The New England Patriots are coming off a run to the Super Bowl and have plenty of cap space to work with.
The Patriots have cap space, but they also have needs. They need to sign a new wide receiver now that they are planning to release Stefon Diggs when the new league year starts. Austin Hooper is a free agent, and the Patriots will need to add a tight end. They also need pass rush help after recording just 35 sacks last season.
The Patriots will also have opportunities to address their needs in the NFL Draft, but MassLive's Mark Daniels predicted the Patriots would be big spenders in free agency.
"The price tag of A.J. Brown might be too much," wrote Daniels on Sunday. "That’s why the Patriots likely pivot to Alec Pierce. It’s rare to see a young 1,000-yard receiver hit free agency. It almost never happens anymore. Pierce will be costly, but his skillset as a deep ball receiver fits perfectly with Drake Maye. After that, the team will sign a veteran edge rusher, but not the top player. Someone like Boye Mafe. They’ll add a veteran tight end, too, like Cade Otton."
Pierce was a 1,000-yard receiver last season despite playing with multiple quarterbacks. He is in the prime of his career and would be a star in New England. Otton would be an upgrade over Hooper, giving Maye another pass-catching threat. Otton has 2,018 yards in his four years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has scored 11 touchdowns and averages 9.7 yards per reception.
Mafe would be a solid addition to a pass rush that could lose K'Lavon Chaisson. Mafe had nine sacks in 2023, but after Mike Macdonald took over, Mafe's production dipped. The Patriots could allow him to be a full-time starter once again and help fix their pass rush. Mafe is still young and could be cheap after failing to post great numbers in Macdonald's defense.
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