Former Lions cornerback Carlton Davis is a solid addition for New England's defense.
Former Lions cornerback Carlton Davis is a solid addition for New England's defense.Rey Del Rio/Associated Press
Mike Vrabel stuck to his words on Monday with the Patriots’ approach to free agency.
The Patriots were indeed one of the NFL’s most “aggressive” teams, spending the most total money (over $215 million) and guaranteed money (over $100 million) of any team while adding eight new players.
And just as Vrabel had hoped, the Patriots beefed up their defensive line, won a bidding war for one of the top players available, and brought in several players with ties to the coaching staff who can help Vrabel build his new program in Foxborough.
Yet it’s hard to give the Patriots high marks for their Day 1 haul of new players. At best, their grade is incomplete.
That’s because the Patriots’ start to free agency is notable as much for the players they didn’t get as the players they did.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s great the Patriots won a bidding war for former Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, who was on the verge of signing with the Panthers before the Patriots swooped in with more money. The Patriots signed a solid No. 2 cornerback in Carlton Davis. New linebacker Robert Spillane is a tackling machine and fits Vrabel’s defense better than does current Patriots linebackers Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai. Harold Landry is a durable edge rusher who is better than anyone the Patriots have had for several years. The Patriots’ defense, which took a step back in 2024 and ranked No. 22 in points allowed, should be better next year.
But what about the offense?
You know, the side of the ball that ranked 31st and 30th in points scored the last two years; that has the worst offensive line and worst group of receivers in the NFL; whose longest play from scrimmage in 2024 was a 50-yard screen pass to running back Antonio Gibson.
Patriots de facto GM Eliot Wolf said recently that he hopes to fill out the roster in free agency, “and get to where we need to be, so we can use that [draft] pick on the best player available.”
Yet as much money as the Patriots have spent so far in free agency, they have whiffed on offense. They still haven’t solved their biggest issues — protecting the QB, and finding playmakers on offense.
Their only moves thus far are signing backup quarterback Josh Dobbs, No. 2 tight end Austin Hooper, depth receiver Mack Hollins, and 34-year-old right tackle Morgan Moses, who is joining his fourth team in six years.
Improving the defense will help young quarterback Drake Maye, and combined with better coaching from Vrabel and his assistants, should raise the Patriots’ floor from a four-win team to seven or eight. But you know what would help Maye even better? Adding better receivers and a legitimate left tackle. Getting real playmakers for Maye.
It’s a positive sign that the Patriots got Williams to bite on a big contract after getting turned down repeatedly by free agents the last few years. But the Patriots still are striking out on offense.
They reportedly offered as much as $20 million more to receiver Chris Godwin, who chose to return to Tampa Bay instead. The Patriots saw Deebo Samuel get traded to the Commanders, D.K. Metcalf to the Steelers, who don’t even have a quarterback yet, and weren’t in on Davante Adams or Christian Kirk. They also sat by as the Commanders traded for left tackle Laremy Tunsil, Ronnie Stanley re-signed with the Ravens, and Dan Moore signed with the Titans.
The Patriots were aggressive on defense, but where was the same pursuit on offense? Look at the Bears, who are building around QB Caleb Williams. They acquired guard Joe Thuney for a fourth-round pick, signed the best center in free agency (Drew Dalman) and traded for another veteran guard in Jonah Jackson. That’s how you beef up the offensive line in front of a young quarterback.
Watching Tunsil go to the Commanders for a few mid-round picks is especially troubling, as that is just the type of aggressive move the Patriots should be making. It’s hard to get too excited about the Patriots’ offensive line with Moses as the only addition so far.
The Patriots could still sign left tackle Cam Robinson, who was drafted by the Jaguars when current Patriots offensive line coach Doug Marrone was their head coach. Otherwise, the pickings are already slim at left tackle and wide receiver, the two most important positions on offense outside of quarterback. Their only shot of landing an improvement at this point is a trade, with Tee Higgins, George Pickens, Cooper Kupp, Brandon Aiyuk, and Kolton Miller among the names that may be available.
The Patriots’ whiff rate on offense only increases the importance of hitting on their draft picks in April — specifically, finding elite talent on offense. The Patriots have a bunch of No. 3 receivers in Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, and Hollins, but still need a No. 1 and a 2. The draft may be their only shot of finding one.
The Patriots do get credit for spending a lot of money on Monday and addressing several positions of need. And Williams was an important signing, showing the world that the Patriots can land big free agents once again.
But their haul still felt underwhelming. Despite spending all that money, the Patriots still don’t have a receiver or a left tackle.
Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com.