New England Patriots
The Patriots are set to have roughly $41 million in cap space this offseason.
The Patriots were 60 minutes away from a Super Bowl title, but that loss also showed the Seahawks also showed what they need in order to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in the foreseeable future.
Luckily for New England, it’s armed with $41 million in cap space entering the offseason, per Over The Cap, giving it some room to add this offseason. Of course, the Patriots have a few notable free agents they’d like to keep, like edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga.
But there are a handful of impactful players at positions of need for the Patriots that are set to hit the open market when free agency opens in March. So, let’s take a look at the pending free agents that make the most sense for the Patriots to sign each of their top positions of need this offseason.
Colts WR Alec Pierce
Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is clearly the top player set to become a free agent at the position this offseason. However, multiple reports indicate that Dallas will likely place the franchise tag on him. That doesn’t mean Pickens won’t be moved, but if he does, it’s more likely to happen via trade rather than signing him, which would cost a team two first-round picks.
But Pierce is a strong potential consolation prize. Pierce has been the best big-play wide receiver in the NFL on a per catch basis over the last two years. He led the NFL in yards per reception in 2024 (22.3) and again this past season (21.3).
Pierce’s ability to make big plays might also show some sign of untapped potential, especially when you consider the quarterback play he’s had in Indianapolis for the first four years of his career. But with Daniel Jones having a career resurgence this year, Pierce crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career in 2025. He had 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns.
Pierce is still relatively young as well. He’ll turn 26 in May, so whatever contract he signs will likely expire before he turns 30. That might make him a safer bet than trading for Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, who’ll turn 29 this offseason and has had multiple injuries in the last couple of years.
Packers OT Rasheed Walker
Yes, Mike Vrabel said that Will Campbell will be the Patriots’ left tackle going forward. But there’s still an avenue for them to improve at left tackle this offseason if they want to explore it.
Walker, by most free-agent rankings, is the top left tackle in free agency this offseason. The Packers’ standout has had some solid seasons since he became Green Bay’s starting left tackle in 2023, with Pro Football Focus giving him a top-25 pass-blocking grade among all tackles in 2023 and 2024.
But Walker, who turned 26 on Friday, didn’t have as strong a year in 2025. He gave up 34 pressures and five sacks, with PFF grading 52nd among all offensive tackles.
Even if there is some risk in signing Walker, adding him would allow the Patriots to maximize their offensive line and potentially give Campbell some time to grow as a blocker at left guard while they compete for a Super Bowl. Of course, the Patriots could also move Campbell to right tackle if they desire, as Morgan Moses turns 35 in March.
It would also allow for a scenario where they could move Jared Wilson from left guard to center. Some draft experts had said that center was a stronger position for the Georgia product before the Patriots selected him in the third round of last year’s draft.
Bills C Connor McGovern
There are a handful of solid interior offensive line options set to hit the open market this offseason. Steelers left guard Isaac Seumalo has been one of PFF’s top-graded guards over the last few years, but he’ll turn 33 in the middle of next season. Do the Patriots want two offensive linemen well into their 30s next year?
Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker has been one of the game’s top guards when healthy. However, he missed all of 2025 with a torn triceps and missed most of the 2023 season with an Achilles injury. He’s also mostly played at right guard since the start of the 2022 season, and the Patriots already have Mike Onwenu there.
Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum is really good, getting named a Pro Bowler in each of the last three years. Do the Patriots want to make a rich investment at center, though, with Maye and Christian Gonzalez’s extensions looming?
There’s also Bills center David Edwards, who has given Buffalo strong play at left guard over the last couple of years. But he’s stronger as a run blocker than a pass blocker.
So, McGovern might make the most sense, even if center isn’t necessarily a pressing need. McGovern, 28, was one of the top interior offensive linemen pass blockers this past season. He was fourth among all centers and guards in pass block win rate (97 percent) and allowed just 18 pressures this season. On top of that, McGovern played left guard as recently as 2023. So, there’s some positional versatility there.
Garrett Bradbury had a better year than expected at center for the Patriots, but he was credited with six pressures in the Super Bowl. The Patriots could clear $5.7 million in cap space if they cut him this offseason. If the Patriots want to keep Bradbury at center, then signing McGovern to play left guard would also make sense.
Again, the Patriots should be looking to find the best offensive line combo possible. Signing a player like McGovern would allow them to do that.
Ravens TE Isaiah Likely
Tight end was a strength for the Patriots in 2025, with Hunter Henry having a career year (768 receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns). It’s going to be a position of need soon, though.
Henry only has one more year left on his contract, and he’ll be 32 at the end of the 2026 season. Meanwhile, backup tight end Austin Hooper will be a free agent this offseason.
With that in mind, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Patriots to make an impact addition at tight end this offseason. If they opt to do so in free agency, Likely would make the most sense. The 25-year-old has been productive as a pass catcher early in his career, logging 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns in 2024. PFF has also graded him as a solid run blocker.
Likely missed time this past season due to a foot injury he suffered in training camp. He wound up having 27 catches for 307 yards and a touchdown in 14 games, with Baltimore having some woes at quarterback this year due to Lamar Jackson’s injuries.
That might make Likely a good “buy low” candidate. If he does come cheaper because of what happened in 2025, it might be wise for the Patriots to sign the Everett native to ensure they’re good at tight end for the foreseeable future.
Eagles EDGE Jaelan Phillips
Phillips probably won’t be the biggest name to move at edge rusher this season. Raiders star Maxx Crosby seems almost destined to get traded, with reports suggesting that it might take multiple first-round picks for a team to land him. Bengals star Trey Hendrickson is also a free agent and might actually move this offseason after he requested a trade last offseason.
Making a move to acquire either Crosby or Hendrickson would likely come with a high cost. Phillips probably won’t come cheap, either, but signing him won’t hurt your future resources as much.
Phillips also offers a high upside. Even though he only had five sacks last season, Phillips logged 44 pressures in just nine games after getting traded to the Eagles, per PFF. He finished the regular season with 73 total pressures as a result, which was top 10 among all edge rushers.
The Patriots were also reportedly interested in Phillips before the Dolphins traded him to the Eagles ahead of the trade deadline. So, there is a link there.
Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
Sports,New England Patriots#free #agents #sense #Patriots #pursue #positions1771104938
