Everyone's in full off-season mode with the NFL Combine coming up next week and free-agency mere weeks away.
Before the Patriots get their chance to improve in the NFL Draft, they'll get a chance to address some big needs on the open market. With $28 million available in effective cap space, they certainly have the means to do it as well.
ESPN's Matt Bowen highlighted two players, in particular, during his breakdown of his top 50 NFL free agents that would fit perfectly in Foxborough.
First on the list: Jacksonville right tackle Jawaan Taylor, assuming the Jaguars don't use the franchise tag on him.
"Taylor has the movement traits at 6-foot-5, 312 pounds to mirror speed and can handle power rushers. And at just 25 years old, Taylor has room for growth, too," Bowen explains. "The Patriots would have to spend some money to sign Taylor to multiyear contract. Last season, New England allowed 41 sacks (15th), and quarterback Mac Jones struggled when pressured, turning in a league-low 4.1 QBR in those situations."
A theoretical Taylor contract could cost about $14 million a year according to Spotrac, which is similar to what 49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey would command. That price would be well worth not having an edge rusher consistently screaming off of Jones' throwing side and causing tipped-ball interceptions or getting your quarterback knocked out (like Isaiah Wynn did to Brian Hoyer).
Jones isn't as much of a statue as he appears, but his lack of elite mobility and off-platform skills requires a better offensive line to keep him comfortable. Putting Taylor, who was a top-25 tackle in Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade (76.9; T-25th) and pressures allowed (16; T-21st), alongside Trent Brown or a highly drafted rookie on the left side could make them a good deal better up front.
But Bowen also had a more surprising possible addition to the Patriots: All-Pro Bills safety Jordan Poyer, who battled through an injury-plagued season to make the Pro Bowl in 2022.
"Poyer's multidimensional traits fit with Bill Belichick's scheme as a movable defensive player with deep-field range. Veteran safety Devin McCourty is set to hit free agency, so there is a need here," Bowen says. "A highly instinctual defensive back, Poyer could match in coverage, check tight ends or track the ball from post/deep-half alignments in New England. And he can play multiple roles in Belichick's sub-packages. Last season, Poyer logged four interceptions and eight pass breakups for the Bills."
Safety is far from the most pressing need for New England with Adrian Phillips and Kyle Dugger still under contract for next year. But with McCourty maybe heading into retirement, it wouldn't hurt to have more strength at a position that has become something of a cornerstone for the Patriots defense.
The 31-year-old has plenty of tread on the tires, and the Patriots shouldn't offer him more than a two-year deal at this point. But adding Poyer would arguably give New England the best safety room in the league and would aid in limiting the damage explosive offenses can do down the field against this defense.
As far as (potentially) departing Patriots go, Bowen lists Houston as the ideal landing spot for receiver Jakobi Meyers, citing Nick Caserio's knowledge of the receiver from the Houston general manager's time in New England.
