{"id":65989,"date":"2026-03-08T05:00:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T09:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=65989"},"modified":"2026-03-08T07:43:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T11:43:55","slug":"patriots-news-03-08-free-agency-frenzy-begins-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/03\/08\/patriots-news-03-08-free-agency-frenzy-begins-tomorrow\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots News 03-08, Free Agency Frenzy Begins Tomorrow\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, and a happy Sunday to all. Here is your Patriots news for 03-08, along with NFL notes this week. The NFL Scouting Combine is in the rear-view mirror, the legal tampering period starts tomorrow, and the new league year officially begins on Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots\u2019 biggest free agents, K\u2019Lavon Chaisson, Khyiris Tonga, and Jaylinn Hawkins, will all test free agency. And it is unclear who, if any return in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

Did anyone see the Patriots’ plane<\/a> shuttling Americans back from the Middle East? Good to see the plane being used during the offseason. I wonder if any of the people on board that flight would rate the travel as an “F”, as the NFLPA survey did?<\/p>\n

Stefon Diggs’ Release Opens Avenues But Is Also A Risk:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Patriots told Stefon Diggs he will be released this week when the new league year begins. While not a shocker, the timing was somewhat of a surprise. And the timing is what explains why.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots are following their playbook from the Bill Belichick years; they\u2019d rather let a player go a year too early, rather than a year too late. Diggs was a locker-room leader, an emotional sounding board, and a terrific veteran presence for the team and for Drake Maye in 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the 2025 regular season and playoffs, Diggs had 99 catches for 1124 yards and five touchdowns. And this was coming off a torn ACL in October of 2024. When discussing his on-field impact, it should be noted that in 2024, the Patriots ranked 32nd (dead last) in passing yards with 3,343. In 2025, Diggs was a major reason the Patriots jumped to #4 in passing yardage with 4,459.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diggs posted to his Instagram account: \u201cTHANK YOU for a hell of a year. We family forever,\u201d he wrote, tagging the Patriots.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0But Diggs’ salary cap charge was set to rise from $10.5 million to $26.5 million, which was a significant reason for the move. He was due an additional $6 million of his contract guaranteed if he was on the roster on March 13. And he\u2019ll turn 33 this season. Obviously, the team wishes to get younger there.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots will be responsible for $9.7 million in Dead-Cap space. However, the team now has another $15.795 million in cap savings. This pushes the team\u2019s salary cap space to $57.08 million, according<\/span> to cap expert Miguel Benzan<\/span><\/a> (as of the news), putting them 7th in available cap space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, while they have plenty of cap space now, the WR position, which was a need, is a much bigger one after Diggs\u2019 release. They return veteran Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte as their top receivers, with DeMario “Pop” Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III also on the depth chart.<\/span><\/p>\n

That isn\u2019t going to be nearly enough; they really need two wide receivers. In a perfect world, that would be an established veteran either by a trade (A.J. Brown, or Brian Thomas Jr.) or via free agency (Alec Pierce), followed by one via the NFL Draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Risk Factor In Letting Diggs Go:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Depending on who you read from day to day, the Patriots are either all in on a Brown trade or getting ready to throw a boatload of cash at Pierce. This is the risky part of letting Diggs go. What happens if they don\u2019t get either one? This is a very real scenario.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots don\u2019t live in a vacuum. There are plenty of teams that want either player. Buffalo may have removed itself from the equation with the trade with Chicago for D.J. Moore for a 2nd round draft pick.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the market for both players will be high. Philadelphia has made it clear that they aren\u2019t budging, at least for now, on their trade demands for Brown. That was part of the reason that Buffalo went ahead with the Moore trade with Chicago.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kyle Williams is an \u201cX\u201d factor here. He struggled, as most rookies do in Josh McDaniels’ intricate system in 2025. But the team is very high on him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel spoke about Williams last week at the Combine. \u201cAnd so I\u2019m excited to see where guys like Kyle Williams go from year one to year two, and just his development and his growth mentally and physically,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just know I\u2019m excited about seeing where he goes from Year 1 to Year 2,\u201d Vrabel said. \u201cMade some fantastic plays. Ability to adjust down the field on the deep ball. Has got really good release skills. We saw what the crossing route was against Tampa Bay and the ability to create an X-play that was maybe a 10- or 12-yard pass.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to sit there and say \u2018these guys are going to be a No. 1 receiver or edge rusher.\u2019 We\u2019re just excited that he\u2019s with us and that he showed us what he did. His attitude was fantastic. We\u2019ll have to help him to reach his potential.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pierce is arguably the best deep ball threat in the league, and paired with Drake Maye, that $25-30 million may seem like a bargain in a few years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, he\u2019s only 25, three years younger than Brown, and they wouldn\u2019t have to part with multiple draft picks to get him. According to Philly sports talk radio host Anthony Gargano, the Patriots offered a 1st- and 3rd-round draft picks for Brown, but the Eagles rejected it, wanting a 1st and a 2nd.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The feeling here is that the team should go all-in on Pierce and be prepared to pay for his services. Pierce spoke to the media about the free agency process and had this to say: “I love Indy. I\u2019ve loved playing there…\u201cBut, yeah, at this point,\u00a0I\u2019ve kind of earned the right to explore free agency<\/a><\/span>, see what\u2019s out there. Just make a decision that\u2019s best for my career and for my family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buckle up, it is going to be an interesting few days.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Garrett<\/p>\n

(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Forged In Foxborough Episode 4: <\/b>The Patriots are releasing the next segment in their \u201cForged in Foxborough\u201d series on March 17. They have already released <\/span>a teaser trailer<\/span><\/a>, and it looks very compelling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We may all have to delay our St. Patrick\u2019s Day celebration until we get our first look at it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maxx Crosby: <\/b>Any hopes that the Patriots could entice the Raiders to trade Crosby to New England were dashed on Friday night when ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter reported that the Raiders traded Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The price was steep; Baltimore had to give up this season\u2019s 1st round pick (#14) and a 2027 1st rounder as well, which was probably more than the Patriots were willing to give.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But the move for the Ravens makes sense; they had only 30 sacks as a team last year, their lowest in 15 years. Their leading sack producer, Tavius Robinson, had just 4.5 sacks. Crosby immediately elevates the pass rush significantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bad news is that Crosby\u2019s mammoth three-year, $106.5 million extension kicks in this year, and his cap hit for 2026 is $30.69 million. Baltimore has between $9 to $12 million in cap space\u2026before the trade, so there is going to be a lot of creative extensions going on to get them in compliance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lamar Jackson is set for a $74.5M+ cap hit this year. Other key 2026 cap hits include Roquan Smith ($32.7M) and Nnamdi Madubuike ($30.9M), all of whom may get deals reworked this week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tommy \u201cCutlets\u201d DeVito: <\/b>The Patriots reached an agreement on Friday with QB Tommy DeVito on a two-year, $7.4 million deal that includes $2 million guaranteed, per his agent Sean Stellato, and ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter.<\/span><\/p>\n

While DeVito, 27, who was picked up at the end of training camp, was the 3rd quarterback on the depth chart behind Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs, who returns this season, it wouldn\u2019t be a shocker to see DeVito challenge Dobbs for the backup job this summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Head coach Mike Vrabel noted earlier that DeVito devoted extra time on Mondays working with the young WRs on the practice squad.<\/span><\/p>\n

Garrett Bradbury: <\/b>The Patriots traded center Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears for a 2027 5th-round draft pick. This opens the door for Jared Wilson to move to his natural position of center in 2026, with Ben Brown as his backup.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bradbury played all 21 games for the Patriots last season, after signing a two-year deal worth up to $12 million last offseason. He spent the first six years of his career with the Vikings. He\u2019ll now return to the NFL North and provide more of the veteran presence he did in New England.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bears will owe him $4.7 million for the final year of his contract. The Bears wasted no time in dealing for Bradbury after the surprise news of Drew Dallman\u2019s retirement. The trade opens up $5.7 million in additional cap space.<\/span><\/p>\n

It wouldn\u2019t be surprising to see the Patriots sign a veteran left guard during free agency to play between Will Campbell and Wilson in 2026. Of course, the Twitter GMs (Red Sox manager syndrome) who know more than Vrabel do want to move Campbell there\u2026 sigh.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesse Luketa: <\/b>The Patriots signed Luketa, an edge rusher and experienced special teams player, to a one-year contract on Thursday. While edge rusher is arguably the most pressing need for the team, Luketa is more of a depth signing, but carving out a role on STs will be his best way to a roster spot.<\/span><\/p>\n

He was a member of all five special teams\u2019 units during his time in Arizona. He spent last year on the Rams\u2019 practice squad. Overall, he has played in 31 career games with three starts and has accumulated 31 total tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots No Huddle Podcast:<\/b> Mike, Derek, and I conducted our post-NFL Combine podcast on our new platform right off the <\/span>PatsFans.com<\/span><\/a> website. You can always check out our podcasts on our YouTube channel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please check it out. And be sure to like, share, and leave us a review.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Russ Francis\/Chuck Fairbanks:<\/b> The former Patriot tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn\u2019t is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders\u2019 Dave Casper changed how teams used the tight end position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This will be displayed in our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis\u2019 numbers stand up well against Casper\u2019s, yet he isn\u2019t even in the team\u2019s HOF.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Sam<\/p>\n

Sam Roush, TE, Stanford – <\/b>(PHOTO: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Which Under-The-Radar Players Boosted Their Draft Stock:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The NFL Scouting Combine always has a few surprises every year, with risers and fallers, after the drills and on-field workouts. Here are a couple of guys who are probably Day 2-3 draft prospects who really helped themselves and who could be intriguing additions to a team this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, cleaning out the mess of notes scribbled during the Scouting Combine week, here are some players that caught the eye in Indianapolis. We\u2019ll be going hard on our draft prep after the initial wave of free agency calms down.<\/span><\/p>\n

Malachai Lawrence, Edge Rusher, UCF:<\/b><\/p>\n

Lawrence has the kind of size, length, and athletic profile that defensive coordinators want to work with on the edge. <\/span>NFL.com<\/span><\/a>\u2019s Lance Zierlein called him \u201can NFL-caliber edge rusher with prototypical size and length, Lawrence moves with the suddenness of a smaller player.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lawrence is 6\u20194, 253, with 34\u201d arms, with a very diverse toolbox of pass rush moves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He had the third-fastest 40-yard time among all edge rushers (4.5), the second-highest vertical jump (40 inches), and the second-best broad jump (10 feet, 10 inches), all of which earned him an athleticism score of 86 that led all edge rushers at the Combine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Daniel Jeremiah moved him from his unranked to #43 in his Top-50 prospects after the Combine. Although he\u2019s very explosive, he\u2019s still inconsistent and needs help in the running game. But as a Day 2 edge rusher as a situational pass rusher (at least initially), sign me up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Zavion Thomas, WR\/KR, LSU:<\/b><\/p>\n

Thomas is an undersized wide receiver at 5\u201910, 190, but he has a very clear path to an NFL roster because he\u2019s a dynamic kick returner with blazing speed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the Scouting Combine in Indy, he ran a blistering 4.28 in the 40. His tape shows that he never takes plays off and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. A proven kick returner with three return touchdowns, he can earn a spot right away as he develops into a better wide receiver.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

LSU used him in a variety of ways, split wide, as a \u201cZ\u201d receiver, and even at running back. The skills are there, but he\u2019ll need time. His speed and returning skills should see his name called early on Day 3.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech:<\/b><\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t think Rodriguez qualified as an under-the-radar candidate; he\u2019s one of the linebackers who seems primed to be an excellent NFL player.<\/p>\n

Rodriguez had a monster year at TT, winning the Lombardi, Nagurski, Bednarik, and Butkus Awards. He led all linebackers at the Combine in both the shuttle run (4.19s) and the three-cone drill (6.9s) and ranked sixth in the 40 (4.57s).<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2025, Rodriguez recorded 117 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and forced seven fumbles, earning the highest-ever PFF grade for a Power Four linebacker (93.0). He has elite sideline-to-sideline speed, quick change-of-direction, and a proven ability to generate turnovers (13 career forced fumbles, 6 interceptions).<\/span><\/p>\n

A former QB, he has elite ability to recognize and diagnose plays. Although slightly undersized, he\u2019s an outstanding off-the-ball linebacker. He\u2019s one of those players whose excellent game tape and on-field athleticism match perfectly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sam Roush, TE, Stanford:<\/b><\/p>\n

A big, 6\u20196. 267 in-line tight end whose an outstanding blocker. His Combine testing moved him from a decent prospect to an intriguing one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NFL Draft Buzz <\/span><\/a>wrote, \u201ca 38.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot-6 broad jump, let alone running a three-cone faster than Kyle Pitts and showing agility on a weight-adjusted basis that compares to Sam LaPorta. That 87 athleticism score, third among all tight ends, forced evaluators to look at the film with different eyes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roush played in a run-first offense in Stanford, but his catch production improved every year with 2025 being his best season yet: 49 catches, 545 yards, and 2 TDs, including a 69-yarder against Boston College. Drops are a concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

He comes from a football family. His great uncle was Merlin Olsen, his dad played at Duke, and his grandfather (Phil Olsen) played for the Rams, Bills, and Broncos. So, what say you\u2026Clare Cooper?<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas:<\/b><\/p>\n

Washington went to Indianapolis, where many mock drafts pegged him as a 4th round pick due to ball security and pass protection issues. But his athletic performance there may have changed that perception.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Washington shone at the Senior Bowl, turning heads of the coaches and evaluators there, then blew away testing in Indy, ranking first among all running backs. He ran a 4.33 in the 40, with a 39-inch vertical, and a 10\u20196 in the broad jump. He was very impressive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s a big back 6\u20191, 223 with big play ability, after transferring to Arkansas this year, he led the SEC with 16 plays of 20+ yards. If he can tighten up his ball security and pass protection issues, he could be a good NFL back with excellent athletic skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

Honorable Mention:\u00a0Trey Lance, WR, North Dakota State:\u00a0<\/strong>Back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, albeit against FBS cornerbacks, is impressive, but he blew away testing in Indy with a 99 athleticism score and a 9.98 Relative Athletic Score, ranking seventh among all receivers tested at the combine since 1987.<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s a big, 6\u20193, 204 wide receiver with legit speed (4.34) that can play keep away from defenders (41.5-inch vertical). He\u2019s just reaching his full potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

_______________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Somebody asked me what success looks like, and I said, \u2018Yeah, you can judge it by wins and losses during the season, but success for me in the offseason is going to be that the players believe in what we\u2019re doing, and they believe in the message, they believe in the teaching, and they believe in the connections that we\u2019re making<\/span><\/i>.\u2019\u201d \u2014 Mike Vrabel<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/i><\/a>Listen to our<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 <\/span>PatsFans.com<\/span><\/a> Patriots No Huddle <\/span><\/i><\/a>podcasts on Apple and YouTube as Derek Havens, Mike D\u2019Abate, and I discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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