I don't care about "winning" free agency, in that I don't care how it stacks up to other teams. But if the question is: have the Patriots used their resources to effectively address needs and improve their team, I cannot imagine how the answer, so far, is anything other than a robust A+.
They traded for and signed major offensive line help.
They added draft capital in another trade.
They added two significant defensive line pieces, which was hugely needed.
They added a premier pass rusher, which was perhaps needed even more.
They got real linebacking improvement with Van Noy and the return of Hightower.
They added secondary depth (not just a back-of-the-roster player, but a legit swiss army knife guy), which either improves depth or gives them room to make a deal.
They addressed the TE position in spectacular fashion.
They added two high quality WRs, which they desperately needed.
They kept some guys that could be key pieces for them in Johnson and Wise and Bethel.
They did all this without sacrificing any draft capital, and in fact added to it.
Now, there were two things about this offseason so far that might be negatives that we have to talk about if we're going to be fair. The first is the offensive line and particularly, losing Andrews and Thuney. I think we all felt like Thuney was almost certainly gone, and it appeared the Pats gave it a run to keep him but just couldn't, or didn't want to, match his KC offer. So that stinks but was expected. Andrews was the surprise loss to me, and it's a big one. He's really good. HOWEVER, they did sign a more than adequate replacement (and for much less $$) in Karras, they still have tons of quality on the OL, and you know they'll draft someone good, because basically whenever BB drafts interior OLinemen, he nails it. Kind of the opposite of him drafting for WRs, LOL.
The other issue is QB. I think that the improvements they made are so significant that even a guy like Cam should be able to be successful with this team. Great running game. Powerhouse offensive line. And now, FOUR - not one or two, but FOUR - excellent new pass-catching weapons. Plus Edelman should return healthy. Moreover, I *think* (just my opinion) that they will plan on trying to trade up for a QB in this draft, be it Trey Lance or Mac Jones (I'd prefer Lance but I'd be ok with drafting Jones, even though I wouldn't love trading up for him). So it's possible that all these new pieces will go for naught because the QB is still Cam at this point. But I don't think so. Remember....
Last year, Cam didn't have an offseason, Covid made practicing really difficult, Cam got Covid for pete's sake, the team had the hardest schedule in the league (or one of them), they had a ton of opt-outs, and they still went 7-9. It's not crazy to think that with (a) a full offseason, (b) an easier schedule, and (c) much much MUCH improved talent around him, that Cam can lead this team to 10 wins. Not crazy at ALL. And if they somehow improved at QB too? Look out.
So even with the negatives, I think the Pats have objectively CRUSHED it so far this offseason. As in....absolutely incredible job using their resources to address needs and improve the team. And they're not done yet. Not at all.