The New England Patriots need help along the edge, but how the team goes about it remains to be seen.
New England still has Harold Landry under contract for 2026, but K'Lavon Chaisson is a pending free agent and may not be back. The Pats could use more depth, also, even if Chaisson returns.
While Patriots fans are dreaming about a Maxx Crosby trade this offseason, we still don't know if that will even be possible, as the Las Vegas Raiders and Crosby could decide to stay together despite recent turmoil.
In terms of other options to consider, we would keep an eye on Seattle Seahawks edge rusher and pending free agent Boye Mafe.
That's because Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported that the Patriots "made a call on" Mafe at last year's trade deadline, so it's fair to assume New England could have interest in him in free agency this offseason.
Mafe fell out of favor with the Seahawks last season. While he played in all 17 games, he only started in four, played just 50% of snaps and totaled two sacks.
In the two years prior, Mafe posted much better production with 15 sacks in that span, including a career-high nine in 2023. It's fair to assume that better days are ahead for Mafe if he can find the right situation.
And the Patriots would very well be that situation.
After all, we saw Chaisson post a career year on New England's defense and it's more than fair to think signing Mafe could produce a similar outcome.
While we would like to see the Patriots make a bigger splash, Mafe would amount to a strong depth option who could exceed expectations and prove to be a steal.
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