Three years in the past, starved for expertise, the Patriots set a report for free-agent spending.

History shouldn’t repeat itself subsequent week, however the Patriots stay hungrier than ever.

Every place on offense might use a serving to of contemporary expertise, even after the crew re-signed tight finish Hunter Henry and added ex-Steelers proper sort out Chukwuma Okorafor this week. The Pats are additionally big-game searching on protection, aiming for elite starters underneath new head coach Jerod Mayo.

Free company will not be stocked with such blue-chip expertise, identical because it was three years in the past. Still, the Pats paid top-dollar for a number of gamers that yr, and landed only one Pro Bowler in Matt Judon. Granted, a Pro Bowl bar is an imperfect measurement, however nevertheless you dissect that free-agent class, the Patriots didn’t obtain sufficient return on their unprecedented funding.

Since then, they’ve made one playoff journey in three years, misplaced eight extra video games than they’ve received and backed into one other full-on rebuild. So how do they construct again correctly this yr?

Start with these gamers. A mixture of A-listers and cut price buys, who can fill speedy roster holes and lay the inspiration for the franchise’s future, whereas understanding the keystone of that future — a rookie quarterback — received’t be added till subsequent month.

Tier 1: Pro Bowl-caliber starters

CB L’Jarius Sneed

Projected contract: 3 years, $63 million

Here’s the rub with Sneed: having been slapped with the franchise tag, he’ll value a draft decide. Draft capital, clearly, is one thing any rebuilding crew needs to be reluctant to half with.

Here, the Pats make an exception in a commerce with Kansas City. More on that later.

To be clear, the Chiefs could not transfer off its reported asking value of a second-round decide, which not too long ago moved as much as a first-rounder, per NFL reporter Mike Giardi. If the Chiefs are versatile, nevertheless, right here’s the deal: the Patriots’ 2024 third-round decide — No. 68 general — and a conditional 2025 fifth-rounder.

Together, that provides to a second-round worth, per fashionable commerce worth charts. The Pats can recoup their fifth-round decide once they ship out Mac Jones, successfully making this deal a third-rounder for among the finest protection gamers within the NFL.

The 27-year-old Sneed is an extended, bodily nook who stands at 6-foot-1 and runs a 4.3. He was raised within the slot, then moved exterior the previous two seasons, the place he shadowed opponents’ prime receivers. Recently, that’s included future Hall of Famer Tyreek Hill and three-time Pro Bowler Ja’Marr Chase.

The listing of cornerbacks able to shadowing Hill and Chase is now not than 4 or 5 gamers.

Patriots free company preview: 5 defenders who might bolster unit

Sneed’s man-to-man expertise and flexibility make him the proper nook reverse 2023 first-round decide Christian Gonzalez. Together, they may type a top-5 cornerback duo within the league and unlock each protection, blitz and defensive name within the e book. More to the purpose: they’d shield their fellow defensive backs from unhealthy matchups, purchase the go rush extra time and restrict opponents’ game-plan potentialities, realizing exterior receivers will battle versus New England.

Again, the fee is dear. Perhaps even prohibitive. But if the Patriots need a tentpole participant at a premium place who can begin instantly and elevate his teammates, that is Sneed.

Go get him.

Tier 2: Above-average starters

WR Marquise Brown

Projected contract: 2 years, $26 million

This yr’s free-agent receiving class is stuffed with warts, now that Tee Higgins, Mike Evans and Michael Pittman Jr. are off the market. But if there’s one receiver who might out-perform a large contract, it is Brown.

Patriots free company preview: 6 large receivers who might slot in New England

Brown posted a 1,000-yard season taking part in for the run-heavy Ravens in 2021, then handled foot and heel accidents in Arizona the previous two seasons. He’s blazing quick and as fast as a mouse, abilities that permit him to play each exterior and within the slot. Unlike different diminutive receivers Brown (5-foot-9, 180 kilos), doesn’t want touches schemed for him, and might escape man-to-man protection.

Brown probably tops out as a No. 2 receiver throughout the league, however with the Patriots — who might nonetheless add a No. 1-type expertise in a wideout-rich draft — he would change into their far-and-away best choice. The solely clear-cut superior receiver accessible, Calvin Ridley, is three years older, comes with baggage and is anticipated to command a number of million extra.

EDGE Jonathan Greenard

Projected contract: 4 years, $68 million

At 6-foot-3, 263 kilos, Greenard suits the Patriots’ bodily prototype for edge defenders. He’s robust and relentless, tallying a career-high 12.5 sacks final season, plus 22 QB hits, two go deflections and a compelled fumble. Greenard has recorded at the very least eight sacks in each seasons he is earned at the very least a dozen begins.

Pairing Greenard with Judon would immediately type one of many NFL’s greatest edge-rushing duos, and permit the Patriots to probably change Judon, 31, after subsequent season. Greenard is a proficient go rusher getting into his prime at age 26. You need these gamers in your protection.

Tier 3: Solid starters

OT Jonah Williams

Projected contract: 3 years, $48 million

The 26-year-old began at left sort out for the Bengals from 2020-22, then flipped to proper sort out to make room for free-agent acquisition Orlando Brown Jr. Williams held up effectively, however performs his greatest on the left aspect, the place he would change Trent Brown in New England. Williams is an above-average pass-blocker with robust approach that masks his athletic shortcomings.

The Patriots might do quite a bit worse than including a confirmed starter with newfound positional versatility.

Tier 4: Reliable backups

QB Jacoby Brissett

Projected contract: 2 years, $18 million

The most blatant match available on the market makes essentially the most sense.

Patriots reportedly taking commerce calls on QB Mac Jones

Brissett loved his greatest season underneath new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. He began his profession in New England. He understands who he’s: a quarterback who lives among the many league’s worst 10 starters and 5 greatest backups.

Brissett has lengthy been heralded for his management and locker-room presence. Considering the Patriots may have a stopgap quarterback this season and may draft a brand new face of the franchise at No. 3 general, Brissett is the proper veteran to enhance that rookie.

RB Devin Singletary

Projected contract: 2 years, $8 million

Singletary would provide a stable change-of-pace again for Rhamondre Stevenson, who’s getting into a contract yr. He packs a sneaky punch at 5-foot-7, and boasts a well-rounded sport. Singletary can spell Stevenson on third down and make spot begins, having began 66 of 78 profession regular-season video games since getting into the league as a Bills third-round decide in 2019.

The solely query is whether or not final yr’s dip in effectivity proves he is misplaced a half-step or can nonetheless thrive in a lesser position. Singletary, whereas simply 26, has racked up greater than 1,000 profession touches.

WR Noah Brown

Projected contract: 2 years, $8 million

The 28-year-old has loved a late-career breakout, posting consecutive seasons with at the very least 550 yards after beginning as a core particular teamer. Last yr, Brown recorded two video games of 150-plus yards and made seven begins for the Texans. He probably tops out as a No. 3 or 4 receiver, however offers stable depth, good measurement (6-foot-2, 215 kilos) and big-play means.

DL A’Shawn Robinson

Projected contract: 2 years, $11.5 million

A gentle-eddy run stuffer, Robinson can play throughout the defensive position. He’s well-versed within the Patriots’ system and strategies, having performed his school ball at Alabama and in Detroit underneath ex-Pats defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. The Patriots not too long ago launched Lawrence Guy, and Robinson — who’s began 37 video games the previous three seasons — would make for a stable, extra versatile substitute.

Tier 5: Re-sign

OL Mike Onwenu

Projected contract: 4 years, $62 million

An offense aching for offensive line expertise can not let its greatest, extra versatile lineman go away. Onwenu could must be overpaid to be swayed to remain, however the 26-year-old is simply getting into his prime. Keep him at proper sort out or transfer him again to proper guard and let a rookie sort out begin.

Either means, the Patriots are higher with Onwenu on their roster.