3 free agents the Patriots should avoid in the 2021 offseason

The Patriots have over $62 million to spend in free agency but they can’t afford to make a big mistake. Signing one of these three stars would be a failure.

Bill Belichick rarely invests heavily in NFL free agency but this offseason should prove to be an exception to that rule. New England missed the playoffs last year and has over $62 million to spend on the open market. That’s a recipe for a spending spree in Foxborough.

It’s good that the Patriots have a lot of money to spend because their offense desperately needs an overhaul. The most pressing issue on that side of the ball is finding a quality starting quarterback. Cam Newton struggled mightily last season and is also a free agent. The problem for New England is that this year’s free-agent class isn’t exactly chocked full of quality signal-callers.

Finding weapons for whoever plays quarterback should also be a priority. The wide receiver room is shockingly low on talent. The lack of quality tight ends only exacerbates that issue for New England’s offensive staff. Lastly, the possibility of losing Joe Thuney and/or David Andrews in free agency puts the Patriots’ offensive line quality in jeopardy.

Belichick has plenty of wholes he needs to fill in free agency. He must avoid the temptation of signing any of the following trio if he wants to get the Patriots back into the playoffs in 2021.

3. T.Y. Hilton

Hilton would give the Patriots’ a meaningful upgrade at wide receiver in the short-term. However, New England needs to focus on getting younger. Paying big money to a 31-year-old wideout who depends on his athleticism to succeed is a poor example of potential roster construction for the Patriots.

The only way New England should be interested in Hilton is if he’s willing to take a one-year deal to chase a ring. The Patriots don’t have the kind of roster to tempt a veteran into that kind of move any longer. They need to look for younger, cheaper options to rebuild their offensive skill.