INDIANAPOLIS — The Patriots had a busy week.

After speaking with several NFL coaches, scouts, agents and executives at the league’s annual scouting combine, here is everything the Herald learned about new coach Mike Vrabel, an evolving Patriots front office, the team’s plans for free agency, the 2025 draft, and beyond:

Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley, Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward and Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin are among the Patriots’ top targets, according to sources; though members of the organization are doubtful Godwin will leave Tampa Bay.

The Patriots planned to pursue Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins until it was reported last week the Bengals are expected to retain him via the franchise tag for a second straight year. League sources universally do not see Higgins as being available right now. But if the Bengals pivot at the last minute, one agent offered at the combine: “Everyone in the league knows (the Patriots) want Tee.”

The Patriots prefer signing Higgins or Godwin over a trade for another No. 1 receiver for the simple fact they would rather sign someone into their $127.7 million worth of cap space instead of surrendering draft capital in a deal and significant cap space. The front office has nonetheless kicked the tires on a potential trade for Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf, per source, while it weighs the ripple effects of making a player they’re not familiar with, like Metcalf, the new highest-paid player on the team.

Why?

Vrabel has mandated the front office treat toughness, play demeanor and football character as non-negotiables when targeting players, so he can rapidly re-establish a winning culture. These traits are all common to some mid-level free agents the Patriots plan to pursue, including a couple of veteran defenders sources believe will out-perform their markets based on the Patriots’ interest.

If the Patriots whiff on their top targets — a group that consists of mid-level veterans and top-of-the-market talents — they will pivot to Plans B, C and, if necessary D, at select positions.

One such example is left tackle. The Patriots would be comfortable signing any of Stanley, Dan Moore (Pittsburgh) or Cam Robinson (Minnesota), per sources, who added Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson was part of that group until Friday when Los Angeles signed him to an extension.

Defensively, rumor has it the Patriots covet Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood, who fits the new prototype Vrabel is seeking at that position. The 6-foot-2, 216-pounder hits harder than his listed frame would suggest, the exact type of physical, violent player Vrabel wants. The Patriots are working to infuse more speed in their defensive front, which will feature smaller, faster players under Vrabel and new defensive coordinator Terrell Williams compared to most of their defenses of the past two decades.

Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat, Bills receiver Amari Cooper, Texans receiver Stefon Diggs and Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack are not expected to draw interest from the Patriots, according to a team source.

The Patriots should be in the market for Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy and Jets cornerback D.J. Reed, as well as other veterans. The front office has expressed interest in re-signing Jonathan Jones on a cheaper, team-friendly deal, while Jones has prepared for the possibility of finishing his career elsewhere, per sources.

Overall, the Patriots are taking a trenches-first approach to free agency, with cornerback, wide receiver and linebacker close behind. Their plan is to come heavy on Day 1 by extending their best offers to their top targets, ideally a left tackle, receiver, defensive lineman and defensive playmakers in the back seven. Unlike past offseasons, the Patriots won’t hesitate to sign a player if a recent draft pick plays the same position.

One sleeper position to watch in free agency: center.

League sources currently view LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell or Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham as the Patriots’ likeliest selections at No. 4 overall.

Inside the front office, evaluators are split on whether Miami quarterback Cam Ward and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders could come off the board before the Patriots are on the clock. If they do, the Patriots can pick one of the top two consensus prospects in the draft: Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. Hunter is seen as the more likely to fall, though whether he and/or Carter are available, the Patriots are confident they will land an impact player at No. 4.

A few league evaluators see a drop-off after the best eight to 10 prospects, underscoring any possible trade back for the Patriots should not send them outside the top 10. If the Patriots do trade back, keep an eye on Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan. According to a source, McMillan, the best receiver prospect in this class, is well-regarded by a lead Patriots decision-maker, and another evaluator believes they can control the draft by trading back from No. 4, assuming they land enough free agents.

The Patriots are also believed to be targeting cornerbacks in the middle rounds, sources say, with an understanding they will continue to build out their offensive and defensive lines regardless of how free agency unfolds. Like most around the league, the Patriots are extremely high on this defensive line class.

The Patriots continue to explore the wide receiver trade market, including Metcalf, but have tempered their expectations. Rams wideout Cooper Kupp is seen as a likely cut candidate, and 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel, who was traded to the Commanders on Saturday, was not considered an ideal fit.

Earlier this week, the Patriots granted defensive tackle Davon Godchaux permission to seek a trade for a few reasons.

Godchaux, 30, is not seen as a scheme fit in Vrabel’s new defensive system. Team brass was also not enthralled with his leadership last year, including comments he made to the media following games that rankled staff members. If the Patriots find a trade partner, Godchaux is expected to fetch a late-round pick.

One league source familiar with the Patriots’ roster and locker room dynamics suggested the team ought to trade second-year quarterback Joe Milton because the 24-year-old backup starred in the team’s season finale and sees himself as a starter. However, league buzz around a possible Milton trade has yet to match outside, media-driven speculation.

Hours before the Patriots’ 2024 season finale against the Bills, ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated he was “leaning out” on coach Jerod Mayo keeping his job. According to a source, certain veteran players saw the report and informed some members of the staff, who figured before kickoff they were likely getting fired.

That report came less than 11 months after Mayo’s first staff meeting, where he assured his assistants the franchise was following a three-year rebuild plan and began to construct the roster accordingly. Multiple coaches maintain they didn’t believe starting quarterback Drake Maye was ready to start from Week 1, but had they known their jobs were dependent on the team’s performance in Year 1, they likely would have turned to Maye earlier.

When it became clear to the coaching staff their three-year plan was in jeopardy, assistants began executing more short-term decisions that cost young players playing time, which frustrated members of the front office.

It was a surprise to one staffer that Deron Mayo, Jerod’s brother, returned as strength and conditioning coach because Deron spoke up in the team’s final meeting the Monday morning after Jerod was fired. The staffer called it, “the most awkward three minutes of my life,” but also admitted he secretly enjoyed it since he knew he, too, was getting fired.

Mayo, former quarterbacks coach TC McCartney, ex-running backs coach Taylor Embree and former inside linebackers coach Dont’a Hightower currently remain out of the NFL. Multiple sources doubt that Mayo will return to coaching.

Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said this week he wished the team had been more thorough in its research ahead of free agency. One former coach believed Wolf was taking a shot at last season’s staff in saying that, because they lacked the experience to provide intel on free agents. A league source shot back that it’s ultimately the job of coaches to develop players regardless of their background and that teams can’t rely on only adding players with whom they have a history.

One coach also disagreed with Wolf’s assertion that second-round rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk struggled because too much was put on his plate. He believed Polk’s lack of production stemmed from coaching, a lack of command in the position room and the rookie wide receiver’s poor attitude.

Former executive vice president of football business Robyn Glaser is also gone from the Patriots and out of the league. Multiple sources told the Herald that Glaser tried to cut costs around the organization to ensure they were spending more effectively.

A team source believed Glaser tried to make changes within the organization without a full understanding of what processes she was changing. When asked for an example, the source said that Glaser’s approach was to simply do the opposite of what Bill Belichick had done in several areas. Now with Vrabel aboard as head coach, a coach-centric power structure that worked for years under Belichick has returned and simplified matters.

How good is Drake Maye?

No league source had anything less than stellar to say about the Patriots’ young quarterback in conversations around Indianapolis. One veteran position coach believes Maye has top-5 potential in the league, possibly within two years.

An AFC East scout described Vrabel and Maye as a “deadly combination” and said it’s “scary” to see the Patriots putting the right pieces in place, including Wolf and vice president of player personnel Cowden. One team source called Vrabel and Maye “the best things going” for the Patriots.

Another believes the organization quietly tried to appease Maye by interviewing McCartney, his ex-quarterbacks coach whom Maye wanted to stay under Vrabel and new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The job eventually went to former Browns assistant Ashton Grant. Assistant offensive line coach Robert Kugler is now the only offensive Patriots coach who remains in the same position from a year ago.

The Krafts would be overjoyed about their decision to hire Vrabel if they spent the week in Indianapolis eavesdropping on conversations about their team’s future.

Multiple agents who met with Vrabel told the Herald his larger-than-life personality left a lasting effect that made them more encouraged about the possibility of their players playing in New England. Vrabel commanded several of the Patriots’ meetings, even with Wolf, Cowden and other high-ranking personnel staffers present. He was direct, upbeat and energetic; a contrast to the team’s formal interviews with prospects where Vrabel has tested some players with harsh criticism and commentary.

In the front office, scouts and executives alike are enthused about their new head coach and how specific he’s been detailing the players who fit his team vision. One executive described Vrabel as the smartest coach he’s worked with, while others used words like “unreal” and “phenomenal” to describe their early partnership. Another team source said he couldn’t believe Vrabel’s capacity for handling and juggling critical organizational duties.

Patriots met with top wide receiver prospect at NFL Scouting Combine

Bottom line: Vrabel is involved in everything, from meetings with teams and agents to formal combine interviews with prospects and all coaching hires.

Relatedly, one team source revealed Vrabel secured more resources from ownership during his interview process to fix a problem that left some around the league slack-jawed a year ago.

According to sources, the Krafts gave Jerod Mayo's new assistant coaches a fraction of a typical NFL moving allowance and only a few weeks of temporary housing while they relocated to New England. Under Vrabel, at least one new assistant has been given more than a month to find a permanent home while he helps the team prepare for free agency and the draft.

New Patriots vice president of football operations John "Stretch" Streicher is Vrabel's right-hand man. And as Vrabel has his hands in a lot of pots, so does Streicher.

Streicher is involved and/or expected to be involved in personnel, game strategy, game-planning and day-to-day football operations. He's already held individual meetings with agents at the combine and has intimate knowledge of the Patriots' offseason plans. Streicher, 34, started his career in Tennessee as Vrabel's personal assistant and still carries some of those duties today.

Vrabel is the most powerful person in the organization below the Krafts, and "Stretch," being his closest advisor, has led some on staff to view him as the No. 2 in the Patriots' new, evolving power structure. Others believe he will be a general manager one day.

The Patriots are confronting the possibility they could be without young defensive tackle Christian Barmore after he was shut down with blood clots twice in 2024. Team brass has not divulged any details publicly or in private meetings when asked about Barmore's future with the team, saying only they're taking it slow with recovery. Some within the organization believe Barmore was rushed onto the field last season, when he returned to play in mid-November after two and a half months off and zero padded practices. Barmore was shut down again three games later with a recurrence of blood clots. ... Director of pro personnel Pat Stewart will leave soon to become the general manager at the University of Nebraska. Stewart, a longtime NFL evaluator with almost 20 years experience, will leave a notable hole in the front office. How the Patriots fill Stewart's position — either with a current staffer or an outside hire with connections to Cowden — could be a tell as to how the front office takes shape after the draft. Some believe Cowden could replace Wolf and major shakeups would then follow underneath him. ...  An ex-Patriots staffer believes Matthew Slater will eventually return to coaching after spending his first and only season on staff as a special assistant to the head coach last year. ... A league source familiar with the Patriots' roster believes Javon Baker remains their most talented wideout, and another source expressed Baker has recommitted himself this offseason after a disappointing rookie season.