Mike Vrabel has already made a number of changes to how the Patriots will look next season.
Mike Vrabel has already made a number of changes to how the Patriots will look next season.Michael Conroy/Associated Press
Let’s review the Patriots roster, position by position, as it currently stands just over a week after the negotiation period opened . . .
Quarterback
Returning: Drake Maye, Joe Milton III
Arriving: Josh Dobbs
Departing: Jacoby Brissett (Arizona)
The biggest question at quarterback is the future of third-stringer Joe Milton. Do the Patriots want to capitalize on any potential interest in Milton by dealing him for a late-round pick?
There’s a reason Milton fell to the sixth round in the 2024 draft. He boasts incredible arm strength, though lacks the accuracy and touch required to be a consistent starting quarterback. Yes, Milton’s stat line in New England’s regular-season finale was impressive — 22 of 29 for 241 yards and a touchdown — but neither Buffalo’s lineup decisions nor effort level was representative of a high-caliber NFL defense.
Maybe Milton can continue to build his stock with a strong preseason performance. Until then, it looks as though he’ll compete with veteran Josh Dobbs, whom the Patriots signed to a two-year, $8 million contract, for the backup job.
Running back
Returning: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Terrell Jennings
Departing: JaMycal Hasty (unsigned free agent)
This unit began last season as the crux of New England’s offense, averaging 177.5 rushing yards in Weeks 1 and 2. The rest of the year, however, featured inconsistent performances as well as ball security issues. Stevenson lost seven fumbles, the most in the NFL among non-quarterbacks, while Gibson turned it over twice.
Coach Mike Vrabel defended Stevenson during a radio appearance at the scouting combine, citing holes in the team’s run-blocking.
“We can look back and say, ‘Yeah, Rhamondre had some issues holding onto the football that year,’ ” Vrabel said on SiriusXM. “But we also didn’t finish two or three blocks on the backside that allowed the second guy to come in as he’s trying to make somebody miss or he’s trying to stiff-arm somebody. We’ve got somebody that’s not protecting the guy with the ball.”
The Patriots have far more important needs on offense, but it would not be surprising if they still drafted a running back because it’s one of the deepest position groups in this year’s class.
Wide receiver
Returning: DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker
Arriving: Mack Hollins
Wide receiver has remained a high priority for the Patriots in recent years, but they have yet to land a traditional No. 1 option. Of the current group, Douglas has been the most productive with 115 catches and 1,182 receiving yards since getting drafted in the sixth round in 2023. Those numbers are what the Patriots need from a player in one season, though, not two.
Hollins is a solid addition for his experience working with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, but the Patriots still lack a coverage-dictating weapon. Vrabel has acknowledged the difficulties in acquiring such a player, noting they rarely become available on the open market. If the Patriots cannot swing a trade, then they will have to turn to the draft.
Even if the Patriots take a wide receiver early, the young, unproven players would still outnumber the dependable, productive targets.
Tight end
Returning: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell
This position group was among, if not, New England’s best last year. By re-signing Hooper, it’ll stick together for another season. Henry and Hooper have both played for McDaniels — Henry in New England in 2021 and Hooper in Las Vegas in 2023 — so the pair will likely maintain their important roles within the offense.
Offensive line
Returning: LT Vederian Lowe, LG Layden Robinson, C/LG Cole Strange, C Ben Brown, C Jake Andrews, RG Michael Onwenu, T Demontrey Jacobs, T Caedan Wallace, T Caleb Jones, G Tyrese Robinson, G Lester Cotton
Arriving: RT Morgan Moses, G Wes Schweitzer
Departing: C David Andrews (released)
With right tackle Morgan Moses coming in from the Jets, the Patriots have a formidable right side of the line with Michael Onwenu at guard.
With right tackle Morgan Moses coming in from the Jets, the Patriots have a formidable right side of the line with Michael Onwenu at guard.Adam Hunger/Associated Press
There are plenty of question marks across the offensive line, a position group that struggled with instability and inconsistency last year. Who will start at left tackle? Who will start at center? What about left guard? The Patriots have the right side locked down, with two reliable starters in Onwenu and Moses, but need to sort out the other three spots.
Moses, for his part, already stands out as a leader — one that should set a strong example for the room’s younger players, which there are plenty.
Defensive end
Returning: Christian Barmore, Keion White, Jeremiah Pharms, Jaquelin Roy
Arriving: Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga
Departing: Daniel Ekuale (Pittsburgh), Davon Godchaux (New Orleans), Deatrich Wise (Washington)
Vrabel gave New England’s defensive line a makeover, moving on from Ekuale, Godchaux, and Wise — each of whom played meaningful roles last season.
The new group, headlined by Williams, has the potential to be the league’s most impressive fronts if at least two of the following three things happen . . .
1. Williams stays effective while taking on a heavier workload. The 25-year-old played 48 percent of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps last season — and Vrabel has already indicated he’s planning on using him more. 2. Barmore plays (ideally at a high level). After getting diagnosed with blood clots last July, Barmore returned to the field in November before getting sidelined again in December. His future remains uncertain. 3. The Patriots can maximize White. Even though White has shown he can be a dominant, penetrating pass rusher, the 2023 second-round pick expressed some displeasure with his situation last season. It’s up to him and the team to establish a role that suits him well.
The Patriots need defensive end Milton Williams on the field more than 48 percent of the defensive snaps like he was when helping the Eagles win the Super Bowl.
The Patriots need defensive end Milton Williams on the field more than 48 percent of the defensive snaps like he was when helping the Eagles win the Super Bowl.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Linebacker
Returning: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, Christian Elliss, Monty Rice
Arriving: Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, K’Lavon Chaisson
Departing: Oshane Ximines (unsigned)
The Patriots beefed up the linebacking corps with their three additions: Landry can serve as an experienced edge rusher, Spillane can serve as a run stopper/three-down player, and Chaisson can serve as a situational pass rusher.
Under Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, the Patriots appear to be prioritizing fast, athletic, and aggressive linebackers. It’ll be worth watching how Bentley and Tavai fit into the new scheme alongside Spillane, with the possibility that at least one could be on the outs. Bentley is entering the final year of his deal, while Tavai is under contract through 2027.
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Safety
Returning: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Marte Mapu, Brenden Schooler
Arriving: Marcus Epps
While Vrabel has overhauled New England’s front seven, the safety group has remained largely untouched so far. Epps is a low-risk, low-cost, veteran addition that is coming off a torn ACL in hopes of competing for a roster spot.
Cornerback
Returning: Christian Gonzalez, Alex Austin, Marcus Jones, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial
Arriving: Carlton Davis
Departing: Jonathan Jones (Washington)
The Patriots should have one of the better cornerback tandems in the league, with Gonzalez and Davis. The biggest question is whether Davis can stay on the field. He has never played a complete NFL season, missing anywhere from two to seven games each year.
With Davis healthy, though, the Patriots have a well-balanced secondary. Jones can play in the slot, Austin can rotate in, and Bolden and Dial can vie for playing time.
Carlton Davis, who the Patriots signed in free agency, on one side of the field and Christian Gonzalez on the other, gives New England a solid cornerback tandem.
Carlton Davis, who the Patriots signed in free agency, on one side of the field and Christian Gonzalez on the other, gives New England a solid cornerback tandem.Maria Lysaker/Associated Press
Special teams
Returning: LS Joe Cardona, K John Parker Romo, P Bryce Baringer
Departing: K Joey Slye (unsigned free agent)
New England’s kicker as of now is the 27-year-old Romo, who made his NFL debut last season. He kicked in four games as an injury replacement for Minnesota’s Will Reichard, connecting on 11 of his 12 field goal attempts and 7 of his 8 extra point attempts.
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Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.