This offensive position is Patriots’ No. 1 free agent priority, per report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots have money to spend in NFL free agency next month, and the team’s plan of attack is beginning to emerge.
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe and Chad Graff reported Thursday that the Patriots’ “top priorities in free agency, according to team and league sources, are, in order, wide receiver, offensive tackle and tight end.”
It’s no secret the Patriots need help at wide receiver. Demario Douglas had a nice rookie season, but he’s likely never going to be a No. 1 wideout, or even a No. 2 on a Super Bowl contender. The Patriots could draft a wideout, such as Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But taking a quarterback in that spot makes much more sense.
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The free agent wide receiver class is headlined by Calvin Ridley, who tallied 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. Michael Pittman Jr. could also join free agency if he’s not franchise tagged by the Indianapolis Colts.
Other intriguing free agent wideouts include Marquise Brown, Darnell Mooney, Gabe Davis and K.J. Osborn, among others. Those guys aren’t top-tier wideouts, but they’re better than most, if not all, of what the Patriots currently have on their depth chart.
Even if the Patriots re-sign offensive tackle Mike Onwenu, they still need more depth at that position. Free agent tackle Jonah Williams, who could play at the right tackle spot, would be a good target for the Patriots.
Dalton Schultz is our No. 1 ranked free agent tight end. He caught 59 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns for the Houston Texans last season. Schultz was a dependable target for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Hunter Henry, who spent the last three seasons with the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/offensive-position-patriots-no-1-182109398.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-02-29 18:21:09
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