With the first wave of free agency complete and the NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror, the Patriots still have several intriguing options available to strengthen their roster further.
Although many of the biggest names have already come off the board, there are still impactful veterans on the market who could fill key needs for New England ahead of the 2026 season.
Here are five remaining free agents the Patriots could target with OTAs a little over two weeks away.
Joey Bosa, Edge
The Patriots addressed their pass rush this offseason by trading up in the second round to select edge rusher Gabe Jacas out of the University of Illinois and signing Dre'Mont Jones in free agency.
Still, Jacas remains an unproven rookie, and Jones has never recorded more than seven sacks in a season, leaving edge rusher as a position where New England could still use additional help.
While Joey Bosa is no longer the dominant force he was during his prime with the Chargers, the 31-year-old can still provide meaningful production for a contender. Last season in Buffalo, Bosa totaled five sacks, five forced fumbles, and 42 pressures. He has reached double-digit sacks four times in his career, a mark no Patriots defender hit last season. Harold Landry led the team with 8.5 sacks, while New England's defense managed just 35 overall.
Bosa may no longer be an every-down edge defender, but he could thrive in a rotational role while Jacas adjusts to the NFL. Beyond his on-field production, Bosa's experience, technique, and discipline against the run would make him a valuable veteran presence and an ideal mentor for the Patriots' young second-round pick.
Matt Milano, Linebacker
A player the Patriots know well after facing him 13 times over the past nine seasons, Matt Milano became one of the NFL's most respected linebackers during his tenure in Buffalo. The former All-Pro is coming off his age-31 season, recording 67 tackles in just 12 games. Injuries have limited him in recent years, but when healthy, Milano has consistently proven to be a productive and impactful defender.
New England did little to address the inside linebacker position this offseason. While Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss performed admirably last season, neither possesses the résumé or upside Milano brings. Known for his instincts and football IQ, Milano has a knack for finding the ball and making timely plays. His versatility is another major strength, as Buffalo frequently utilized his speed in coverage and as a spy against mobile quarterbacks.
Milano also has strong ties to New England, having played at Boston College from 2013 to 2016. During his collegiate career, he appeared in 50 games and earned the William J. Flynn Team MVP award in 2016.
A return to the Northeast could make plenty of sense for both sides, as Milano could provide valuable depth, leadership, and situational versatility to Mike Vrabel's defense.
Jonnu Smith, Tight End
Patriots fans may still have a sour memory of Jonnu Smith's stint in New England.
During his two seasons in Foxborough, the tight end totaled just 539 receiving yards and one touchdown, production that fell well short of expectations.
Still, there's reason to believe the circumstances played a major role in those struggles.
Smith spent much of his Patriots tenure catching passes from Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, and his career before and after New England suggests he remains a productive offensive weapon.
Before joining the Patriots, Smith flourished in Tennessee under Mike Vrabel, establishing himself as a dynamic, versatile tight end. Since leaving New England, he has also found success with Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Miami, including an 884-yard, eight-touchdown campaign with the Dolphins just two seasons ago.
Despite entering his 10th NFL season, Smith has rarely benefited from elite quarterback play. Over the course of his career, he has primarily played alongside quarterbacks such as Ryan Tannehill, Jones, Desmond Ridder, Tua Tagovailoa, and a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers.
If paired with Drake Maye, Smith would have the most talented quarterback of his professional career throwing him the football.
The Patriots also have a clear need at the position following Austin Hooper's departure in free agency. Beyond Hunter Henry, who will enter his age-31 season this fall, the depth chart consists of blocking specialist Julian Hill and rookie Eli Raridon.
Considering how effective Maye was targeting tight ends last season, adding another experienced pass-catching option could be a smart move for New England's offense.
Deebo Samuel, Wide Receiver
The Patriots took a step toward improving their receiving corps with the addition of Romeo Doubs, and the expectation is that A.J. Brown will eventually find his way into a Patriots uniform.
Still, New England's offense lacks a true gadget weapon, a dynamic playmaker who thrives with the ball in his hands. That is exactly the type of element Deebo Samuel would bring.
Samuel is the definition of a "joker" offensive weapon, capable of lining up virtually anywhere on the field. Whether split out wide, operating from the slot, or taking handoffs out of the backfield, his versatility forces defenses to account for him on every snap.
With his combination of strength, burst, and open field elusiveness, Samuel is one of the league's most difficult players to bring down once he gets into space. His skill set would give Josh McDaniels a wide range of creative ways to deploy him within the offense.
Although the seven-year veteran is coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career, the circumstances around him played a significant role. Samuel spent much of the year catching passes from backup quarterback Marcus Mariota while operating in an offense that lacked consistent playmaking talent.
Samuel will still be just 30 years old when the 2026 season begins, and he offers a dimension the Patriots offense currently lacks: explosiveness and versatility.
Stefon Diggs, Wide Receiver
This one feels like more of a pipe dream… but if the Patriots do trade for A.J. Brown following the June 1 deadline, a receiver room starring Brown, Romeo Doubs and Stefon Diggs would cause insomnia for defensive coordinators across the AFC East.
With his legal issues now seemingly behind him, the risk surrounding Diggs appears far less significant for New England. Patriots fans saw last season that the 32-year-old still has plenty left in the tank, as he recorded 85 receptions, which ranked 12th in the NFL, along with 1,013 receiving yards, good for 16th in the league. Diggs remains one of the NFL's most elite route runners, consistently finding soft spots in zone coverage while bringing toughness, intensity, and a competitive fire to the locker room.
Drake Maye also appeared to develop strong on-field chemistry with the four-time Pro Bowler. While some off-field drama and baggage may follow Diggs, there is little question about the impact he can have on an offense. He elevated New England's passing attack last season and continues to provide clear value whenever he steps onto the field.
