The 2023 NFL Draft is over, the schedule is out for this upcoming season and the Patriots roster is starting to take shape. Though the majority of quality and big names have moved teams already this off-season, the Patriots could and should still look to bolster their 90-man roster heading into OTA’s and training camp. Looking over the available free agency list and potential trade candidates, I identified five post-draft Patriots free agents or trade targets that the team should look into to strengthen their team.
1. Broncos TE Albert Okwuegbunam
Heading into the 2022 season, the future seemed bright for Albert Okwuegbunam aka “Albert O”. The Broncos had a new offensive-minded head coach and they had just traded away Noah Fant to the Seahawks. All signs pointed towards Okwuegbunam becoming the starting tight end for the Broncos. Though what followed was basically the complete opposite. He played mediocre snaps early on and was eventually a healthy scratch by the season’s end.
Now, another new coach, Sean Payton is in charge, and the Broncos recently traded for now-former Saints TE Adam Trautman. It seems as though Albert O has no spot on the Broncos roster heading into 2023. Insert the New England Patriots. As the roster currently stands, the Patriots have no clear 3rd tight end. Plus, both Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki are free agents following 2023. Bill Belichick is known for finding underutilized players, bringing them to New England, and finding a role for them. Okwuegbunam would likely only cost pennies on the dollar compared to his value 12 months ago and would be worth taking a shot on.
2. Former Titans LB Zach Cunningham
Before free agency started in March, I identified fifteen targets for the Patriots and Zach Cunningham made that list. As I mentioned then, the connection between Cunningham and Belichick goes back to their pre-draft time together at Vanderbilt.
The Patriots 2022 linebacker core played some solid football. Nevertheless, adding Cunningham to the mix certainly wouldn’t hurt. The demand is clearly not there and Cunningham likely could be signed on a low-money, one-year deal.
3. Former Packers FS Adrian Amos
For the Patriots, they have filled the majority of their glaring holes this off-season. One that remains a bit of a need is the free safety position. With Devin McCourty retiring, the Patriots are left with CB/S hybrid Jalen Mills as the current projected starting free safety. Mills has spent his time at CB while in New England but played plenty of free safety with the Eagles earlier in his career.
Adrian Amos is a well-established veteran free safety that has consistently played solid football throughout his career. He’s very durable and is coming off a 102 tackle and one interception season with the Green Bay Packers. Amos could slide right into the starting free safety role and likely be an upgrade over what Mills can bring to the table. Amos could likely be signed on a 1-2 year deal for reasonable money.
4. Former Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette
As the Patriots roster currently stands, there are no reliable bodies behind starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson. 2022 draftees Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris showed some upside in year one, but neither are reliable options right now. The team also signed RB James Robinson, but after a rough 2022 season and an Achilles injury that has derailed numerous careers, Robinson’s far from a roster lock.
For Leonard Fournette, the connection goes back to last season when he visited New England before returning to the Buccaneers. Fournette could be a logical depth add for a Patriots team that clearly plans to be a run-first offense. He would likely only demand a one-year, low-money deal.
5. Falcons RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson
As I just mentioned above, there is a logical need for another reliable option behind Rhamondre Stevenson. Except here, the Patriots could look to bring back an old friend and fill possibly multiple roles in the Patriots’ offense. Cordarrelle Patterson spent his 2018 season in New England and it was that season that Patterson started to be used as a running back. Though it was only due to numerous injuries, Patterson was sparingly used as a traditional running back and this switch has seemingly prolonged Patterson’s career.
The Falcons used their first-round pick on Bijan Robinson and with Tyler Allgeier in the mix as well, there just isn’t a clear role for Patterson. Though he’s in the final third of his career, Patterson can still help a team in multiple ways. In 2022, he rushed for 695 yards and added another 122 as a receiver over 13 games. Adding Patterson back into the mix would give offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien another way to attack defenses. The cost would be cheap to acquire Patterson and it’s an addition that makes a lot of sense for both sides.
The Final Touches
Odds are this current roster is likely close to the roster the Patriots will have in week one. A major add is certainly more unlikely than likely at this point. With that being said, adding depth and filling the remaining holes are logical.
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