The Patriots aim to enhance the NFL‘s least productive offense from 2023. Here are the top remaining choices in free agency.
The Patriots struggled significantly on offense last season, evident from their league-low scoring record and poor rankings across major metrics. Acting as the de facto general manager, Eliot Wolf acknowledged this challenge during media discussions at the combine, expressing intentions to bolster the offensive side during the offseason. While the draft presents ample opportunities for rebuilding with its abundance of talented prospects in positions like wide receiver, offensive tackle, and immediate-impact quarterbacks, the same cannot be said for free agency.
Typically, teams secure top talents before they hit the open market, as seen with Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman Jr. receiving franchise tags, and players like Mike Evans and Dalton Schultz signing contract extensions with their respective teams. While the Patriots could consider trading for players like Higgins or Pittman Jr., it might be wiser to invest in younger, more dynamic players with fewer injury concerns who offer greater explosiveness.
Although there won’t be marquee skill players available, there remain a few options capable of injecting some much-needed explosiveness into the Patriots’ predominantly sluggish offense.
Head coach Jerod Mayo articulated “weaponizing the offense” as acquiring players that demand defensive attention, citing double-teams as an example. The Patriots have lacked such a threat since the days of Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, but Calvin Ridley could potentially fill that role in this year’s free-agent pool.
After a hiatus from football in 2021 and serving a gambling-related suspension in 2022, Ridley made a resounding return with his second 1,000-yard season.
Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 190 pounds with exceptional speed, Ridley is among the few available receivers who combine decent size with explosiveness.
He exhibits astute route-running skills, executing precise patterns without unnecessary movement, and possesses outstanding abilities in ball-tracking, concentration, and catching. Furthermore, Ridley demonstrates positional flexibility, adept at winning one-on-one matchups on the sideline as an X receiver, utilizing motion effectively as a Z receiver, or exploiting matchups in the slot against cornerbacks.
Primary concerns regarding Ridley revolve around his age and issues with drops, although the latter improved notably after the initial month of the previous season. He joined the league as a 23-year-old rookie and is currently 29, which could be a daunting factor for a player potentially commanding over $20 million as the undisputed top receiver in the market.
For the Patriots, securing top free agents after a 4-13 season will come at a premium, but Ridley stands out as one of the few players worth the investment. While committing to a salary approaching $25 million per year might be uncomfortable, New England should strive to outbid other suitors for a lower price if possible.
