The first week of free agency has come and gone.
The Patriots were very active in the early going, making a splash the first day of the “negotiating” phase of free agency. The moves since then have come in dribs and drabs.
Both Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf said Thursday they weren’t done wheeling and dealing, especially since several needs remain - all on the offensive side.
“There’s just a lot of time, and I know that everybody is like, it’s over in free agency,” Vrabel said. “It’s never over.”
One week in, here’s a look at the Patriots haul.
Best addition
Milton Williams.
Specifically, the Patriots dogged pursuit of Williams, and the fact one of the prized free agents of the 2025 class chose New England over other options.
He’s a pretty darn good player to boot. So there’s a lot of factors contributing to him being the best free agent signing.
He was reported to be headed to the Carolina Panthers, but the Patriots, desperate to make a splash and land one of their targeted players, swooped back in and weren’t going to be denied.
“Once the number got to a certain point, a lot of teams dropped out, and the Patriots were the one that wanted me the most,” Williams said during his introductory press conference Thursday. “I made it a priority to come here, they made me a priority, and they value what I bring to the table as far as being a versatile player on the D line, a leader, a hard worker.”
The Patriots made him the highest paid player in franchise history (4 years, $104 million), and needed to overpay to land him. That kind of aggressiveness hasn’t been the norm with high-priced free agents.
But the Patriots needed to fortify their defensive front, and Williams tends to rise up and play his best in the biggest moments.
See Patrick Mahomes for details.
Worst addition
The good news is veteran guard Wes Schweitzer has some position versatility. He can play center and both guard positions.
Given the Patriots issues at center and guard, that’s a plus.
The bad?
He can’t stay on the field.
He’s been limited to 10 games (two starts) over the last two seasons due to injuries - most recently a bad hand injury.
Tough to shore up a sagging offensive line with a player that can’t be counted on. At age 31 - he’ll be 32 in September - the injuries tend to mount up. Wasn’t that an issue with 32-year-old David Andrews?
Most intriguing
Mack Hollins.
He doesn’t solve the Patriots receiver issue. But the veteran receiver is quite a fascinating character, who will serve as a good mentor for the Patriots young receiving corps.
“I’ve taken from my different teams in my years in the league, and allowing them to, hey, try the things I do,” Hollins said Friday. “If you don’t like them, that’s fine, but at least you’re learning what you do like, what you don’t like, and what can help you play a ong time and play at a high level.”
Like Cam Newton, he is known for his flashy outfits and entertaining wardrobe choices. But he also walks around barefooted, even in the dead of winter.
Josh McDaniels had him for a year in Las Vegas, and Hollins had his best year. So it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.
Most likely to surprise
Robert Spillane.
The 6-foot-1, 229-pound linebacker isn’t a household name. An undrafted free agent signed by Tennessee in 2018, Spillane was mostly a backup his first five seasons in the league before establishing himself the past few years with the Raiders.
He’s a bit small and light for an off-the-ball linebacker. But he fits right in with Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams wanting a faster, more aggressive group on defense.
“I want the Patriot Nation to know I’m going to pour my heart into this city, into this community, into this team,” he said Thursday. “I care deeply about what I do. I bring passion and heart everywhere I go.”
Most likely to disappoint
Williams.
First off, there’s the money factor. There’s $104 million watts of pressure weighing on him to produce.
Living up to that kind of contract is never easy.
Second, Williams has never been used as an every-down player. Last year, he played less than half the snaps.
Given what they’re paying him, Williams can’t be a part-time player.
Of course, it’s certainly possible he’ll be even more of a stud than he was in Philadelphia if he’s on the field more.
The element of the unknown, however, not knowing if he’ll be as effective playing every down makes him a good candidate to disappoint.
Biggest head-scratcher
Still no left tackle.
On one hand, there wasn’t much to boast about after Ronnie Stanley. The Patriots were prepared to make him an offer he couldn’t refuse, but the Ravens came up with the necessary cash, and Stanley opted to remain in Baltimore.
Once Stanley was off the board, the Patriots were reluctant to overpay for a crop of tackles that aren’t very good.
Still, going another year without a competent blindside protector remains mind-boggling.
Protecting Drake Maye is a top priority. Only the Patriots are on their way to once again failing at their most important offseason job.
Most interesting trend
All of the high character signings.
The Patriots might not win many games, but they’ll lead the league in players with a premium on intangibles.
Vrabel has stressed strengthening culture, almost to a fault.
He doesn’t want any possible locker room-disruptors or me-first type players.
He’s signed a slew of team-first leaders led by Morgan Moses, Robert Spillane and Mack Hollins.
Marcus Epps is another acquisition that fits into that mold. Along with being a veteran of six NFL seasons he also was a one-time captain with the Raiders in 2023.
Best theme
Defense or bust.
While the Patriots largely struck out on plans to bolster the offensive line and receiver groups, that didn’t deter Vrabel & Co. from rebuild and revamp the defense, and make it into a unit to be reckoned with.
The addition of tackles Williams and Khyiris Tonga, cornerback Carlton Davis, linebackers Robert Spillane and Harold Landry, and safety Marcus Epps is significant.
The past few years, the defense has declined. It’s been unable to tame the better quarterbacks, and the teams with elite receivers.
Along with Williams and Tonga fortifying the front, Robert Spillane and Harold Landry adding speed and ability to the second level, and Davis and Christian Gonzalez forming one of the best cornerback tandems in the league.
Vrabel has upgraded the talent on every level of his defense.
He overpaid for many of those players (Williams, Davis, Landry, Spillane), but either he or other staff members have experience coaching those players, who are system fits.
Worst timing to announce release of a veteran stalwart
Officially cutting David Andrews on the same day the team trots out Robert Kraft, Eliot Wolf, Mike Vrabel and four of his best and brightest free agent signings for a press conference was ill-timed, and awkward, at best.
Andrews was aware before the news came out, but the team could have picked a better day to put a shiny new spin on the players they signed.
As it was, the team was in a bit of a pickle with Andrews coming off a major injury, and wanting to shore up the position. They had their eyes set on acquiring free agent center Drew Dolman, but he chose another team.
It was also rather odd that Vrabel has been preaching wanting character players, then lets go of one of the best in that department, who also happens to be well-versed in Josh McDaniels offense.
Best nickname
The Passtronaut.
That’s Josh Dobbs nickname.
Why?
Because the Patriots new veteran backup has an aero-space degree from the University of Tennessee and had an internship at NASA.
Dobbs has bounced around, but his ability to quickly pick up playbooks will allow him to assimilate into the offense right away.
He also played for Vrabel in Tennessee and new receivers coach Todd Downing.
Best quote
Just about everything Morgan Moses says.
The veteran right tackle comes across as one part football player, one part sage, and one part prophet, apropos of his last name.
“You don’t need a miracle to win football games,” the newly acquired Patriots right tackle said Thursday. “You just need the right people in the building.”
That was just one of the many pearls Moses delivered during his introductory press conference Thursday.
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