INDIANAPOLIS — The Patriots plan to be aggressive in free agency, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be “frivolous.”
Head coach Mike Vrabel laid out the plan to be aggressive on Tuesday. And it was executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf who specified that the team would still be responsible with their spending this offseason.
“We’re not going to be frivolous,” Wolf said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine when asked how far the team would be willing to extend itself to land a top free agent. “We’re going to do what we think is best. We have to do what’s necessary. So last year we didn’t do enough of what was necessary. This year we have to do what’s necessary to improve the team.”
The Patriots will enter the offseason with more than $120 million in cap space. The official figure is yet to be determined since the salary cap has not yet been set.
The team has needs throughout the roster but especially at wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive tackle and defensive end.
So, will the Patriots be willing to spend up to or nearly up to the cap this offseason?
“I just think we’re going to do what we have to do. I think it’s probably not responsible to spend the whole thing,” Wolf said. “But again, that’s not to say we won’t do it if there’s a player out there that — obviously players out there that can fill a role for us.”
The Patriots’ goal will be to fill as many needs through free agency as possible so that they’re in a position to select the best available player with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Wolf feels the Patriots are in an “advantageous position” in the draft but noted that “there’s maybe less clarity this year about what’s going to happen in front of us.”
The Titans, Browns and Giants all pick ahead of the Patriots in the draft, and all three teams need quarterbacks. But Miami QB Cam Ward and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders aren’t guaranteed to be selected within the first three picks.
The Patriots are likely hoping they will be, so they have a better shot of landing Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter or Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.
“I think it’s definitely advantageous to try to build that roster out and get as much as much as we can, whether that’s middle class of the roster or upper class, there’s only so many elite free agents,” Wolf said. “There’s probably 27 teams looking at those guys. Certainly, we feel like we’re a more attractive destination this year than we were last year. And we’re excited to fill the roster out and get the depth, and get to where we need to be, so we can use that pick on the best player there.”
One reason why Wolf feels the Patriots are more attractive is because of quarterback Drake Maye.
The 2024 third overall pick completed 66.6% of his passes for 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season while rushing 54 times for 421 yards with two touchdowns.
“Drake showed tremendous improvement throughout the season,” Wolf said. “There’s still plenty of room to grow. But having that guy in place is paramount to our success. We’re really excited about the future that he can bring toward an organization.”
Wolf also stated his excitement of working with Vrabel multiple times. Having Vrabel heading up the organization and an experienced coaching staff also could help to attract players.
Wolf said he sees the strength of the draft being at running back, tight end and defensive line. He also noted that it’s “meatier” in the middle than at the top of the draft, especially at wide receiver.
Hunter could potentially fill two needs if he’s the pick at No. 4 overall. Wolf was specifically asked about the impact he could make in the NFL.
“Travis Hunter is a tremendous prospect as a number of these guys are. He’s obviously been very unique, won the Heisman Trophy, playing both ways,” Wolf said. “He’s really unique and instinctive at both positions. So I think there’s a scenario where he’s probably going to major in one and minor in the other, but I think there’s a scenario where he can play both ways.”
The Patriots have a greater need at wide receiver than at cornerback, but he’s viewed as a better prospect at cornerback.
Other potential options at No. 4 overall include Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, Georgia edge defender Jalon Walker and LSU offensive tackle Wil. Campbell.
The Patriots will take a flexible approach this spring, however.
“I think it’s about pivoting,” Wolf said. “If you don’t get plan one, then you go for plan two, and if you don’t get plan two, then you go for plan three. It’s about keeping your options open whether it’s through free agency or trade or the draft. We didn’t talk about the offensive line as a strong position in the draft, but I think once you get into the middle rounds of the draft, there’s some strengths there. So it’s just about keeping your options open, being intentional about what you want to do.”
So, expect the Patriots to be aggressive this offseason. But they’re still not going to be foolish in their pursuit of a player if it means overextending themselves too far.
“I think it’s about doing what’s necessary. We need to improve the roster. It’s not where we need it to be,” Wolf said. “I think everybody’s aware of that. Whether that means aggression or having a plan or being able to pivot off, you know, this is No. 1, this is No. 2, this is No. 3, like, just being able to pivot when something doesn’t go as expected.”
The Patriots went 4-13 last season and haven’t won a playoff game since 2018. Wolf said he understands fans’ frustrations and that he shares in those as the offseason approaches.