NFL free agency officially begins on Wednesday and the New England Patriots continue to be linked to some big names.
MassLive's group of experts made their Patriots free agency predictions on Sunday, with enterprise reporter Chris Mason foreseeing New England inking deals with three prominent newcomers.
"The bidding for Alec Pierce gets too crazy for New England, but the Patriots sign Jaelan Phillips, Chigoziem Okonkwo and Joel Bitonio," Mason wrote.
Columnist Matt Vautour also predicted that the Patriots will bring in tight end Chig Okonkwo, who has spent his entire career with the Tennessee Titans, including the 2022 and 2023 seasons under now-New England head coach Mike Vrabel.
The 26-year-old pass-catcher set career highs in targets (79), receptions (team-high 56) and receiving yards (team-high 560) in 2025, while recording two touchdown catches as well.
Mason predicted that linebacker Jaelan Phillips would be the Patriots' biggest signing of the offseason at four years and $92 million ($40 million guaranteed).
"For a team that won the AFC in January, there are still holes aplenty across this depth chart. Between free agency and the draft, the Patriots need to find an impactful edge rusher, land a starting guard, get younger at tight end, and replace Stefon Diggs’ production with a No. 1 wide receiver," he said. "They should address all of these needs in free agency and via trade so they’re able to take a best-player-available approach when the draft rolls around. They have the money and they’re not finding a No. 1 wideout at No. 31 overall."
Phillips finished the 2025 campaign with 14 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks and a career-high four passes defended.
New England has been connected to longtime Cleveland Browns left guard Joel Bitonio recently as well.
Bitonio has spent his entire 12-year career with the Browns, making seven Pro Bowls and earning First Team All-Pro nods twice as well.
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