The offseason is tough for the New England Patriots. Since they’re no longer the free-agent hotspot they once were when Tom Brady was still around, they need to be more precise with how they recruit and draft players.
Jerod Mayo understands that it will be tough to rebuild from the ashes of the Bill Belichick era, and the team is already asking for understanding from the fans. Thankfully for him, there are plenty of top talent still up for grabs in the free agent market.
Yahoo! Sports’ Nick Goss collated some of the best free agents still kicking in the free agent market, and we’ll figure out which players will best suit the Pats’ rebuild under Mayo.
Which free agents should the New England Patriots target?
Wide receiver
The Pats tried (and failed) to snag Calvin Ridley from the Jacksonville Jaguars, so they will be eager to scour the free-agent market for any viable receivers they could get their hands on.
One name that immediately stands out in free agency is Odell Beckham Jr. The LSU product had an okay season after tearing his ACL in Super Bowl LVI. He can bring some much-needed swagger in a locker room that lacks one.
Other wideouts they can target include Hunter Renfrow, DJ Chark, Mike Williams, and Hollywood Brown.
Offensive tackle
Mike Ownewu stays in New England, but the Patriots could still use some powerups in the offensive line.
Tyron Smith would be one of the star acquisitions they can target. While he’s up there in age at 33 and missed a good chunk of games due to injuries, he’s proven that he can play in the trenches with his eight Pro Bowl appearances.
If they feel like Tyron would be too much of a risk, they can also opt for Donovan Smith or Trent Brown.
Cornerback
Christian Gonzalez didn’t get to play much in his rookie season due to injury, and fans will be eager to see him perform to his full potential. However, the New England Patriots could use a bit of help with their secondary.
Stephon Gilmore could make a return to the Pats as he played some of his best football with the team. The two-time First-Team All-Pro is getting up there with age, but he’s shown in his 2023 campaign with the Dallas Cowboys that he can still contribute.
Other targets they can complement Gonzalez with in free agency include Kendall Fuller, Xavien Howard, and Kristian Fulton.
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