LIVE BLOG: Patriots free agency
Alright, the NFLs legal tampering period is set to kick off in just under two hours as of this writing and I’ll be here with all the updates and instant analysis as deals come in.
The Patriots have roughly a billion dollars in cap space and everyone on the roster with the exception of like three guys sucks so I will be very generous with my signing grades, as anyone we sign is immediately an upgrade.
Sidenote: Why don’t they just officially start free agency today? Basically just making teams wait a day before their guys can sign a piece of paper.
Below is my wishlist of players to acquire and a recap of moves the Patriots have made so far. I’ll be updating this as deals (hopefully) come in, so check back periodically throughout the day.
Wishlist
Chris Godwin — WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I can’t watch Kayshon Boutte be our #1 again. Just can’t do it. Godwin is a steady, talented, high character receiver and #1 on my big board.
UPDATE: Re-signed with the Bucs. Boutte is is :/
Cam Robinson — OT, Minnesota Vikings: The Vikes acquired Cam as a fill-in for the injured Christian Darrisaw so they’re more than happy to let Robinson walk. Is he the greatest offensive tackle in the world? No. But he can play the position at an average to above average level which makes him Trent Williams as far as the Patriots are concerned. In a weak tackle market, Robinson is set to cash in above his actual worth which is fine by me. Pay the man.
Jaylon Moore — OT, San Francisco 49ers: Relatively unproven but he’s young and has looked solid filling it for Trent Williams on the left side. Again, literally anyone is an upgrade.
UPDATE: Chiefs scooped him up like two seconds into free agency. Sounds like tampering to me. Take Patrick Mahomes from them!
MORGAN MOSES — OT, New York Jets: Big, experienced vet to lock down the right side with Onwenu? Sold.
UPDATE: WE GOT HIM
MILTON WILLIAMS — DL, Philadelphia Eagles: Disruptor in the middle, wreaked havoc throughout the playoffs. Now gets to chase a bag. Come on down.
UPDATE: Panthers just scooped him. That one hurts, was linked to us for a while.
UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: THEY DIDN’T GET HIM TO SIGN THE DOTTED LINE, WELCOME TO NE BIG BOY
Josh Sweat — Edge, Philadelphia Eagles: He’s not coming here but it would be fun. Guy is a monster.
UPDATE: Cards scooped him. Good get for them. Was a fun dream but didn’t make sense after our other signings.
Will Fries — OG, Indianapolis Colts: Pats need another starting guard and he’s the best of the bunch. Sign this man.
UPDATE: Vikings scooped him. Shame, we need a left guard.
Drew Dalman — C, Atlanta Falcons: I’ll take a sumo wrestler at this point. Just acquire mass to put in front of my beautiful boy Drake.
UPDATE: Bears threw him a bag. Nice to know some teams are interested in fixing their lines.
CARLTON DAVIS/Charvarius Ward/Byron Murphy, CB: I don’t view corner as a massive need but it may be with Jonathan Jones potentially walking. These guys are all relatively the same age and very solid players. Odds are one of them likes money.
MURPHY UPDATE: Back to the Vikes
WARD UPDATE: Colts signed him to a big deal.
DAVIS UPDATE:
Signing reactions
1. Harold Landry III — LB, Tennessee Titans: 3-Yr, $43.5M
Harold Landry from…? BOSTON COLLEGE. Love this move. Landry is a game-wrecker who makes himself known anytime you have the distinct misfortune of turning on a Titans game. He gets after the QB and gives us a real pass rusher. Actually had a few classes with this guy at BC and he is…not a small person. One more signing on the DL and we’re suddenly in good shape there.
Signing grade: A-
2. Austin Hooper — TE, New England Patriots, 1-yr/$5M
Cheap deal for one of Drake’s safety blankets and 1 of 2 targets who ever got open on this miserable excuse of a football team. Sold American.
Signing grade: B
3. Robert Spillane — LB, Las Vegas Raiders, 3-yr/$37.5M
1:00PM — First signing of the tampering window is here. Spillane is exactly the kind of player Vrabel wants on his defense. High motor, strong football IQ, vocal leader on defense, dark visor. In 2024, he was third in the NFL in tackles. Not among linebackers. In the entire NFL. This team has been strapped for talent at LB for years and Spillane elevates that group substantially. Great signing.
Signing grade: A-
4. Carlton Davis III — CB, Detroit Lions, 3-yr/$60M
1:18PM — One word: DAWG. The Patriots have created a no-fly zone with signing of Davis to compliment Gonzo. C-Murda, as he’s called, is a beast in the run and pass game and brings much-needed versatility back there. He plays with a massive edge and has the gritty, no bullshit attitude Vrabel wants. Great culture fit for what coach is trying to build. Needs to stay healthy but he’s a stud and certainly not lacking in confidence:
“Guys who know ball understand the impact that I have. Teams know about me. They scheme around me. They’re scared of me. They know what’s up. I’m playing my best ball, and I’m gonna be even better this year.”
Defense is really starting to take shape. Get another big boy on the line and we’re looking unreal.
Signing grade: A
5. Morgan Moses — OT, New York Jets, 3-yr/$24M
1:40PM — May as well be the biblical Moses as far as Pats fans are concerned. Moses is a reliable veteran right tackle, who has been around, can play the position well and is a great presence in the locker room. It’s a cheap deal for a solid player who can add a little extra cash to his retirement bank. And as my friend Evan has been harping on all offseason, this dude has MASS. Love it.
Sidenote: We’re definitely losing a draft pick for tampering here. Diana Russini accidentally tweeted out a graphic with Moses and the Pats logo on it yesterday before we were technically allowed to negotiate.
Signing grade: B
6. Milton Williams — DT, Philadelphia Eagles, 4-yr/$104M
2:13 PM — FROM THE CLOUDS. After he was reported to be in agreement with the Panthers on a deal, the Pats top defensive target changes course and agrees with NE on a 4-year deal worth a shitload of money. Guy is an absolute monster and game wrecker in the middle who, along with Barmore, Landry, and White, should make opposing QBs lives hell. HUGE get. Biggest signing of the day so far. This defensive line is suddenly a monster.
Signing grade: A+
7. Khyiris Tonga — DT, Arizona Cardinals, 1-yr/$2.7M
4:51 PM — Never heard of this guy but he’s 6’4” 338 and clogs up the middle. In other words, MASS. Figures to be a rotational depth piece to help out the run defense. Decent chance he gets cut in training camp though given that I can barely find any photos of him from his last team. Regardless, I’ll take all the support we can get in the trenches. Hopefully he fills in for Godchaux as “massive guy who contributes nothing.”
Signing grade: C
8. Josh Dobbs — QB, San Francisco 49ers, 2-yr/$8M
5:37 PM — Sure, why not? Dobbs is an experienced backup for about half the league and comes at a relatively cheap price. Need a few more impact guys now.
Signing grade: D+
9. Mack Hollins — WR, Buffalo Bills, 2-yr/$8.4M
7:19 PM — The good: he’s a true, big-bodied X receiver who’s a hard worker, fan favorite, and is perfectly fine playing in cold weather (see above). The bad: He’s on the wrong side of thirty and we have like eight WR4s on this team. It’s receiver by committee if every member of the committee is terrible at their job. Would have rather saved this money and devoted it as part of a bigger WR or O-lineman deal. Feels like we’re spending just to spend.
Signing grade: F
