The Patriots’ roster will look a lot different by the time the season starts in September.
Entering the offseason with nearly $130 million in cap space and needs all over their roster, the Patriots are expected to be busy in free agency this offseason. The Boston Herald will preview free agency going position by position to highlight potential additions.
The Patriots have a new head coach in Mike Vrabel and have returned to a coach-centric power structure with Vrabel only behind Robert and Jonathan Kraft in terms of power within the organization. Vrabel was heavily involved in free agency and pre-draft meetings at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he’s made it clear to the front office what types of players he’s prioritizing this offseason.
Eliot Wolf remains in his perch as executive vice president of player personnel, and the team hired Ryan Cowden — a long-time Vrabel confidant — as VP of player personnel. Some within the organization actually view vice president of operations and strategy John Streicher as Vrabel’s true No. 2.
We’ll start out with highlighting wide receivers the Patriots can add this offseason.
We’ll include Higgins, the top overall free agent, if only because he hasn’t officially been franchised yet. The Bengals have said they would like to sign Higgins to a long-term extension. It seems like franchising him will be a backup plan if a long-term deal cannot be reached, but he hasn’t actually received the tag yet.
If Higgins actually hits free agency, the Patriots would be in on him. But they would be far less inclined to give up major draft capital for Higgins then turn around to sign him to a massive long-term contract.
The Patriots currently have Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker on their 90-man roster at wide receiver. A source with knowledge of the situation thought that most of those receivers are best as No. 3 options in an offense.
Higgins is exactly the type of player the Patriots need at the “X” receiver role, but they will almost certainly have to pivot to lesser options.
The expectation is that Godwin will return to the Buccaneers. But if he hits the open market, then the Patriots will be interested.
Godwin is primarily a slot receiver at this point in his career, but he’s a damn good and dependable one. He just turned 29 years old and had five straight 1,000-yard seasons before playing just seven games in 2024, producing 576 yards and five touchdowns before dislocating his ankle.
Godwin would serve as an upgrade in the slot/Z receiver roles over Bourne, Douglas and Polk. Polk, a 2024 second-round pick, primarily played outside last season but was viewed by at least one team source as a better option in the slot.
Metcalf is a trade candidate, not a free agent, and one that the Patriots have internally discussed.
Similar to Higgins, it’s not ideal to give up valuable draft capital in the middle of a rebuild to add talent, but Metcalf is one of the few “X” receivers who could be available this offseason.
Still just 27 years old, Metcalf has 6,324 career yards in six seasons with 48 touchdowns. He’d provide a speedy downfield target for Drake Maye if available.
We know Kupp is available via trade, but it’s seeming increasingly unlikely that the 31-year-old, who’s due $20 million in 2025, will actually be moveable.
The Rams will likely need to release Kupp, at which point the Eastern Washington product would become a free agent.
Kupp is also a slot/Z option in the Patriots’ offense. They’d likely prefer to upgrade outside rather than in the slot, but the Patriots need dependable targets, regardless of where they line up, for Maye.
Palmer is a wide receiver who will likely garner a bigger market than expected due to the lack of options in free agency at the position.
The 25-year-old has caught 182 passes for 2,287 yards with 10 touchdowns in four seasons with the Chargers. He’s primarily an outside target.
Palmer wouldn’t be the splashiest signing, but he would provide an upgrade overall in the room, and he’s a proven outside receiver.
The Patriots are not expected to pursue free-agent wideouts Stefon Diggs or Amari Cooper.