An air of uncertainty nonetheless hovers above Gillette Stadium 4 days after the Patriots’ 2023 season got here to a detailed.
It’s nonetheless unknown who will really be making choices for the Patriots this offseason with Bill Belichick’s future unsettled, however the group has high-priority free brokers and the second-most wage cap area within the NFL to spend.
Let’s rank these free brokers by precedence whereas operating by way of your entire group.
1. OL Mike Onwenu
The offensive line has been a serious problem for 2 years now, however Onwenu has undoubtedly been a brilliant spot regardless of the place he has performed.
The 2020 sixth-round select of Michigan (the Patriots have had some success taking gamers from that college in that spherical by way of the years) started the 2023 season nonetheless recovering from ankle surgical procedure, needed to rush again, and began out at proper guard earlier than transferring over to solidify the fitting deal with place.
After Onwenu moved to proper deal with in Week 7, he was top-of-the-line gamers at his place within the NFL. He’s expressed a need to return to New England, and the sensation is mutual with the Patriots.
The Patriots will nonetheless want solutions at left deal with and proper guard (rookie Sidy Sow confirmed potential in Year 1) with Cole Strange returning at left guard and David Andrews nonetheless below contract at heart, however locking up Onwenu would clear up a serious query at proper deal with transferring ahead.
2. S Kyle Dugger
If the Patriots don’t convey again Dugger, who had a down season within the wake of Devin McCourty’s retirement, then they’re almost beginning over on the place.
Yes, Jabrill Peppers might be again, and that’s huge for the protection. But 2023 third-round choose Marte Mapu wasn’t prepared for a full-time function in his first season, and it appears unlikely that Adrian Phillips or Jalen Mills might be again in 2024. The Patriots like enjoying in an enormous nickel with three safeties on the sphere. Even assuming that Mapu may fill in for Dugger, they might nonetheless want one other starting-caliber participant on their protection.
Maybe the Patriots determine the most effective path to maneuver ahead is to let Dugger stroll, add a extra conventional free security and let Peppers and Mapu play within the field. But the protection performed very, very nicely with Dugger main the pack regardless of taking a slight step again. It’s in all probability greatest to not upset the apple cart and to only convey again Dugger.
3. WR Kendrick Bourne
There’s a major drop-off after Onwenu and Dugger.
Bourne was the Patriots’ greatest broad receiver this season earlier than tearing his ACL in Week 8, catching 37 passes for 406 yards with 4 touchdowns in lower than half of a season.
Bourne has let or not it’s recognized on social media that he actually needs to be a Patriot in 2024 and past. There have been many, many points with the Patriots’ offense this season, however Bourne was not one among them.
The Patriots may head into subsequent 12 months realizing that Bourne is an possibility within the “Z” function, DeMario Douglas can play the slot and that the group purely wants an elite “X” receiver to fill out the group.
DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster are nonetheless below contract however may both serve depth roles or be on the skin trying in by September.
4. OLB Josh Uche
Uche, like Dugger, is a gifted participant who had a down season on the improper time.
One 12 months after registering double-digit sacks for the primary time in his NFL profession, Uche noticed his stress numbers drop from 56 in 2022 right down to 37. His sacks went from 10.5 down to only three.
The 2020 second-round choose remains to be an excellent go rusher, however his ceiling is proscribed within the Patriots’ protection since he actually isn’t trusted to defend the run at 6-foot-3, 240 kilos.
The Michigan product was on the sphere for simply 29.1% of snaps this season even if the Patriots misplaced one other edge defender, Matthew Judon, in Week 4.
For the fitting worth, Uche can nonetheless be a invaluable presence within the Patriots’ protection, however one other group very nicely may worth him extra.
5. TE Hunter Henry
On the floor, it makes all the sense on the earth to convey Henry, a group captain in 2023, again. But cash may make issues tough.
The veteran tight finish signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract in 2021, and he’ll flip 30 subsequent season. Despite signing three years in the past, Henry’s APY of $12.5 million nonetheless ranks tenth amongst tight ends.
A very good tight finish is tough to search out, however they’re nonetheless not paid nicely. Dalton Schultz completed eighth amongst tight ends in receiving yards in 2022 and signed only a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Texans this offseason.
So, would the Patriots nonetheless be keen to make Henry one of many top-paid tight ends within the NFL? And if not, would he take a decreased wage to stay round?
Best of the remainder: CB Myles Bryant, OLB Anfernee Jennings, RB Ezekiel Elliott, LB Mack Wilson, TE Pharaoh Brown, WR Jalen Reagor, TE Mike Gesicki, S Jalen Mills, S Cody Davis, OL James Ferentz, OT Riley Reiff, OT Trent Brown, restricted free agent LB Terez Hall, ST Matthew Slater
Exclusive rights free brokers: CB Alex Austin, LB Christian Elliss, QB Nathan Rourke, OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr., S Joshuah Bledsoe, WR Tre Nixon
Source: www.bostonherald.com