Six Available Players Who Fit Patriots’ Free Agency Requirements

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel made something abundantly clear when speaking with reporters at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.

New England values relationships, and intends to leverage them when building a new-and-improved roster.

“I don’t know how you could do free agency any differently,” Vrabel said. “I really don’t… We have to evaluate the tape, then it’s about the person… I’ve seen from these players that they aren’t going to go anywhere, and the other ones we bring in and the others that are in the locker room right now, they’re resilient and they’re not going to back down. It really helps when you know somebody, or you’ve coached them, or a trusted personnel member has been with that player. It’s important.”

Vrabel wasn’t lying, either.

Morgan Moses, Carlton Davis, Robert Spillane, Harold Landry, Josh Dobbs, Mack Hollins and K’Lavon Chaisson all have prior experience with members of the coaching staff. Milton Williams is the lone outside signing who doesn’t, though the need for familiarity dissipates when you look at his production. The Patriots know what they’re getting with their recent additions, and with needs remaining, you’d have to imagine they’ll continue targeting players with the same level of experience with their staff.

We have a few names in mind.

WR Amari Cooper

Cooper has bounced pretty regularly for someone with his pedigree, sprinkling in a few down seasons between several highly-productive campaigns. The Buffalo Bills were hoping he’d be able to turn things around when trading for him last season, but injuries were clearly a factor as he never got going.

Does he have anything left?

The Patriots just might be desperate enough to find out. Ben McAdoo previously coached the veteran during his season as a consultant with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, so perhaps he could put in a good word if they’re still looking for a wideout after the draft?

OL Cam Robinson

Robinson is the name that consistently gets brought up when discussing options at left tackle, and there’s good reason for it.

The Patriots are desperate, which is why people are latching onto the idea, but consistency issues and reported problems with motivation might be the reason we haven’t heard of any direct ties between the two sides. Doug Marrone drafted him during his tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars, so if anyone would know whether or not the 29-year-old is a fit, it would be him.

OL Teven Jenkins

Thomas Brown and Jason Houghtaling both worked on the offensive staff for the Chicago Bears in 2024, where Jenkins turned a corner and proved to be a reliable starting interior offensive lineman. The Patriots could solidify one of their many positions of need by signing the guy, so keep an eye on this one.

S Julian Blackmon

New England doesn’t necessarily need a safety, but you can’t deny how nice it would be to have a true centerfield option in the secondary. Justin Hamilton was an assistant with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, and could reunite with the veteran if other needs are soon met.

OL Tyron Smith

Todd Downing coached Morgan Moses with the New York Jets in 2024, so why not just bring in the other bookend?

Smith has never been bad, there are just legitimate questions about whether or not he could stay healthy for an entire season. The Patriots would almost certainly be better for having those six-to-nine games he’s good for each season, though.

OL Jedrick Wills

Wills sneaks his way onto this list, having spent just a short amount of time with Vrabel during his consulting stint with the Cleveland Browns. New England would be settling by bringing in the failed former first-round pick, but options are dwindling.

NESN’s George Balekji welcomed me onto the latest episode of “Foxboro Rush” to discuss some of these names, as well as a few others. You can check out the episode on Spotify and YouTube.