Where The Patriots Got Better Or Worse In Nfl Free Agency

Even though they did not go on another record-breaking spending spree like in 2025, the New England Patriots were still quite busy refurbishing their roster in this year’s NFL free agency.

In all, a look at our Patriots Free Agency Tracker shows that they added 12 outside players since late February, re-signed two of their own free agents, and parted ways with 13 players either through release or them signing elsewhere. Five free agents, meanwhile, remain unaccounted for.

And while they might not be done either — the market is effectively open year round — the big moves have been made and the general state of the roster reset heading toward the draft. Did the reigning AFC champions get better, though? Let’s go through the roster position by position to find out where change was made, and whether or not it left the team trending up or down in those particular spots.

Quarterback

90-man roster (2): Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito

In: —

Out: QB Joshua Dobbs (released)

With last year’s No. 2, Joshua Dobbs, getting released, the Patriots got worse at the quarterback position on paper. However, the real difference might not be the quality of players — one could argue the downgrade from Dobbs to new QB2 Tommy DeVito is minimal if even that — but rather the quantity. New England adding another player in the draft or subsequent rookie free agency could very well happen.

Offensive backfield

90-man roster (5): Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Reggie Gilliam, Jack Westover (unsigned ERFA tender), Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison, Brock Lampe, Elijah Mitchell

In: Reggie Gilliam (3 years, $10.8M)

Out: Antonio Gibson (released)

The Patriots made some investments in their backfield, signing Reggie Gilliam to a three-year deal and tendering Jack Westover as an exclusive rights free agent. While those moves bolstered the fullback depth chart, the running back portion of the group is relatively light: with last year’s RB3, Antonio Gibson, getting cut in late February, the position is quite shallow and unproven behind starter-caliber options Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. Lan Larison in particular looks like an intriguing developmental player, but New England nonetheless appears to be in the market for some running back help come the draft.

Wide receiver

90-man roster (8): Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III, Jeremiah Webb, John Jiles

In: Romeo Doubs (4 years, $68M)

Out: Stefon Diggs (released)

The Patriots had their sights on Alec Pierce and remain a candidate to swing a trade at the position — A.J. Brown and Brian Thomas Jr. have been mentioned as targets — but at the moment they only made one addition, signing ex-Packer Romeo Doubs to a four-year deal. Doubs is a viable perimeter target but he also has the positional flexibility to replace veteran Stefon Diggs, who was released in early March after leading the team in catches and receiving yards in 2025. On paper, Doubs gives the team a higher upside but he still has to show that he can produce at a similar level as Diggs and therefore become the WR1 he is paid to be.

Tight end

90-man roster (4): Hunter Henry, Julian Hill, C.J. Dippre, Marshall Lang

In: Julian Hill (3 years, $15M)

Out: Austin Hooper (signed by Falcons)

It became clear that Austin Hooper has reached the end of the line in New England, and the Patriots effectively replaced his role as a blocking tight end with Julian Hill. Whether or not the move will be an upgrade remains to be seen, but Hill’s youth makes this a worthwhile investment. That said, another long-term option being added through the draft — Hunter Henry will turn 32 in December — very much could be on the club’s shopping list.

Offensive tackle

90-man roster (6): Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Marcus Bryant, James Hudson III, Sebastian Gutierrez, Lorenz Metz (international exemption)

In: James Hudson III (1 year, $1.4M)

Out: Vederian Lowe (signed by 49ers)

The Patriots rostered three backups behind starting tackles Will Campbell and Morgan Moses in 2025, and only one of them currently remains on their roster: 2025 seventh-round draft choice Marcus Bryant. Meanwhile, Vederian Lowe left for San Francisco and Thayer Munford Jr. is still on the market after undergoing offseason knee surgery. New England did add James Hudson on a one-year pact as extra depth, but the position still looks like a serious need at the moment — especially considering Morgan Moses’ age and the unproven nature of the backup group.

Interior offensive line

90-man roster (7): Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Ben Brown, Caedan Wallace, Andrew Rupcich, Mehki Butler

In: Alijah Vera-Tucker (3 years, $42M)

Out: Garrett Bradbury (traded to Bears)

Garrett Bradbury was solid last year, but the Patriots felt good enough about 2025 third-round draft pick Jared Wilson to trade him to Chicago and hand the youngster the keys to the center position. Wilson had a rough go as a rookie left guard, but moving back to his natural position and adding some quality next to him in the form of Alijah Vera-Tucker should help him make a jump in Year 2. Looking solely at the group’s ceiling, this is therefore a better one than last year’s. However, a lot hinges on Wilson’s development and Vera-Tucker being available after having played just 43 of 85 possible games over his first five seasons in the league.

Interior defensive line

90-man roster (7): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Leonard Taylor II, Eric Gregory, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.

In: —

Out: Khyiris Tonga (signed by Chiefs)

Even though Khyiris Tonga played less than a third of total defensive snaps in 2025, he was a valuable contributor as an early-down nose tackle whenever available. In that sense, the Patriots have yet to replace him even though they do feel good about their depth behind starters Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. Still, with that depth largely unproven in a Tonga-like role, this is one position that on paper became weaker in free agency. On to the draft, probably.

Defensive edge

90-man roster (5): Harold Landry III, Dre’Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Jesse Luketa

In: Dre’Mont Jones (3 years, $36.5M), Jesse Luketa (1 year, $1.145M)

Out: K’Lavon Chaisson (signed by Commanders), Anfernee Jennings (released)

Speaking of positions getting weaker: the defensive edge. The Patriots’ most disruptive pass rusher and most consistent edge setter will both not be back in 2026, creating significant questions about the group’s outlook. Free agency pickup Dre’Mont Jones is a well-rounded player (more well-rounded, in fact, than both K’Lavon Chaisson and Anfernee Jennings) whose starter-caliber presence should help in that regard, but the group as a whole is still lacking from a depth perspective. Unless New England’s staff feels supremely confident in the likes of Elijah Ponder and/or Bradyn Swinson making the famous second-year jump, the edge could very well be the top priority come the draft.

Linebacker

90-man roster (7): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, K.J. Britt, Marte Mapu, Chad Muma, Otis Reese, Amari Gainer

In: K.J. Britt (1 year, $1.4M)

Out: Jack Gibbens (signed by Cardinals), Jahlani Tavai (released)

On paper, the Patriots also downgraded at the linebacker spot. Jack Gibbens was a serviceable if unremarkable third option at the position whose role will now likely be taken over by free agency pickup K.J. Britt. Meanwhile, Jahlani Tavai will not be back after an up-and-down 2025 campaign; his versatility as a hybrid off-ball edge option is now missing from the group. The belief is that New England will add a linebacker in the draft.

Cornerback

90-man roster (8): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Charles Woods, Kindle Vildor, Kobee Minor, Marcellas Dial Jr, Brandon Crossley

In: Kindle Vildor (1 year, $1.4M)

Out: Alex Austin (signed by Dolphins)

The Patriots effectively replaced Alex Austin with Kindle Vildor, who is older but also offers more experience than his predecessor. Ideally, of course, Vildor will remain a depth option throughout the year — very much like Austin was down the stretch in 2025. Whether that makes him an upgrade or downgrade cannot be said at the moment. The team effectively stood pat at cornerback.

Safety

90-man roster (6): Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler, Mike Brown, John Saunders Jr.

In: Kevin Byard (1 year, $7M), Mike Brown (1 year, $1.35M)

Out: Jaylinn Hawkins (signed by Ravens)

Kevin Byard is coming off a first-team All-Pro season that saw him lead the NFL in interceptions, but there is some leap of faith involved when it comes to signing a soon-to-be 33-year-old free safety. There is some variance involved, after all: if Byard keeps his form, he will be an upgrade over Jaylinn Hawkins; if not, however, the team will have to hope that the drop-off is not severe enough to hamstring the entire secondary. We are optimistic, which is why we classify the safety group as an upgrade compared to 2025.

Special teams

90-man roster (4): Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby, Niko Lalos

In: Niko Lalos (1 year, $1.01M)

Out: —

The Patriots added a second long snapper to the mix. What that says about incumbent Julian Ashby will be seen, but on paper the group is now deeper and more competitive. That’s not necessarily a bad thing with 90 roster spots available at this point in the offseason.