Former Colts receiver Alec Pierce is available in free agency, and could be a top target for the Patriots.
Former Colts receiver Alec Pierce is available in free agency, and could be a top target for the Patriots.Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
With the NFL’s negotiation period scheduled to open Monday at noon, here are some names the Patriots could pursue to address their wide-ranging needs . . .
Wide receiver
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has acknowledged that No. 1 wide receivers rarely, if ever, hit free agency, instead pointing to the draft as the place to find such players. But the Patriots will still have some options to supplement their receiver corps via free agency.
Alec Pierce, who will turn 26 in May, is the top candidate, given his age, size (6 feet 3 inches, 211 pounds), previous production, and ability to stretch the field. The Colts could have franchise tagged him, but elected to transition tag quarterback Daniel Jones.
Pierce, drafted out of Cincinnati with the 53rd pick in 2022, is coming off his best statistical season in which he caught 47 passes on 84 targetsfor 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. His skill-set would be a fit with Drake Maye, as Pierce led the league in average yards per receptions (21.3). More than a third of his catches generated a gain of at least 20 yards.
There are questions about whether Pierce can sustain a larger target share, as he typically operated as the third option during his four seasons in Indianapolis. But the potential upside makes him the most compelling choice.
If the Patriots feel a projected annual value of $25 million is too expensive for Pierce, or if Pierce opts to stay in Indianapolis, then they could pivot to veteran Mike Evans for a short-term fix. Evans, who will turn 33 in August, is a proven go-to guy, having eclipsed 100 targets and 1,000 yards in 11 straight seasons before injuries snapped his incredible streak last year.
The good news for the Patriots is that Maye’s rise, coupled with the team’s Super Bowl run, should result in greater interest in coming to New England. Other possibilities include Romeo Doubs, Jauan Jennings, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Rashid Shaheed.
Former Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is among the top pass rushers available in free agency.
Former Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is among the top pass rushers available in free agency.Kareem Elgazzar/Associated Press
Edge rusher
Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf called edge rusher an obvious need for the Patriots, but the defense shouldn’t have a hard time finding talent at the position. Not only is the draft class deep, but there are also plenty of free agents.
The Patriots could take a swing and shell out for 31-year-old Trey Hendrickson. They could spend big on younger talent in Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh. They could make a strong effort to retain K’Lavon Chaisson, their best pass rusher last season.
All of the scenarios, however, would require lucrative contracts, probably too lucrative for the Patriots. The more likely outcome is that the Patriots strike value in the second tier of players, featuring Boye Mafe, Dre’Mont Jones, and Kwity Paye. The 27-year-old Mafe, who played 24 snaps in Seattle’s Super Bowl win over the Patriots, would be an intriguing candidate.
The Patriots on Thursday signed outside linebacker Jesse Luketa as a depth piece. Luketa spent last season on the Rams practice squad and did not appear in a game. He previously spent three seasons with the Cardinals, playing more on special teams than defense.
Offensive line
Despite significant improvement last season, the Patriots will still be seeking to upgrade across their offensive line this offseason.
The Patriots already hosted tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. on a visit earlier this week. The Browns drafted Wills out of Alabama with the 10th overall pick in 2020, but he didn’t live up to his first-round billing. Wills, who did not play for a team in 2025, spent five seasons in Cleveland and overlapped with Vrabel in 2024.
Wolf shot down the report that connected the Patriots to Rasheed Walker, who is expected to receive a large pay day, the highest among tackles, this offseason. If the Patriots are intent on keeping rookie Will Campbell at left tackle and having veteran Morgan Moses return at right, then it makes sense that they would not pursue such a player at this time.
If the Patriots are looking to shore up their depth, then re-signing Vederian Lowe would be smart. Jermaine Eluemunor is an inexpensive possibility that has experience playing for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in both New England and Las Vegas.
On the interior, the Patriots could sign Isaac Seumalo or Zion Johnson as top-end talent to compete for the starting left guard job. Dylan Parham, who also boasts familiarity with McDaniels, would be a cheaper, yet still experienced, option.
Tight end
Although tight end is a position the Patriots will likely address in the draft, there are a handful of free agents that could also serve as building blocks for the future. Those names include Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Chigoziem Okonkwo, and Cade Otton.
If the Patriots want a pass catcher, then Likely is the headliner. Likely, who grew up in Cambridge and attended Everett High School, caught 27 passes for 307 yards and a touchdown last year. His best statistical season came in 2024, when he caught 42 passes for 477 yards and six touchdowns.
If the Patriots feel they can find that style of tight end in the draft and prefer a blocker, then the 6-6 Kolar would be the choice. According to Pro Football Focus, 93.2 percent of Kolar’s offensive snaps last season came inline. He also was a core special teams player.
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Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.