The Patriots have added 10 new players to the roster since the beginning of free agency, but their work this offseason is clearly far from done. Whether they decide to fill out their team through further signings, trades, or April’s NFL Draft, here are the three biggest areas of need they must fill to avoid a Super Bowl appearance hangover in 2026:
Wide receiver
Eliot Wolf, Mike Vrabel and the rest of the Patriots brass made the most dramatic changes to the wide receiver room, starting with the release of leading pass catcher Stefon Diggs one week before the free agency legal tampering period even began.
Diggs was the only Patriot receiver to compile more than 1,000 yards in a season since Julian Edelman in 2019.
New England subsequently signed former Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs. Doubs, 25, is versatile weapon coming off his best season.
However, his 55 catchers for 724 yards is comparable to Diggs’ least productive season and his hands haven’t proven as strong and steady as Diggs’.
Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism round out the rest of the room. With all due respect, none of those guys looked poised to fill the role of a top receiver.
The Patriots may have to look to the trade market, (Philadelphia Eagle A.J. Brown’s name has been endlessly connected to Vrabel and New England through reports), or the draft to find a truly game-changing wideout for Drake Maye.
Edge
The Patriots’ pass rush was nothing to brag about last season. They finished the year 26th in the NFL with 35 sacks and have since lost the only player who ranked top-20 in tackles for loss: K’Lavon Chaisson.
Chaisson signed with the Washington Commanders and the Patriots took a different road, inking veteran defensive end Dre’Mont Jones.
Jones compiled seven sacks between his 2025 stints with the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens. He’s played seven years in the NFL, but was notably released by the Seattle Seahawks just two year ago.
New England has to add more add this position, especially considering the injuries linebackers Robert Spillane and Harold Landry III sustained throughout last year.
Both Wolf and Vrabel have extolled the upcoming draft for its depth at edge, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they target a player like Miami Hurricane Akheem Mesidor – a 6’3 pass rusher who spent six years playing college ball and is widely projected as a late first-round pick.
Running back
New England’s run game in 2025 was…an adventure, capped off with big-bodied back Rhamondre Stevenson exploding as the best offensive player in the playoffs.
TreVeyon Henderson showed plenty of potential for explosive plays and should continue to level up following his rookie year.
All that being said, the Patriots released running back Antonio Gibson, who tore his ACL early in the season, and retain only depth pieces Terrell Jennings and Lan Larrison on the roster. They really need a third-down back – someone with steady hands and the ability to pick up blitzes and block.
Most of the big-name backs finalized their deals as the first week of free agency wound down: Kenneth Walker III agreed to a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Etienne Jr. is headed to the New Orleans Saints.
Don’t be shocked to see New England take a swing at this need in the draft. They have Henderson on his rookie contract but still owe Stevenson nearly $5 million this year, and would likely enjoy filling out this position through another low-cost option, as rookie running back contracts have become the desired path of spending for the position.