Top 3 positions the New England Patriots should target in 2023 free agency
The New England Patriots still need to add players. Their 2023 roster will certainly include new additions in free agency, perhaps someone decently priced.
The Patriots do have room to spend, with about $32.7 million of cap space (via Over The Cap), the fourth-most in the NFL. Their projected cash spending ($136 million) is 29th.
Here are the “Big 3” positions for the Patriots to spend on in free agency.
#3. Defensive Line
Even with Christian Barmore taking a step forward in 2023, this position is where the Patriots would benefit from an injection of explosiveness, particularly in the pass-rush.
The bulk of the impact coming from their defensive linemen under contract for 2023 is against the run, with Davon Godchaux and Lawrence Guy. When Barmore was injured, Daniel Ekuale took over many of his snaps, and is now on track to be a free agent himself. Nose tackle Carl Davis is also a pending free agent.
So, the Patriots have a logical spot to fill with a free agent. Ideally, Barmore stays healthy for the full season in 2023 and turns into a true every-week game-breaker himself. But they’ll also have to replace those snaps lost from Davis and Ekuale, if they aren’t re-signed.
If the Pats decide to make a surprise splash on the D-line, you’re talking about Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, the Commanders’ Daron Payne, and the Saints’ Marcus Davenport.
#2. Defensive Back
Devin McCourty still has not decided whether he will retire or continue playing in 2023, so if he calls it a career, maybe the Patriots get aggressive at safety.
But with or without McCourty, their biggest need is arguably a bigger outside cornerback to match up against No. 1 wide receivers.
Jack Jones showed awesome playmaking ability as a rookie in 2022, but at 5-foot-10, he may be limited against big pass-catchers.
They could stand to upgrade a spot that was held down by Jonathan Jones or Jalen Mills in 2022.
Cornerback is another position that could land the Patriots an immediate impact player in the first round of the draft, but they’ll have options in free agency.
For a legit top-of-the-market outside corner – which is not unprecedented in New England – the Patriots could target the Bucs’ Jamel Dean. If they don’t get that aggressive, James Bradberry and Rock Ya-Sin could be out there.
#1. Offensive Tackle
An easy one, but also an easy choice for free agency in particular. Several established, starting-caliber tackles are on track to hit the open market, and the Patriots have shown a willingness to pay a premium for offensive linemen, like they did with guards Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney . They’re due to make such a move at tackle, even if they still draft someone with the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Trent Brown is under contract for 2023, but his on-field performance in 2022 was inconsistent. He played all 17 games, but missed 19 games due to injury from 2020-21. He may end up entrenched in a starting tackle spot for 2023.
But if the Patriots can get Brown back playing consistently well at left tackle, that’s ideal. So their free-agent target would be at right tackle, assuming they finally move on from Isaiah Wynn. Niners tackle Mike McGlinchey would be an impactful addition.
