4 Patriots free agency targets they can realistically sign this offseason

The New England Patriots cut Stefon Diggs, their veteran 1,000-yard receiver from this past season. That move, while freeing up some cap space, provided an interesting offseason for the Patriots as they look to build a championship roster. Winning Super Bowl titles isn’t cheap, so New England will have to spend this offseason if they want to return to the Super Bowl and avenge this past season’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. 

The Patriots don’t have to rely exclusively on free agency to build their roster. But with these four targets, they’ll worry less about whether they have the pieces and more on whether they can stay healthy. This offseason will determine just how ready New England is to become an AFC contender.

WR Romeo Doubs

The Patriots letting Diggs go all but confirms just how important it is for them to replenish their receiver room. Romeo Doubs is the most obvious solution. He proved he can be a No. 1 receiver, and he’s young enough to take on that role. According to Spotrac, he could cost upwards of $12 million per year to sign this offseason. The Patriots have enough cap to work with that it’s not an outrageous number at all. Using StickToTheModel, I had to sign him for more than $20 million. 

Either number is worth it and how I look at it, adding Doubs is a priority, so money shouldn’t sway them one way or the other. In Green Bay, Doubs proved his worth; in New England, he’s capitalizing on it. 

OL Jonah Williams

Jonah Williams is insurance that Will Campbell doesn’t play like he did in the Super Bowl again. Think what the Detroit Lions did with Penei Sewell. They tried him at left tackle and it didn’t work, so they moved him to right and it became one of the best moves to help Detroit turn the corner. New England can have that sort of success with Williams. Is he the best tackle in the market? No. But he’s affordable and can hold down Drake Maye’s blind side. 

Williams can help improve this offensive line in a big way. The Patriots offensive line struggles got exposed throughout their playoff run and they can’t allow that to happen again. They don’t have to necessarily improve the entire line, but small moves can go a long way. In this case, adding Williams can take the pressure off Campbell. 

EDGE Jaelen Phillips

In this spending frenzy the Patriots could go on this spring, they add Jaelen Phillips to bolster their defensive line. The Patriots love playing man-to-man coverage, which puts pressure on their defensive line to overwhelm the quarterback.

Adding Phillips gives them a proven EDGE rusher that can generate some pressure. Phillips was traded from Miami to Philadelphia, and I doubt they re-sign him this offseason. That puts a solid EDGE rusher on the market for Mike Vrabel to pick up and work with to improve this Patriots roster. 

TE David Njoku

Hunter Henry has been an asset to this New England team for a few years now, but adding David Njoku for cheap has to be on New England’s mind. If they aren’t going to add more depth to the receiver room, the least they could do is add a weapon elsewhere.

The Cleveland Browns were able to get the most out of him, so you have to think in New England, he can improve this passing offense. Without Stefon Diggs, the Patriots have to get creative in keeping this offense competitive. Njoku is a great option to have, and he’s affordable too. 

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