The New England Patriots are entering the 2025 offseason with a significant amount of cap space and a desire to improve their roster. With a new coaching staff in place, led by head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots are expected to be aggressive in free agency.
One of the Patriots’ top priorities is to improve their offense, particularly the wide receiver position. One potential target is Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is expected to hit the open market after being franchise-tagged last season. Higgins has the size, speed, and catch radius that the Patriots have been lacking, and he could be a key addition to their offense.
Another area of focus for the Patriots is their offensive line, which struggled at times last season. One potential target is veteran tackle Cam Robinson, who has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings. Robinson would provide stability at left tackle and give the Patriots the flexibility to address other areas of the offensive line in the draft or free agency.
The Patriots are also expected to target a cornerback in free agency, with Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis being a potential target. Davis offers a physical presence in coverage and run support, and he could pair well with Christian Gonzalez to solidify the Patriots’ outside cornerback position.
Other potential targets for the Patriots include Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith, who has developed into one of the best guards in the league, and Los Angeles Rams tackle Joseph Noteboom, who offers versatility and experience.
If the Patriots are able to land these players, they would have aggressively rebuilt their offensive line, added a top receiving weapon, and solidified their cornerback position. This would raise the floor of their roster and give them the flexibility to focus on strategic improvements in the draft.
Here are the potential contracts for each of these players:
Tee Higgins: Four years, $116 million, $69.5 million guaranteed at signing ($29m AAV)
Cam Robinson: Three years, $57 million, $33 million guaranteed at signing ($19m AAV)
Carlton Davis: Three years, $50 million, $27 million guaranteed at signing ($16.5m AAV)
Trey Smith: Four years, $85 million, $59 million guaranteed at signing ($21.25M AAV)
Joseph Noteboom: Two years, $25 million, $14 million guaranteed at signing ($12.5M AAV)
These contracts would total $98 million in cap hits, which is still $32 million short of the Patriots’ projected cap space. This would give them room to re-sign key veterans, extend players like Marcus Jones, and sign their 2025 draft class.
Overall, the Patriots have the opportunity to make significant improvements to their roster this offseason, and they are expected to be aggressive in pursuing top free agents.
