The Patriots didn’t exactly turn themselves into a contender on Monday, but they’ve had a decent start to free agency.
We don’t have much to complain about, anyway.
Milton Williams, Carlton Davis, Harold Landry Jr. and Morgan Moses will all step into starting roles, with the three defenders immediately raising the floor of a group with talent already in the building. Mack Hollins and Khyiris Tonga are depth pieces, who won’t have significant roles in a perfect world. Josh Dobbs is the veteran quarterback that every team seemingly signs this time of year.
Robert Spillane falls somewhere between those high-end additions and the general depth pieces, but we’ll talk more about that signing at a later date.
New England didn’t do too bad a job spending all that cash, but you really have to wonder what happens next?
Story continues below advertisement
We have a few ideas…
The Patriots have already given us a hint regarding one potential avenue they’d like to explore, as reports have stated they missed out on three interior offensive linemen over the last few days: Joe Thuney, Will Fries and Patrick Mekari.
You don’t think they were only interested in those guys, do you?
New England clearly wants to make additions along the entire offensive line, one of which will be along the interior.
Story continues below advertisement
Teven Jenkins is a potential long-term starter, while Will Hernandez could be a stopgap option. Dillon Radunz has experience working alongside Mike Vrabel, Todd Downing and Jason Houghtaling with the Tennessee Titans. It’s not like they don’t still have options, they’ll just be more selective now that the high-end guys are off the board.
More Patriots
Patriots Free Agency Tracker: Live Updates, Rumors, Signings
by NESN Staff
6 Min Read
NFL Rumors: Patriots Having ‘Discussions’ About Trading High-Upside Talent
by Greg Dudek
2 Min Read
“Keagan, how could you completely overlook left tackle and wide receiver? Are you dumb? It’s so obvious!”
Can you let me get that far?!
The Patriots obviously haven’t fixed their two biggest needs at this point, but given what is available and their propensity for ignoring those two spots, we don’t see any high-priced signing coming down the pipe. New England could still get creative to address those needs, though, whether it be through the draft or trade. Brandon Aiyuk could very well be made available by the San Francisco 49ers. Missouri’s Armand Membou and LSU’s Will Campbell are seemingly at the top of draft boards at tackle, depending on how you feel about arm length.
Story continues below advertisement
Vrabel, Eliot Wolf and Ryan Cowden don’t need to spend just to spend, they need to spend smartly so they can address needs and leave enough capital to aid them in the pursuit of others. You need money to trade for a guy like Aiyuk. You need draft capital to select one of the top players in the draft class.
It’s all about playing the board, so whatever that trio decides to do next, it should either be to address one of their two major needs or be a supplementary move to keep their options open.
We just have to wait and see exactly what hppens.