The Patriots’ greatest need this offseason is no secret.

It’s been a glaring weakness for months.

The Pats need more edge pass rush outside of defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore if they want to avoid ramping up their blitz rate to obscene levels near 50%, as they often did in the playoffs. Harold Landry’s midseason knee injury did the defense no favors, but now K’Lavon Chaisson’s impending free agency is the bigger problem. Chaisson led the Patriots in total pressures last season, and would leave behind a dearth of proven options if he signs with a new team.

According to sources, the Pats hope to retain Chaisson, and could sign two or more edge rushers in free agency. Here are the names to know, with contract projections courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Top targets

Jaelan Phillips

Ht/Wt: 6-5, 266

Age: 26

Projected contract: $15 million per year

The former Dolphin went for a third-round pick at the trade deadline, when the Patriots had interest but lost a bidding war to the Eagles. Phillips totaled 44 pressures over nine games in Philadelphia, where he showcased all the first-round potential scouts saw when he was drafted back in 2021. If Phillips’ injury woes are behind him — he played in only a dozen games over the 2023-24 seasons — he offers arguably the best value and upside among the top edge rushers on the market.

Of note: Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is the best edge defender available, but league sources did not tie the Patriots to the 31-year-old at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Odafe Oweh

Ht/Wt: 6-5, 251

Age: 27

Projected contract: $19.5 million per year

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) during the second half of an NFL game this past season. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Another edge rusher traded before the deadline, Oweh destroyed the Patriots in the playoffs, recording three sacks and a forced fumble in a wild-card loss for the Chargers. A 2021 first-round pick, Oweh had just one 10-sack season over four-plus years in Baltimore, where the Ravens never fully maximized his elite athleticism and quickness. Oweh then posted 10.5 sacks and 16 QB hits over 13 games in Los Angeles.

He leans a bit smaller, but Oweh nonetheless graded out as an average run defender most seasons, per PFF.

Mid-level veterans

K’Lavon Chaisson

Ht/Wt: 6-3, 255

Age: 26

Projected contract: $15 million per year

Few, if any, free agents timed their breakout season better than Chaisson, a 2020 first-round pick who finally looked the part in New England. Chaisson paired his elite speed rush with a new bull rush to set career highs across the board. While his run defense still lags well behind his pass-rushing talent, the difference Chaisson can make on third downs and other high-leverage situations should earn him a nice payday.

He’s a gifted athlete in the prime of his career with new tools in his bag. The only questions are now: can he maintain this production? And will the Pats keep him?

Boye Mafe

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 261

Age: 27

Projected contract: $16.3 million per year

An ascending player, Mafe created more hurries and hits in Seattle than sacks. He totaled 146 pressures over the last three seasons, according to PFF, and performed well as a run defender. Because of the balance in his game, Mafe’s price range could vary more than other top edge rushers available. Physically, he fits the prototypes the Patriots look for at this position, and they are plenty familiar with his work after he tallied three pressures against them in Super Bowl LX.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) fights off pressure from Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) before throwing a pass during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl LX. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Dre’Mont Jones

Ht/Wt: 6-3, 281

Age: 29

Projected contract: $10 million per year

The Patriots had interest in Jones at the trade deadline, but talks never seriously advanced, per sources, which allowed him to go from Tennessee to Baltimore midseason. He finished with seven sacks combined and an impressive 24 QB hits. Jones is the only player listed here who can kick inside and provide pressure as an interior rusher, something he’s done for multiple teams. He’s also one of the surest tacklers available regardless of position.

Kwity Paye

Ht/Wt: 6-3, 265

Age: 27

Projected contract: $10 million per year

Paye was a five-year starter for the Colts, who could opt to retain him. If not, the Patriots are a team to watch for the 2021 first-rounder, who has modest career production but a terrific first step. He seems best suited for a rotational role at his next stop.

Bargain bin

Arnold Ebiketie

Ht/Wt: 6-2, 250

Age: 27

Projected contract: $8 million per year

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Ebiketie has never lived up to his draft status as a former top-40 pick with long arms, good hands and plus athleticism. He filled a rotational pass-rushing role in Atlanta, where he recorded six sacks in two seasons but never topped 40 tackles. Signing Ebiketie would mirror the team’s addition of Chaisson last spring, when they inked him to a one-year flier contract hoping to buy low and extract some untapped potential.

Joseph Ossai

Ht/Wt: 6-5, 263

Age: 25

Projected contract: $7 million per year

A hard-charging pass rusher, Ossai totaled just 14.5 sacks over four seasons in Cincinnati. He’s the youngest player on this list and one of the best projected fits for Mike Vrabel’s culture, but lacks the ability to bend around the edge like other free agents.

Kingsley Engbare

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 258

Age: 26

Projected contract: N/A

Another flier candidate, Engbare was a rotational pass rusher in Green Bay. He entered the league as a fifth-round pick out of Northwestern in 2022, and is on the Patriots’ radar, according to a league source.