The Patriots understood where they went wrong.
Last spring, the team started strong when they opted to not trade the No. 3 pick and draft Drake Maye. Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, sources told MassLive that the Patriots goal was to find up to five starters in that draft class.
Ultimately, after Maye, the results weren’t what anyone hoped.
According to a league source, after the first round, the Patriots opted to draft for need. That’s why they opted for two receivers and two offensive linemen in the next three rounds – Ja’Lynn Polk, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson, and Javon Baker. Out of that group, Robinson had the biggest impact.
This time around, however, the Patriots want to position themselves to draft the best player available, according to a source.
The belief is that with Mike Vrabel’s vision and Eliot Wolf’s scouting system, the Patriots will have better results in this year’s draft class. To successfully adhere to drafting the ‘best player available,’ the Patriots know they need to fill roster needs in free agency.
Coming out of the Combine, the expectation is that they’ll accomplish some big goals.
Although Jerod Mayo had to walk back his comments about the team having cash to burn, the Patriots did enter free agency last year wanting to spend.
According to multiple sources, the Patriots were taken aback by how many players didn’t want to come to New England – even if there was more money on the table. The Patriots goal last year was to sign receiver Calvin Ridley and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. They were also turned down later in the summer by receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Top free-agent tackle Tyron Smith also didn’t want to come to New England.
This offseason, sources believe the Patriots will have more luck in free agency and expect the team to be “aggressive.” The reason for optimism boils down to Maye and Vrabel.
Last year, the Patriots had a rookie head coach and no quarterback on the roster. Now, Maye looks like a future franchise quarterback and Vrabel is a well-respected coach. The hope is that those factors (along with the team having the most cap space) will turn the tide in the Patriots favor.
The Patriots have a laundry list of roster needs. Their top priority, according to league sources, is clear. The team is prioritizing the trenches and plans on rebuilding their offensive line. Vrabel and Wolf know they need to better protect Maye.
It’s not going to be easy.
Talent evaluators aren’t bullish on the Patriots returning players. One league source predicted the only starter at the end of last season who will start next fall is Michael Onwenu.
Where will he play in 2025?
Last offseason, the Patriots re-signed the veteran offensive lineman with the plan of playing him at right tackle. Instead, he moved to right guard. Internally, one source believes right guard is still Onwenu’s best position. Another source noted that he could play right tackle since he did so in Josh McDaniels’ system during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
That point was reinforced by Wolf last week.
“I think ideally Mike is a guard. But again, some of those decisions haven’t been made yet,” Wolf said. “Mike has played tackle for Josh. Doug Marrone, I don’t believe has even met him yet. So we’re going to get to the point where we’ll make the best decision for the team.”
Odds are that the Patriots keep Onwenu at right guard and when free agency begins on Monday, the Patriots search for three new starters – both tackle positions and at left guard.
Ronnie Stanley is the top free agent tackle and the Patriots will have legitimate interest if the Pro Bowler hits the open market. After Stanley, the next best left tackle options are Dan Moore Jr., Cam Robinson and Jerrick Wills. At right tackle, the team could bring in a veteran like Morgan Moses to compete with Caedan Wallace. At left guard, the Patriots could look at the likes of Teven Jenkins, Dillon Randunz, and Patrick Mekari.
After striking out last season, the team’s leaders are expecting better results in 2025.
“We’re not afraid of anything. We just have to have options,” Vrabel said last week. “You can’t just say we’re going to get this guy because you’re not going to bat 1.000. Everybody else is trying to go for the same player. Having a really detailed plan and approach is probably the only thing to make sure we are doing, which I believe we are. Being able to quickly pivot on the next option and understand where that line is.
“We’re not going to sign players just to sign them. But making sure we have a plan in place for ‘OK, if it’s not this player, then is it this player? Or is it this player?’ That’s what I want to make sure that we do.”
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