For Mike Vrabel, joining the Patriots is an ideal scenario. He gets to coach in the place where he’s won multiple Super Bowls as a former player, have access to the largest salary cap in the league this offseason, and he already has the most important piece of the puzzle figured out– the quarterback. There’s plenty for Patriots fans to be excited about. Despite these bright spots, I don’t think this will be a quick turnaround like we’ve seen in recent years with teams like the Commanders and Texans. There are simply too many holes to fill for this to be a one-year fix. The most pressing issue is that the Patriots need to solidify their offensive line and find a receiving corps that complements Drake Maye’s clear talent on the field. In a recent article by the NFL, Mike Vrabel stated that he isn’t looking to throw money around recklessly; he wants to carefully cultivate an environment for people to buy into—rather than opting for an overnight rebuild. I think this is the perfect mindset to have. With the Patriots, I expect something similar to Dan Campbell’s approach with the Lions: building up the team with smart draft picks and free agency signings. It may take a season or two, but soon the Patriots will once again have the potential to be one of the most competitive teams in the league.
The first area that needs attention for the Patriots is the offensive line. According to PFF, in 2024, the Patriots’ offensive line ranked 31st in pressure rate and 29th in sack rate, despite Drake Maye being one of the quicker quarterbacks in terms of time to throw— ranking 12th in that category. The good news—something that was frequently mentioned during the second half of the 2024 season—is that Drake Maye isn’t the issue. The bad news? The offensive line is extremely problematic. To improve in free agency, Cam Robinson would be an excellent option for a team in desperate need of a solid left tackle and veteran leadership. Especially since the Patriots should be looking to add further pieces to the offensive line through the draft, Robinson would serve as a strong foundation for young players around him. If the Patriots still want to draft someone at their fourth overall pick, Will Campbell from LSU looks like a day one starter, especially assuming he gets some veteran talent around him. While some have pointed out Campbell’s less than ideal wing span for a player at that position, I don’t think that alone is enough to pass on what looks like a great player. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you have great receivers or a standout running back if you don’t have the power up front to back it up. This will be the first thing the Patriots will need to address.
Beyond the offensive line, the Patriots’ wide receiver room requires an overhaul. In 2024, Drake Maye was throwing to players like Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne, with none of his receivers surpassing 1,000 yards in this season, or any season for that matter. If the Patriots want to fully unlock Drake Maye’s potential, they need to acquire some talent that can help him showcase it. The only issue is that the wide receiver free agent options are limited for a team like the Patriots. Top receivers want to go to a playoff-contending team, which the Patriots are not. One interesting option could be picking up Darius Slayton. While not a top receiver, Slayton is relatively young and could add some energy to the wide receiver room. Despite catching passes from a mix of Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito, and Drew Lock, Slayton still managed to have over 500 yards this past season. Slayton also had the second highest percentage of catches for a first down or touchdown in the league this year at 76.9%. It would be interesting to see how he’d perform with Drake Maye at quarterback and while getting more targets. Even with a free-agent addition, I still think the Patriots will need to address this position in the draft. Another player I like for the Patriots is Jaylin Noel out of Iowa. He appears to be a quick route runner and his style of play complements Drake Maye’s game—he’s great in intermediate ranges and excels at creating separation downfield. I think that adding these two players would serve as a good start to improve the wide receiver room while still saving more than enough money to fill out other positions of need elsewhere on the roster.
The Patriots have plenty of resources at their disposal, as well as a head coach who has proven he knows how to build a successful team. That coaching experience will be crucial for a team that has more needs than just at the offensive line and wide receiver room. For the Patriots, it’s all about finding the right pieces and fostering a culture that will propel the team forward in the years to come. One thing is clear: this offseason is one of the most important in Patriots history, and their success or failure will largely hinge on the decisions made in the wake of the 2024-2025 season.
