It feels like the Super Bowl just ended, but free agency is already upon us.
The “legal tampering” period - perhaps the most oxymoronic phrase in sports - begins on Monday, and players can begin signing contracts with new teams on March 12th.
The Patriots, coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons, have plenty of areas to improve and the most cap space in the NFL at just under $128 million. Even if you’re not a believer in the salary cap, the Patriots will have a massive amount of money to spend.
If New England wants to accelerate their rebuild and get back to being a playoff contender, these are the players they should be targeting next week:
Ronnie Stanley, LT, Ravens:
The Patriots have needed an upgrade at left tackle for several seasons.
The last time they had consistently high-level left tackle play was Trent Brown in 2018 (in case you need any more context, Drake Maye was in the middle of his sophomore season of high school). And over the past two seasons specifically, their left tackle play has been abysmal. Maye and Jacoby Brissett were under constant pressure in 2024.
Stanley would be an instant starter at left tackle. The 6-foot-6 offensive tackle turns 31 later this month. Stanley was a first-round pick in 2016 by the Ravens, and by 2019 he was a First-team All-Pro.
Things deteriorated from there. Due to injury, he played only 18 total games from the start of 2022 to the end of 2023.
In 2024, Stanley bounced back. He did not play up to his previous All-Pro level, but he played in all 17 games and was solid throughout the season. His pass blocking, with an 80.9 PFF Grade, was lightyears better than the Patriots’ tackles.
Stanley may never return to his previous All-Pro level of play, but he would give the Patriots an answer at left tackle and would be at least a top 15 player at the position.
Milton Williams, DT, Eagles:
If you watched the Super Bowl, you saw Williams and his Eagles teammates devastate the two-time defending champion Chiefs offense.
In Vic Fangio’s Philadelphia defense, Williams was especially adept at penetrating the inside of the pocket on passing downs. He played in all 17 games, and finished with 24 tackles and five sacks. He also ranked sixth in ESPN’s pass rush win rate among defensive tackles.
Williams turns 26 in April and has his best years ahead of him. He has not played more than 50% of the snaps in a season, so he will not walk in and be an every down player, but he could grow into that role.
Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers:
Godwin would be an excellent “Z” receiver in the Patriots offense provided he is fully healed from an ankle injury that ended his season in October.
Godwin, 29, has had over 1,000 receiving yards four times in his career, and was on pace to have another 1,000-yard season prior to his injury in 2024.
Prior to his injury, Godwin had 50 catches for 576 yards, five touchdowns and the 10th-best PFF grade in the NFL. He’s also won a Super Bowl, and would provide a respected, high-producing veteran presence the Patriots receiver group hasn’t had since Julian Edelman retired. And at 6-foot-1, 209 pounds, he would also not get pushed around in the run game or by pressing corners at the line of scrimmage.
Godwin would walk into Foxborough and be the best skill position player the Patriots have. Add in his previous championship experience and some time working in a modified Patriots offense with Tom Brady, and going hard after Godwin should be one of the Patriots’ priorities.
Poona Ford, DT, Chargers:
Ford is the second defensive tackle I have on this list for two reasons.
First, the Patriots have a significant (if not much discussed) need at defensive tackle. Davon Godchaux likely will not be back next year and Christian Barmore, while a great player, missed most of last season due to blood clots. The rest of the depth chart is thin.
Ford is not the pass rusher that Barmore or Williams are, but he is a good run defender who took his run defense to the next level in 2024. After disappointing seasons in Seattle and Buffalo in 2022 and 2023, respectively, Ford had a great 2024 for the Chargers.
Ford, 29, had 39 tackles, three sacks, five passes defended and one interception last season. He was Pro Football Focus’ fifth ranked defensive tackle and ranked third against the run among defensive tackles.
Adding Ford as part of a rotation with Barmore, and perhaps Williams, would make the Patriots much more stout up front and help the entire defense.
Nick Bolton, LB, Chiefs:
The Patriots linebacking group suffered greatly after Ja’Whaun Bentley was lost for the season with an injury in September.
New England needs to add to that group, and Bolton presents an interesting case.
A key piece on back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams in Kansas City, Bolton has been surpassed and overshadowed by his teammate Leo Chenal, who has become one of the best linebackers in the NFL. With that, and other financial commitments, the Chiefs appear to be willing to let Bolton leave.
He has had over 100 tackles in three of his four seasons. At 5-foot-11, 237 pounds, Bolton is smaller than both Bentley and Jahlani Tavai, but he plays with a physical edge and would add youth to a linebacking group that looked older and slower last year.
Charvarius Ward, CB, 49ers:
Cornerback is a sneaky need for the Patriots.
Christian Gonzalez is an All-Pro and Marcus Jones is a versatile slot corner, but New England doesn’t have a bona fide CB2 to start opposite Gonzalez.
While Jonathan Jones has had a great career and the team should re-sign him, but his play dipped at times last year and he doesn’t have much time left in his career.
Ward has been inconsistent, but at 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds, he would provide length and would have a potential impact in a role that doesn’t force him to be the top corner on the roster.
Third-year pro Alex Austin could also contend for the spot, but bringing in Ward at the right price would make sense.
Najee Harris, RB, Steelers:
Harris is coming off four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Pittsburgh. Harris also had 36 catches last season for a team with poor quarterback play.
Despite this, the Steelers declined to pick up his fifth-year option, so he will be available to sign.
Rhamondre Stevenson had his most inconsistent season as a pro with seven fumbles, the most by a non-quarterback in the NFL. Antonio Gibson had a solid season, but he is not a long-term answer at the position. Harris would come in and be a strong complement and potential replacement for Stevenson on the depth chart.
He’s a strong runner who rarely turns the ball over, and can be used as a receiving back. On top of those skillsets, he’s an above average, though inconsistent, pass blocker.
Jonathan Jones, CB, Patriots (re-sign)
Jones has two advantages.
1. He’s a solid veteran who has won multiple Super Bowls in New England, and can be a leader for a young team trying to get back to the high standard that has previously been set.
2. He’s my favorite player on the team…so the Patriots should work to keep him around!
Bonus:
Trade for a veteran wideout such as DK Metcalf or Cooper Kupp.
Stay locked in to WEEI and WEEI.com for all the latest on the Patriots’ offseason.