3 Moves The New England Patriots Must Make This Offseason
How the New England Patriots Can Make Big Moves in 2025
The New England Patriots have the resources this offseason to enter their Washington Commanders era.
That is, the Patriots are armed with the most cap space in the league, a top-five pick in April’s NFL Draft, a quarterback entering his second season, and some clearly defined needs to invest those resources in while playing in a fairly wide-open AFC East division.
Will general manager Eliot Wolf and new head coach, returning prodigal son, Mike Vrabel, be able to orchestrate a quick turnaround reminiscent of the Commanders’ unexpected run to the NFC Championship Game?
Here’s a full breakdown of the Patriots’ assets to rebuild with this offseason, and three moves that could turn the tide in New England.
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New England Patriots Cap Space
Wolf and the Patriots have the cap space to shop at the top of the free agent market to fortify quarterback Drake Maye’s offensive line, add at least one playmaking wide receiver, an offensive tackle, defensive end, safety, or tight end, and help with the pass rush.
Fortunately for the Patriots, New England is projected to enter free agency with upwards of $123.29 million in cap space.
The Patriots’ spending flexibility should make it relatively easy to quickly reshape this roster in Vrabel’s image and add a major infusion of talent in the coming months.
New England Patriots Draft Picks
For the second straight year, the Patriots will be selecting inside the top-four picks, but will need to get much, much more than the 2024 draft class contributed as rookies, if this rebuild is going to make any tangible progress.
Round 1, pick No. 4 overall
Round 2, pick No. 38 overall
Round 3, pick No. 69 overall
Round 3, pick No. 77 overall (via Atlanta Falcons)
Round 4, pick No. 107 overall
Round 5, pick No. 143 overall
Round 7, pick No. 217 overall (via Tennessee Titans)
Round 7, pick No. 220 overall
Round 7, pick No. 241 overall (via Los Angeles Chargers)
3 Moves The Patriots Must Make For This Offseason to Be a Success
Make Ronnie Stanley the Highest-Paid Offensive Tackle in the NFL
Nothing the Patriots do this offseason is going to matter if Maye is forced to withstand another 34 sacks, in just 13 games, this season.
Wolf and the Patriots need to make signing Stanley a top organizational priority, and they have the cap space to reset the market at the position.
Stanley has been a stalwart along the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line, and has the traits to be a franchise cornerstone in New England. Last season, Stanley only allowed two sacks and four quarterback hits, while finishing the 2024 campaign as Pro Football Focus’ No. 37 ranked offensive tackle in the league.
Signing Stanley would provide needed stability along the offensive line and perhaps be the most impactful move on Maye’s long-term development, and New England’s short-term designs on contending.
Take Will Campbell at No. 4 overall
These are desperate times at offensive tackle for the Patriots, and adding a starter at both spots could set the foundation for a bright future for the offense.
Campbell is as steady as they come and would be the ideal bookend opposite Ronnie Stanley, in this offseason scenario.
At 6-foot-6 and 323 pounds, Campbell is a road-grader, who plays angry. Pro Football Focus points out that Campbell only surrendered two sacks, combined, the past two seasons in Baton Rouge, while garnering an elite 80.6 pass-protection grade last season. Campbell may be exactly what the Patriots need to keep Maye upright in 2025, and beyond.
Sign Haason Reddick
Following a lengthy holdout after being traded by the Philadelphia Eagles to the New York Jets, Reddick finished with just one sack last season.
However, Pro Football Focus points out that Reddick still generated 26 pressures and three quarterback hits during the 10 games that he did play in. Free agency is always a bit like throwing your money down on the roulette wheel in Las Vegas, but, perhaps Reddick finally having his financial demands met on a top-dollar deal and playing for a defensive-minded coach like Vrabel could bring out the best in the 30-year-old edge rusher.
Much like offensive tackle, the Patriots need to make a significant investment at pass rusher this offseason, after producing a league-low 28 sacks last season.
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