce or Brown.
Pierce is likely to command a salary around $25-to-30 million per year.
Indy’s star receiver wants to play for a contender. He doesn’t want to continue to deal with the quarterback carousel he’s had in Indy.
At 25, being one of the best deep-ball threats in the game, it would be a dream pairing with Maye, given the Patriot quarterback’s ability to throw the long ball.
Mike Vrabel has an obvious connection with Brown, who he coached in Tennessee. The Patriots coach would love to get the Super Bowl winning receiver to Foxborough, and Brown would love to reunite with his former coach.
When surrendering top draft assets are involved, along with absorbing a top-end salary, it’s just not that simple.
Brown is the odds on favorite right now. But it wouldn’t be surprising if Pierce snuck in the back door.
Boye Mafe, edge
The Patriots got their fill of Mafe in Super Bowl 60, as he was part of the pass-rushing posse who made Drake Maye’s life miserable. The Seahawks edge defender doesn’t have an eye-catching sack total, but he earns his keep with pressures.
He was credited with three pressures of Maye in the Super Bowl loss to Seattle last month.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mafe totaled 146 pressures over the last three seasons. He also scores well as a run defender.
That kind of across-the-board impact makes him attractive to the Patriots.
At 6-4, 261 pounds, Mafe also checks the box in terms of having the physical profile the Patriots look for.
Cade Otten, tight end
The Patriots are looking for someone to effectively pair with Hunter Henry, preferably a good run blocker.
Otten checks off the boxes. He’s a good pass catcher and an excellent blocker. At 6-foot-5, 247 pounds, Otten gets after it as a blocker in the run game.
He can also make an impact in the passing game.
Last season in Tampa, the 26-year-old caught 59 passes for 572 yards. Nine of those receptions came against the Patriots Week 10. So Vrabel & Co. are well aware what he can do.
Otton’s best season came in 2024 when he caught 59 passes for 600 yards and four touchdowns.
Kevin Byard, safety
This would be a logical signing if the Patriots aren’t able to re-sign in-house free agent Jaylinn Hawkins.
Byard, who turns 33 in the summer, would provide a steady veteran presence alongside Craig Woodson.
Last year, while with the Chicago Bears, Byard earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. He had seven interceptions and 93 tackles.
Byard played for Vrabel in Tennessee from 2018 to 2023. The coaching staff on the defensive side is certainly familiar with him. He was also a captain.
Even if Hawkins is re-signed, the Patriots have little depth at the position. And while they want to get younger (Alohi Gillman is an option fitting that mold), the Patriots connection to Byard is strong. And vice verse.
Earlier in the year, Byard told CHGO Sports that Vrabel “is definitely one of my all-time favorite coaches. Probably the smartest football mind I’ve been around.”
Joel Bitonio, guard
The Patriots hinted at adding a guard during the NFL Combine.
Bitonio is a 12-year veteran who would probably like to sign with a contending team.
He was one of the best pass-blocking guards in football last season, allowing just two sacks while making 686 blocking snaps.
He’s a multi-year captain who would easily assimilate into the Patriots culture. Should Jared Wilson beat out Jarrett Wilson and move to center, it makes sense to slide a reliable veteran between Wilson and Campbell.
It helps that Vrabel is familiar with Bitonio from his time as a coaching consultant in Cleveland in 2024. Vrabel did a lot of work with the Browns offensive line during his year in Cleveland.
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