We’re running a weekly mailbag throughout the offseason. If you have questions on the Patriots, NFL, or want to gripe about past answers, email cmason@masslive.com or ask @bychrismason on Twitter or Bluesky. Now let’s get to this week’s questions!
If Chris Godwin and Tee Higgins are off the market, what is the plan for the Patriots at WR? – Adam B.
This scenario looks increasingly likely given reports about an extension and/or tag keeping Higgins in Cincinnati and Godwin buying more time to negotiate with Tampa Bay.
There’s no sugarcoating it: That’s not great for New England.
The first thing the Patriots should do is call the Jets about Garrett Wilson, who made his unhappiness known last season. However, given the ousting of Aaron Rodgers and their status as AFC East rivals, they’ll likely be rebuffed. Still, Mike Vrabel and co. need to do their due diligence and Wilson is the best possible scenario.
After Higgins and Godwin, there’s a precipitous drop-off in free agency. There are no No. 1 wideouts on the market and might not even be a true No. 2 at this stage.
However, that doesn’t mean the Patriots should sit idle. Their wide receiver room was the worst in the league last season. They need upgrades wherever they can get them.
That means turning to Darius Slayton next.
The Giants burner has been saddled with Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito, Tyrod Taylor and Drew Lock, but he’s still remained productive in New York. Abysmal quarterback play during his walk year likely depressed his market, which would be good news for New England. PFF projects Slayton landing three years and $37.5 million, a deal the Patriots can easily afford. It wouldn’t hinder other spending.
With Drake Maye under center and Josh McDaniels running the show, there’s reason to believe the 28-year-old wideout could find another level in Foxborough. For New England, Slayton is the best option of the bunch after Higgins and Godwin.
There will be bigger names out there — Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen — but given where the Patriots are in their rebuild, they don’t need declining wideouts on the wrong side of 30. Slayton gives them more upside.
One exception: Cooper Kupp, if he’s cut by the Rams. Slot receivers thrive in McDaniels’ offense, and Kupp could show the next generation how to excel in that role, even if it’s not a long-term fit. I don’t think it makes sense to trade for Kupp at this stage. But if he only costs money, why not?
Will Javon Baker have a bigger role next season and will Ja’Lynn Polk become the de facto go-to guy in McDaniels system? – Conor M.
Nobody in Foxborough could benefit more from a fresh start than Polk and Baker.
The wideouts delivered next to nothing in their first season. There’s nowhere to go but up. Polk’s rookie year was historically bad, while Baker simply couldn’t get on the field.
I really don’t see Polk being the go-to guy in McDaniels’ offense, but Baker’s role could grow if he realizes his potential. Talent has never been a question for the fourth-rounder out of UCF. It’s the classroom aspect that’s been an issue.
If fans are looking for a cause for optimism with Baker, his longtime skills coach, Steph Brown of Top Shelf Performance, offered an interesting perspective to WEEI’s Meghan Ottolini earlier this week.
“I can speak for Javon, because that’s my little brother,” Brown told WEEI. “He had to mature. It’s not his ability. He might be the best receiver in that room, physically, can do whatever you need to do. But you’ve got to mature, you’ve got to do things right, you’ve got to do things the way they want you to do it. It’s not your way. That’s the only thing that was holding him back. Some guys take a little bit longer to grasp the understanding that, ‘I’ve got to do it the way the organization wants me to do it.’ Not that he was rebelling or anything like that.
“Right now, he’s ready to work out right. He’s ready to get into it. He’s like, ‘I’m ready to go. My mindset is different now. Coach McDaniels is coming back, he’s been here, he can show me the right way. I’ve got a new receivers coach.’ This is him, just talking, like, he’s excited about it. Because now he has a year under his belt. He understands what it was. So hopefully he gets the opportunity to go showcase what he can do.”
Last year, the team decided to double down and re-invest in a number of players who were on the 4-13 roster, thinking the team may somehow get better. I’d expect Mike Vrabel and his team to deviate from that. Who are some key free agents that he may look to bring in? – Matt K.
Given where the market is at, I’d expect Vrabel to do some big game hunting on the defensive side of the ball.
Vrabel has made it clear that pass rush is going to be a priority in Foxborough, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Patriots pursue Eagles standouts Josh Sweat and Milton Williams.
Jets cornerback D.J. Reed could offer the secondary lockdown potential when paired with Christian Gonzalez, and given the lackluster linebacker play last season, it’ll be fascinating to see if New England takes a run at San Francisco’s Dre Greenlaw. Before tearing his Achilles in Super Bowl LVIII a little over a year ago, Greenlaw was one of the best backers in the league.
Those are four names that jump out to me on the defensive side of the ball. On offense, I’d expect them to be in on tackles Ronnie Staley and Alaric Jackson if they make it to free agency, and Slayton as mentioned above.
Any internal signings expected ahead of free agency? Austin Hooper? Jon Jones? – Rick H.
Among the unrestricted free agents, I don’t think so. Hooper had the least productive year of his career under Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas, so I’d bet he’ll hit the open market and try to maximize his potential elsewhere. Jones is the most likely of the bunch to re-sign, but I don’t see a ton of urgency on the part of the Patriots there. He could wind up a later-in-free-agency depth signing.
Will the Patriots spend any of that cap money? – Scott D.
If they don’t, the 1000-plus words that precede this question are going to look really foolish. As always, feel free to bookmark this!
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