{"id":66207,"date":"2026-03-16T04:30:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T08:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=66207"},"modified":"2026-03-16T16:18:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T20:18:29","slug":"morse-are-the-patriots-better-today-after-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/03\/16\/morse-are-the-patriots-better-today-after-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: Are the Patriots Better Today After Free Agency?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are The Patriots Better Today<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel stated that the team wanted to get better, younger, and cheaper.\u00a0 Are they better today than they were when they were embarrassed in the Super Bowl?\u00a0 I believe they are a better team with this Free Agent class.<\/p>\n

They took some swings at the fences with Alijah Vera-Tucker and Julian Hill.\u00a0 Romeo Doubs has some durability issues as well.\u00a0 I will give them a solid B for their Free Agency class because of those risks. \u00a0If they hit, the grade ends up an A.\u00a0 \u00a0Even the Contrarian from 98.5 the Sports Hub, Mike Felger, gave them solid marks.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t cheap out and spent on Free Agents.\u00a0 They also cut some veterans to make more money available.\u00a0 \u00a0Miguel Benzan reported over the weekend that the Patriots had $32M still available, but that didn\u2019t include KJ Britt\u2019s contract nor Julian Hill\u2019s $18M contract.\u00a0 Remember, they still must extend Christian Gonzalez, and his signing bonus is all that will apply to this year’s cap. I also believe they need $16M if they want to trade for AJ Brown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Departed<\/th>\nPOS<\/th>\nAdditions<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Antonio Gibson<\/td>\nRB<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stefon Diggs<\/td>\nWR<\/td>\nRomeo Doubs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alex Austin<\/td>\nCB<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yasir Durant<\/td>\nOT<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Garrett Bradbury<\/td>\nC<\/td>\nAlijah Vera-Tucker<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jahlani Tavai<\/td>\nLB<\/td>\nKJ Britt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Austin Hooper<\/td>\nTE<\/td>\nJulian Hill<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Khyiris Tonga<\/td>\nDT<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Isaiah Iton<\/td>\nDT<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jaylinn Hawkins<\/td>\nS<\/td>\nKevin Byard<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
K\u2019Lavon Chaisson<\/td>\nEDGE<\/td>\nDre\u2019Mont Jones<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Anfernee Jennings<\/td>\nEDGE<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jack Gibbens<\/td>\nLB<\/td>\nJesse Luketa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nS<\/td>\nMike Brown<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nFB<\/td>\nReggie Gilliam<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stefon Diggs vs Romeo Doubs<\/strong> \u2013 I believe they will get nearly the same amount of production from both players.\u00a0 Doubs is in his prime and considerably younger and cheaper.\u00a0 Doubs does have some durability question marks with concussion.\u00a0 Can the Patriots replace the leadership that Stefon Diggs provided last season with another player on the team, such as Mack Hollins?\u00a0 Doubs’ blocking is an underrated part of his game, too.\u00a0 In the Red Zone, that’s where Doubs does his damage.\u00a0 That was a weakness of the team in 2025.\u00a0 In his career, 20 of his 23 TDs are in the Red Zone.<\/p>\n

Alijah Vera-Tucker vs Garrett Bradbury<\/strong> \u2013 This is no contest!\u00a0 When healthy, Vera-Tucker is one of the best Guards in the league.\u00a0\u00a0 Bradbury had a good bounce-back year after giving up 10 sacks the year before in Minnesota.\u00a0 The Vikings couldn\u2019t get any team to bite on a trade for even a 7th<\/sup> round pick, and they released him.\u00a0 The Patriots traded him for a 5th-round pick in 2027.\u00a0 They also saved money on the cap.\u00a0 This trade frees up the move of Jared Wilson to Center, a more natural position for him.\u00a0 Vera-Tucker will be that veteran presence between the two-2nd year players.\u00a0 They can learn from his experience and knowledge and lean on him when movement and stunts occur on the line. \u00a0\u00a0Yes, they paid a pretty penny for him, but this could lock down what could be a very good Offensive line.<\/p>\n

Jahlani Tavai vs KJ Britt <\/strong>I think this will be a wash.\u00a0 Tavai never really fit in this Defense.\u00a0 Britt is also very good on Special Teams.\u00a0 He led Miami with 11 tackles in the kicking game as well as a team-high 76.9 % participation across all 5 ST units.\u00a0 Two years ago, he had 72 Tackles for Tampa Bay playing Right Inside Linebacker. \u00a0\u00a0His production may be more in line with what Jack Gibbens gave the team.\u00a0 Tavai turns 30 in season, and Britt will be 27.\u00a0 Britt is Younger and Faster than Tavai, not Cheaper.<\/p>\n

Austin Hooper vs Julian Hill \u2013 <\/strong>The Patriots couldn\u2019t go into the year with two 32-year-old TEs.\u00a0 The risk of injury is too great.\u00a0 <\/strong>Hooper signed a contract with Atlanta for roughly what he made last season with the Patriots $3.25M.\u00a0 It was very surprising that the Patriots signed Hill for 3-years, and $18M.\u00a0 They must really like him and see something that I haven\u2019t seen.\u00a0 Can Hill contribute 30 receptions like Hooper did last season?\u00a0 What if Henry gets hurt?\u00a0 Hill started 11 games last season for Miami.\u00a0 This is a wash with a more expensive, younger (25) backup TE that specializes in blocking.\u00a0 Blocking is a theme here if you didn\u2019t notice.\u00a0 As Mike Reiss first stated, the Patriots must see more in Hill than meets the eye.<\/p>\n

\n

\"K'Lavon<\/p>\n

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

K\u2019Lavon Chaisson vs Dre\u2019Mont Jones \u2013 <\/strong>Chaisson is a better pure speed pass rusher on the outside.\u00a0 However, he lacks the ability to set the edge against the run.\u00a0 They each had the same number of sacks, but the majority of Jones sacks came when he moved into the DT position.\u00a0 Jones was listed at 281 lbs, 20 lbs heavier than Chaisson, and that is why he is a better run defender.<\/p>\n

However, he reported at the team Press Conference that he is 265 as a stand-up Edge player.\u00a0 Quicker\/ Faster?\u00a0 The big difference comes in the form of a cap hit in 2026.\u00a0 On the surface, the AAV is the same at $12M.\u00a0 But Chaisson is betting on himself again and took a 1-year deal.\u00a0 The 3-year deal Jones signed is backloaded and is only a $4.5 M against the cap in 2026.\u00a0 Chaisson is all-in this year.\u00a0 Jones is 29, and Chaisson is 26, so they didn\u2019t get younger.\u00a0 They will have to look to the draft to get younger, and it\u2019s a very good draft for Edge players.<\/p>\n

Khyiris Tonga (FB) \/ Jack Westover (FB) vs \u00a0Reggie Gilliam (FB) – <\/strong>Gilliam is a proven Fullback and part of the reason why Buffalo had such a good run game.\u00a0 The Patriots want to be more physical on Offense and establish the run game.\u00a0 \u00a0Last season, the Patriots were 31st<\/sup> in the league in Short Yardage.\u00a0 \u00a0They were also 7th<\/sup> in short yardage stuff rate.\u00a0 A true road grader Fullback and a \u201cY\u201d blocking TE will go a long way to helping that.\u00a0 Add in AVT at guard, and I could see a big improvement in this area.<\/p>\n

Jaylinn Hawkins vs Kevin Byard –\u00a0 <\/strong>This is no contest!\u00a0 3X All-Pro that led the league with 7 INTs.\u00a0 Hawkins was still negotiating with the Patriots before the Byard signing.\u00a0 The 33-year-old Byard has not slowed down.\u00a0 He has never missed a game in his career!!!\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0This is not a case of getting younger, but Hawkins turns 29 in August.\u00a0 This is also a great year to draft a Safety.\u00a0 So Byard\u2019s replacement will have a year to learn under the savvy veteran.\u00a0 Hawkins signed with Baltimore for just a 2- year $10M contract.\u00a0 He had no market.<\/p>\n

What the Patriots Still Need<\/strong><\/h3>\n

These are the positions they will prioritize in the Draft.<\/p>\n

EDGE (2) \u2013 They need a speed rusher and a developmental rusher<\/p>\n

Linebacker \u2013 Spillane is over 30 and they need more help there with Gibbens and Tavai gone.<\/p>\n

Tight End \u2013 Henry will be 32 and Hill is mostly a blocking TE.<\/p>\n

Safety \u2013 Byard will be 33 and I expect another good season from him but given the depth in this draft finding a replacement for him after next season is a priority.<\/p>\n

Cornerback \u2013 Carlton Davis played the whole season and that\u2019s the 1st<\/sup> time in his career he played a full season.\u00a0 Expecting that again is wishful thinking.<\/p>\n

RT and LT (2) \u2013 Morgan Moses is 34 and finding his replacement is a top priority.\u00a0 Giving that rookie a year behind Moses while learning the NFL from him is a huge bonus.\u00a0 Getting a Left Tackle as a backup to Campbell is also huge.<\/p>\n

Guard \u2013 Currently Ben Brown is the backup.\u00a0 Finding another Guard for depth late in the draft is also a need.<\/p>\n

Runningback \u2013 they currently have Terrell Jennings, Elijah Mitchell and Lan Larison as the 3rd<\/sup> RB.<\/p>\n

Wide Receiver \u2013 this is a low priority but if a player pops out at them in their draft position on day 3 I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if they took a shot at one.<\/p>\n

Defensive Tackle \u2013 They need a big body D lineman for Goal Line defense but if they don\u2019t get one they should be good shape with what they have on the team now.<\/p>\n

Patriots Didn\u2019t Sign Their Own Unrestricted Free Agents\u00a0 – <\/strong>K\u2019Lavon Chaisson and Khyiris Tonga signed one-year \u201cshow me\u201d contracts in 2025, betting on themselves and winning.\u00a0 Tonga was nearly signed late in the season when someone (either his agent or another team) convinced him he was worth more and squashed the deal.\u00a0 Chaisson had a very high opinion of himself and priced himself out of the Patriots market.\u00a0 He ended up signing another one-year contract for $12M, with nearly all of it guaranteed. This was a sizable increase over the $7M contract he signed with the Patriots in 2025.<\/p>\n

Jaylinn Hawkins, on the other hand, had no market.\u00a0 It was the wrong year to be a Safety in Free Agency.\u00a0 There were so many other better Safeties in Free Agency, combined with a plethora of good safety in the draft. His value was low, as evidenced by the 2-year $10M contract he signed.\u00a0 The Patriots were negotiating with Hawkins right up until they signed Kevin Byard.\u00a0 I believe Byard was their plan all along, considering he had played for Vrabel before.<\/p>\n

Vederian Lowe signed elsewhere, as did Austin Hooper.\u00a0 Thayer Munford is the only Unrestricted Free Agent who hasn\u2019t signed.\u00a0 \u00a0He was on practice squads last year, plucked by Cleveland for 3 games, and put on their Practice Squad.\u00a0 The Patriots, in turn, snatched him from the Browns.\u00a0 He was active in the last 9 games, including the Super Bowl, because he was a true swing tackle that could play both Left and Right Tackle.\u00a0 Mike Reiss reported, \u201cMunford’s return is also still possible, but that wouldn’t come until a bit down the road as a source said he’s recovering from surgery after playing through a knee injury.\u201d<\/p>\n

Restricted Free Agents not offered a tender became immediate Unrestricted Free Agents.\u00a0 They were Alex Austin (MIA), Yasir Durant, Deneric Prince, Jack Gibbens, and Jaquelin Roy.\u00a0 The Patriots did sign Restricted Free Agent Tommy DeVito (a good signing).\u00a0 \u00a0Myles Battle was either not offered or refused a futures contract with the Patriots and became a Free Agent after the Super Bowl, where he signed with Miami.<\/p>\n

Bottom line is the Patriots’ depth wasn\u2019t good enough, and when injuries came calling, they collapsed.\u00a0 They were just not good enough when playing against better opponents.\u00a0 Yes, they made quite the run in the playoffs, but that was just good fortune.\u00a0 The Offense bogged down when playing against top Defenses.\u00a0 They did enough to win the playoffs and get to the Super Bowl, but were blown out on the biggest stage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Assessing the Patriots’ 2025 free agency class, this analysis compares new additions to departures, grading the team’s moves & identifying remaining needs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":65630,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[24419,2222,24370,24007,24406,802,23714,22806,23806,24436,23698,1679,24434,305,664,1967,23931,8,24414,22959,24205,1865,1909,24206,24043],"class_list":["post-66207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news","tag-alijah-vera-tucker","tag-austin-hooper","tag-cap-space","tag-defensive-line","tag-dremont-jones","tag-free-agency","tag-garrett-bradbury","tag-jahlani-tavai","tag-jaylinn-hawkins","tag-julian-hill","tag-klavon-chaisson","tag-kevin-byard","tag-kj-britt","tag-linebacker","tag-mike-vrabel","tag-nfl-draft","tag-offensive-line","tag-patriots","tag-reggie-gilliam","tag-romeo-doubs","tag-safety","tag-stefon-diggs","tag-super-bowl","tag-tight-end","tag-wide-receiver"],"yoast_head":"\nMORSE: 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My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob \u201cHarpo\u201d Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. 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