8 Free agents The patriots should aim

It feels like the Super Bowl was just ending, but the free agency is already standing in front of us.

The “legal manipulation time” – perhaps the most oxymoronic expression in sport – begins on Monday, and players can start signing with new teams on March 12th.

The patriots, which reduce 4-13 seasons in a row, have many areas that can improve and the largest place in the NFL with just under $ 128 million. Even if you do not believe in the salary limit, the patriots have spent a massive amount of money.

If New England wants to accelerate its reconstruction and again want to become a playoff candidate, these are the players to which they should aim for next week:

Ronnie Stanley, LT, Ravens:

The patriots needed several seasons to upgrade on the left duel.

The last time that in 2018 they consistently had a left-wing Tackle game at a high level (if you need another context, Drake Maye was in the middle of his second high school season). In the last two seasons, her left Tackle game was miserable. Maye and Jacoby Brissett were under constant pressure in 2024.

Stanley would be an immediate starter on the left tackle. The 6-foot 6-offensive dackle will be 31 later this month. Stanley was a choice in the first round of the Ravens in 2016 and was an all-reP of the first team until 2019.

Things worsened from there. Due to injuries, he played only 18 games from the beginning 2022 to the end of 2023.

Stanley jumped back in 2024. He did not play at his former all-project level, but played in all 17 games and was solid throughout the season. His passport blocking with an 80.9 PFF class was easier than the duels of the patriots.

Stanley may never return to his former all-Pro game level, but he would give the patriots an answer to the left tackle and be at least one top 15 player in the position.

Milton Williams, DT, Eagles:

When you have seen the Super Bowl, you have seen how Williams and his teammates of the Eagles devastated the two -time offense of the defending champion Champion Chiefs.

In the defense of Vic Fangios Philadelphia, Williams was particularly clever in penetrating the inside of the bag at the transition of downs. He played in all 17 games and ended with 24 tackles and five sacks. He also took sixth place in Espn’s Pass -Rush -Sieg -Rate under defensive tackles.

Williams turns 26 in April and has its best years ahead of him. He did not play more than 50% of the snapshots in one season, so he won’t be in and will be every down player, but he could get into this role.

Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaners:

Godwin would be an excellent “Z” hecreman in the Patriot’s crime, provided that he is completely healed by an ankle injury that ended his season in October.

The 29-year-old Godwin had over 1,000 heter four times in his career.

Before his injury, Godwin had 50 catches for 576 yards, five touchdowns and the 10th best PFF class in the NFL. He also won a super bowl and would no longer have had a respected, highly producing veteran presence of the Patriots recipient group since Julian Edelman. And with 6-foot 1, 209 pounds, it was not pushed around in the running game or by pressing corners at the border of the scrimmage.

Godwin would go in Foxborough and be the best player in the skill position that the patriots have. In his previous championship experience and some time in a modified patriot offensive with Tom Brady and go hard after Godwin should be one of the priorities of the patriots.

Poona Ford, DT, chargers:

For two reasons, Ford is the second defensive tackle that I have on this list.

First, the patriots have a significant (if not much discussed) needs in defensive tackle. Godchaux will probably not be back next year and Christian Barmore, while a great player missed most of the time last season due to blood clots. The rest of the deep card is thin.

Ford is not the Pass -rusher, the Barmore or Williams, but he is a good defender who brought his running defense to the next level in 2024. After disappointing seasons in Seattle and Buffalo in 2022 and 2023, Ford had a great 2024 for the chargers in 2024.

The 29 -year -old Ford had 39 duels, three sacks, five defense and a interception last season. He was Per Football Focus’ Fifth Ranged Defensive Tackle and third place against the run between defensive tackles.

Adding Ford as part of a rotation with Barmore and maybe Williams would make the patriots a lot more worker at the front and help the entire defense.

Nick Bolton, LB, Chiefs:

The Patriots Linebacking Group suffered Stark after Ja’whaun Bentley was lost for the season with an injury in September.

New England has to add this group and Bolton presents an interesting case.

Bolton is an important piece about successive Super Bowl championship teams in Kansas City and was exceeded by his team-mate Leo Chenal and became one of the best linebackers in the NFL. With this and other financial obligations, the bosses seem to be ready to let Bolton go.

He had over 100 duels in three of his four seasons. At 5-foot olar, 237 pounds is Bolton smaller than Bentley and Jahlani Tavai, but he plays with a physical edge and would add a youth to a linabacking group that looked older and slower last year.

Charvarius Ward, CB, 49ers:

Cornerback is a sneaky need for the patriots.

Christian Gonzalez is an All-Pro and Marcus Jones is a versatile slot corner, but New England has no real CB2 that opposes Gonzalez.

While Jonathan Jones had a great career and the team was supposed to sign him again, but his game sometimes immersed them last year and he didn’t have much time in his career.

Ward was inconsistent, but with a 6-foot 1 and 196 pounds he would afford length and have a possible influence on a role that does not forced him to be the upper corner on the roster.

Alex Austin in the third year could also fight for the place, but it would make sense to bring in at the right price.

Najee Harris, RB, Steelers:

Harris has four consecutive 1,000 yard playing times in Pittsburgh. Harris also had 36 catches for a team with a bad quarterback game last season.

Nevertheless, the Steelers refused to pick up its option for the fifth year so that he can sign.

Rhamondre Stevenson had his inconsistent season as a professional with seven fiddles, mostly through a non-quarters in the NFL. Antonio Gibson had a solid season, but he is not a long -term answer to the position. Harris would be a strong addition and a potential replacement for Stevenson in the deep card.

It is a strong runner who rarely turns the ball over and can be used as the reception back. In addition to these skills, it is an above -average, albeit inconsistent blocker.

Jonathan Jones, CB, Patriots (re -signing)

Jones has two advantages.

1. He is a solid veteran who won several super bowls in Neugland, and can be a leader for a young team who tries to get back to the high standard that was previously set.

2. He is my favorite player in the team … So the patriots should work to keep him!

Bonus:

Act against a veteran tap like DK Metcalf or Cooper Kupp.

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