Last season, the Patriots had one of the worst offenses in the league, scoring the fewest points in the NFL and ranking poorly in almost every significant metric. De facto general manager Eliot Wolf acknowledged this and mentioned plans to strengthen the offense during the offseason. This year’s draft is rich in talent at wide receiver, offensive tackle, and quarterbacks, offering a good opportunity for a rebuilding offense. However, free agency doesn’t offer the same level of talent, as many high-end players have been retained by their teams. While the Patriots could consider trading for players like Tee Higgins or Michael Pittman Jr., it might be more prudent to invest in younger, more dynamic players with fewer injury concerns. Despite the absence of top-tier skill players in free agency, there are still a few available players who could bring an explosive element to the Patriots’ offense. Below are the top offensive free agents the Patriots could target in free agency. The contract projections are provided by PFF’s Brad Spielberger.
Jerod Mayo, the head coach, explained that “weaponizing the offense” means having players that force the defense to prepare for them, citing double-teams as an example. The Patriots haven’t had this kind of threat since Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, but Calvin Ridley could be the closest thing in this year’s free-agent class.
After taking a break from football and serving a gambling suspension, Ridley made a strong comeback with his second 1,000-yard season. He offers a combination of size, speed, route-running skills, and versatility in different receiver positions.
Although Ridley’s age and previous issues with drops are concerns, his performance improved last season. The Patriots may need to pay a premium for him, but he could be worth the investment as one of the top free agents available.
In comparison, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, a dynamic receiver on the market after Ridley, lacks traditional size but makes up for it with speed and route-running ability. Inconsistent quarterback play and a tendency for drops have affected his stats, but he has shown improvement in the past two seasons.
Brown’s injury history and smaller frame are potential drawbacks for the Patriots, especially with another undersized receiver in DeMario Douglas. However, with a limited pool of receivers after Ridley and Brown, New England could consider a one-year deal to give Brown a chance to prove himself while adding a big-play threat to the offense.
