Building off our 2023 Patriots depth chart and team needs, we'll take a 10,000-foot view of each need, by order of importance, with internal options to address it, free agent/trade possibilities and a quickie view of the position in the draft (plenty of time for that after free agency).
Need #1: Free safety
Need #2: Offensive tackle
Need #3: Tight end
Need #4: Cornerback
Need #5: Linebacker
____________________
Team Need #5: Receiver
On the roster: DeVante Parker (2024 UFA), Kendrick Bourne (2024 UFA), Tyquan Thornton (2026 UFA), Raleigh Webb.
Futures contracts: Lynn Bowden Jr., Tre Nixon.
Free agents: Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor.
Most have this higher up the needs list, which is understandable depending on what you believe about today's game and what's important. But the way the Patriots look at things, this is not an immediate need since they can field a solid receiving core with depth today even if Meyers and Agholor don't return (not a fantasy football team):
X WR: Parker
Slot WR: Bourne
No. 3: Thornton, with Nixon and Bowden as backups plus a draft pick or two.
But the Patriots could surely use more considering what you're seeing other teams do, even in this division. And when you look at the future and a year from now, it's downright frightening with only Thornton a somewhat proven player currently signed for 2024.
So the Patriots could use some immediate, and some developmental depth.
You know what that calls for? A double-dip, at the least. Acquiring a proven playmaker and getting one in the first three rounds of the draft would make the Patriots better this season, and give them options a year from now when Parker and Bourne could leave via free agency.
And there are plenty of good options out there this offseason via different team-building avenues.
TOP-TIER FREE AGENTS
Jakobi Meyers, Patriots (26): If you're looking for a rock-solid producer as a 2 or 3, Meyers is your guy. What is that worth in this market? Could be a lot. For the Patriots, can you use that money more effectively?
Odell Beckham Jr., free agent (30): Never got healthy enough after ACL tear in Super Bowl LVI — giving him ACL surgeries in both knees. It's all about health. Huge boom or bust potential.
DJ Chark, Lions (26): Was hurt early but returned and popped down the field and was good in the locker room. A bit underrated.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs (26): Had some injury issues but had a good postseason as a possession receiver to boost his market.
Mecole Hardman, Chiefs (25): Talent has always been there as a speedy playmaker but always dogged with injuries and inconsistency. A gamble.
MID-TIER/BUDGET FREE AGENTS
Parris Campbell, Colts (26): After constantly dealing with injuries, he was finally healthy in a contract year while flashing his top speed and playmaking potential. Will get overpaid.
Allen Lazard, Packer (27): Was miscast as a No. 1 for the Packers, but he has upside as No. 2 and is a good blocker.
Mack Hollins, Raiders (30): Love Hollins. He's a gamer, tough, blocks and excels on special teams. He's a very reliable No. 2.
Darius Slayton, Giants (26): Took a paycut but led the team with 46 catches despite continuing to struggle with drops.
Marvin Jones, Jaguars (33): Could have a little more left after being pushed down to 46 catches on a younger roster.
Jarvis Landry, Saints (30): The former Pro Bowler has been trending down the past few years.
Julio Jones, Bucs (34): Basically a big red zone target at this point.
CAP CASUALTIES
Braxton Berrios, Jets (27): If the former Patriots pick is half the price of Meyers, why wouldn't you do that?
Chosen Anderson, Cardinals (30): Patriots had interest a year ago. Another cheaper Meyers option.
Robert Woods, Titans (31): Could be a cost-effective option should Meyers leave. Had 2021 ACL tear. Is a solid third option.
(Possible) Adam Thielen, Vikings (33): Good possession guy but getting up there in age and has been expensive.
TRADE POSSIBILITIES
DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (31): Still a highly productive playmaker with a huge catch radius thanks to his enormous hands. Production fell off the last two seasons with team issues and his focus can wane at times, but when he's right, he's almost impossible to cover. Not a blazer, but will catch anything you throw up to him.
The going rate, according to reports, is a second-round pick and another conditional selection which might be on the high side considering he's supposed to make $34 million his final two years (given the cap ramifications, I'm surprised the Cardinals aren't waiting until June 2nd to deal him). But Hopkins said on the Pat McAfee Show he's willing to work with teams on his contract.
The potential trade compensation and playing ball on the contract is right up the Patriots' alley — like it's been worked out, if you've asked me. The Bill O'Brien stuff is completely overblown — Hopkins played really well for him, got an extension from the team and ownership forced the trade. Hopkins has been his best with O'Brien. Add in that Belichick loves Hopkins, is his type of receiver and former Patriots exec Monti Ossenfort is the GM in Arizona, this seems almost too obvious not to happen ... but who knows?
Keenan Allen, Chargers: The GM has said he's staying put — and not in the fashion that leaves a lot of wiggle room — and his contract is good this season. Allen seems more like a trade deadline deal.
Mike Evans, Bucs: If Tampa goes into rebuild mode, he seems to be a likely candidate. But he's 31 and not a great fit for the Patriots' scheme.
Tyler Boyd, Bengals: There's virtually no chance the Bengals are trading Tee Higgins in a potential Super Bowl year — they make players play out their contract. But Boyd could be had a slot alternative.
Jerry Jeudy, Broncos: After hiring an offensive head coach in Sean Payton, it would be surprising if they dealt their most talented young receiver.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers: Doesn't make sense for the 49ers.
Michael Pittman, Colts: In the Aiyuk box. Why would Indy deal him now? Possible deadline guy if season is lost.
Donovan People-Jones, Browns: Very underrated and someone I would ask about, but Cleveland looking to start anew with Deshaun Watson having a full offseason.
Chase Claypool, Bears: A huge disappointment in Chicago, but how much of that was just a bad offense and a QB that has issues throwing?
Van Jefferson, Rams: He is a lot better player than he's had a chance to show in LA, whether due to a crowded WR room or QB injuries.
DRAFT PROSPECTS
This is a quick look. We'll dive deeper into this before the draft.
Could be available at 14
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jr, WR, Ohio State, 6-1, 200: Had a 3-cone time that Belichick dreams about and is an inside/outside playmaker that would be an upgrade on Meyers.
Quentin Johnston, Jr, WR, Texas Christian, 6-4, 215: A physical freak at 6-4 with speed and explosiveness. A little bit of a project however.
LATER FIRST/SECOND ROUND CANDIDATES
Zay Flowers, Sr, WR, Boston College, 5-09, 182: Could be next great slot player. His playing style reminds me of Stefon Diggs.
Jordan Addison, Jr, WR, Southern California, 5-11, 175: Disappointing combine with a skinny frame probably pushed him down a bit.
Josh Downs, Jr, WR, North Carolina, 5-10, 175: The next tier of slot receiver after Flowers and JSN.
Nathaniel Dell, rJr, WR, Houston, 5-08, 163: 40 time wasn't great but he wins in a short area as a slot.
BEDARD'S EARLY PROJECTION
I may be completely wrong on this and just dreaming, but I'm hopeful that the Patriots do another one of their patented "big offseasons after disappointing seasons." I would absolutely love to see them pass on Meyers and use his money elsewhere with a double-dip that starts with the trade for a proven NFL playmaker, and ends with an athletic slot receiver in the draft.
The most realistic path to impact this season and to help Mac Jones is to trade for Hopkins, sign Berrios as the immediate slot and land either Smith-Njiba or Flowers in the draft to upgrade Meyers' spot for pennies on the dollar. That would give O'Brien something to work with, and the potential for an offense to put up some points.