FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 17: New England Patriots helmets on the bench at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots have had a busy couple of days in free agency. An NFL insider is suggesting that the Patriots may not be done at two key positions with free agency in full swing. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported this.
They addressed both the wide receiver and safety positions substantially. They signed former Green Bay Packers wideout Romeo Dobbs to a three-year contract. They signed Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard to a one-year deal, which effectively adds more depth to the wide receiver room, while Byard replaces the recently departed Jaylinn Hawkins
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Wolfe noted earlier this week that those positions may continue to be an area of focus.
“They may not be done at either position (WR & Safety). This is a team that’s still looking to upgrade in the next few days ahead, and a team that feels like last year was just the beginning of what could be a great run under Mike Vrabel in New England.”
The Patriots still need a true number one wide receiver. The release of Stefon Diggs put the Patriots in this position in the first place. Diggs recorded 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. He was the first 1,000-yard receiver for the Patriots since Julian Edelman in 2019.
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The safety position is in a little bit of a different place. The Patriots have youth at the position coming up, with Craig Woodson making a major impact in his rookie season. Woodson finished fourth on the team in total tackles and made a major impact in his rookie year. He had 79 tackles, three passes defended, and two fumble recoveries. On top of this, he thinks of his best performances for the playoffs. He recorded 11 tackles in the AFC Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The safety then followed that up with 10 tackles and Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks.
Pieces are there for the Patriots to be able to be successful at both wide receiver and safety. However, reinforcements are certainly not a bad thing. The organization has done a decent job of building around quarterback Drake Maye. They have given the signal -caller the tools to be able to be successful. The quarterback was able to make the most of this roster last year, leading the Patriots on an improbable run. Now, it’s about continuing to build.
Statements like this certainly indicate that the Patriots are going to be doing their homework when it comes to the rest of free agency. One has to wonder if an impact wide receiver will be a priority for the organization at this time. Moves still need to be made, and it will be interesting to see what the timeline is for those set moves.
The Patriots undoubtedly need to get better before the start of next fall. Although free agency is still in full swing, the Patriots may be taking a longer view of things. That is certainly respectable if they have a plan. Patriots fans are hoping to see that plan fall in place.