The Patriots, with $120M in cap space and four Day 1 and 2 draft picks, have a chance to significantly improve their roster this offseason.

Let’s answer your questions about how the Patriots will go about bolstering their depth chart in this week’s mailbag.

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@BostAngeles
If you had to rank position groups of needed upgrade for the Patriots, how would you rank them? The order of importance for me:
1. OL
2. DL
3. WR

I agree with you if we’re combining defensive tackle and defensive end into that one group. If we’re breaking up those two positions, then I would put defensive end at No. 2, wide receiver at No. 3 and defensive tackle at No. 4. Offensive line/offensive tackle is far and away the biggest need on the roster.

On the Patriots’ current roster, you can really only count on Mike Onwenu and David Andrews (if healthy) to be starters. It’s possible that Layden Robinson, Cole Strange or Caedan Wallace could start this season, but you don’t want to count on them. And even if all five of those players have strong camps and are ready to start, then you’re still lacking a left tackle.

The only edge defenders on the Patriots’ current roster are Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, Truman Jones and Titus Leo. The Patriots need a player who can more consistently get after the passer.

The Patriots would ideally add a true “X” wide receiver, but at least Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas can start if needed or serve as depth options. Time will tell what the future holds for Javon Baker and Ja’Lynn Polk.

And at defensive tackle, the hope is that Christian Barmore can be back in the mix, but blood clots are obviously unpredictable. The Patriots still have Davon Godchaux, Eric Johnson, Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and Jaquelin Roy at that position. It needs an upgrade, but maybe not quite as desperately as offensive line, defensive end and wide receiver.

@wp898989
Day 2 RB?

It’s not obviously one of my top four needs, and I’d even put linebacker and cornerback over it, since Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson are both solid players.

But I would still be in favor of adding a running back on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s smart to take a swing on a mid-round running back every few years, and this class is loaded at the position. So, I wouldn’t even mind waiting until Day 4 as long as there’s not a serious run on running backs.

But the Patriots should be filling some, if not all, of their top needs through free agency. So, that could open up a spot for a lesser need like running back early-ish in the draft.

@cheezbrgr_posse
Coaching staff aside, how much worse was last season’s roster than 2021? My take is that is wasn’t that much worse of a roster, and if McDaniels took that 2021 roster to the playoffs…after improvements are made with the assets you point out, PLUS Drake Maye’s 2nd year….

That’s a good question. Let’s go by position. Quarterback: 2024. Running back: 2021. Wide receiver: 2021. Tight end: 2024. Offensive tackle: 2021. Guard: 2021. Center: 2021. Edge: 2021. Defensive tackle: 2021. Linebacker: 2021. Cornerback: 2024. Safety: 2021. Special teams: 2024.

So, the 2021 roster wins 9 to 4, but it’s probably closer than you might think.

@KraftsRob
Would you rather solve OT need in FA or the draft? To me, not many FA skill players this year – I think that’s what you focus on drafting. Will Campbell at 4 seems like a stretch.

I think it would be beneficial to come out of free agency with one of Ronnie Stanley, Cam Robinson, Alaric Jackson, Dan Moore Jr. or Jedrick Wills so that offensive tackle isn’t quite as big of a need in the draft.

I agree that Will Campbell would be a slight reach at No. 4 overall. There are some solid options later in the first round via trade up or if the Patriots stick at No. 39 overall in the second round.

@Marriru888
Question 2, can anybody talk about Boutte as a possible volume slot? He has very similar measurables to Edelman and seems to be an ascending player.

Boutte played a decent amount in the slot at LSU, but his best production has come outside, so I would lean towards keeping him there.

I think Boutte’s best role would be at the “Z” receiver spot. He was thrust into play “X” receiver in 2024 simply because he was the best option on the roster.

But if the Patriots can add a legitimate “X” like Tee Higgins, then Boutte could compete for snaps at the “Z” role with guys like Bourne, Baker and Polk.

I would stick with Douglas in the slot or try to upgrade by adding a player like Cooper Kupp or Chris Godwin.

@boom80517
Doug, we all know the big name free agents (frankly everyone’s list of ‘what the Pats need to do’ is just a regurgitation of top FA at POS of need). Who are some of the under-the-radar (more realistic IMO) FAs you expect them to be in on? Bonus points if tell who has connections?

More under-the-radar free agents with connections to the Patriots I highlighted in a recent article: TE Tyler Conklin (wide receivers coach Todd Downing, running backs coach Tony Dews), DT Levi Onwuzurike (defensive coordinator Terrell Williams), LB Robert Spillane (HC Mike Vrabel), CB Carlton Davis (Williams) and CB Rasul Douglas (safeties coach Scott Booker).

@jack5her1dan
Can we possibly get a haul like Carolina gave Chicago?

No chance. The Bears had the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft when they got two firsts, two seconds and D.J. Moore from the Panthers. The Patriots pick fourth. No team is giving up that package for the fourth overall selection.

@ThomasPLanger
How much influence do you think Mike will have when it comes to signing FAs and making Draft Picks?

Vrabel? A lot.