Free Agency: 3 Patriots Targets?
Coming off a disastrous 3-14 season, it goes without saying that the New England Patriots have plenty of holes on their roster. One of the biggest being quarterback; however, don't let that fool you into believing this is a team that is a quarterback away from making the postseason.
That notion certainly hasn't fooled new coach Jerod Mayo, who, in a recent interview, stated that the Patriots are heading into the offseason with the mindset of burning cash to upgrade their roster.
With $66 million in projected cap space this offseason, according to OverTheCap, and the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Patriots certainly have the resources to make that plan a reality.
While Christmas has passed, the NFL's version of the Holiday season is upcoming with free agency and the draft. So, who should be at the top of the Patriots' wishlist this year in free agency?
1. WR, Tee Higgins
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) smiles as he scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 16 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021.
Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
Quarterback aside, receiver is arguably the biggest need for New England. Last offseason's prized addition of JuJu Smith-Schuster didn't bring the production worthy of the three-year $25 million deal he signed. This means the Patriots will likely have to take another swing at signing one of the top receivers this year.
So, adopting the philosophy of "swinging for the fences," atop the Patriot's wishlist should be current Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. That is even if the former Clemson Tiger makes it to free agency because the Bengals can franchise tag him.
However, despite a down year this past season as Higgins played in just 12 games as he struggled with injuries, he is still likely set to become the next market-setting receiver.
Before his injury-riddled 2023, Higgins recorded two back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons while playing in a Bengals offense that paired him out-wide with Ja'Marr Chase.
If the Patriots opt to find their next franchise quarterback through the draft, then splashing the cash on Higgins would certainly make sense as it'd end their search for a true No. 1 option.
2. OT, Jonah Williams
Again, this would be another position that you can argue deserves to be at the top of any wishlist for the Patriots this offseason. But after a disastrous season offensively that featured a makeshift offensive line that was either hampered by injuries or just lacing viable starting options, the Patriots need reinforcements.
With Trent Brown all but a free agent at this point, left tackle will be a position of need for the Patriots, and with a veteran like Jonah Williams potentially available, it seems like a sensible signing.
Not only could Williams be the answer at left tackle, but after the Bengals signed Orlando Brown Jr. last offseason, he spent this season as the right tackle, another area where the Patriots could reinforce if Michael Onwenu departs in free agency.
3. QB, Gardner Minshew
It would have been easier to put a proven starting quarterback like Kirk Cousins at No. 1 but after the recent hints from Mayo about what the Patriots plan to do with the No. 3 pick, it seems they will find their quarterback through the draft.
With that in mind, we opted to drop a quarterback down to No. 3, as the Patriots could use help at receiver and offensive tackle. However, even with a rookie quarterback, the Patriots should still consider adding a veteran who can act as a mentor and even be a bridge option if needed.
Current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew could be that for the Patriots, considering that is what he did for Anthony Richardson this past season before the latter suffered a season-ending injury.
After Richardson started the first four games, Minshew took over for the final 13 and performed admirably, leading the Colts to a 7-6 record as their starter. One of those wins included the 10-6 victory of the Patriots in Germany.
