To that point, while there will be plenty of talk about high-end free agents such as wide receiver Tee Higgins, the Patriots also need to consider culture fits, well-respected players who can impact the locker room in ways that transcend the field. The sorts of players who can help shape the culture and bring out the best in their teammates.

In the past, the Patriots have done well to identify slightly under-the-radar veteran free agents who could help boost team chemistry. Chris Long, Brian Waters, Alge Crumpler, and others were essential in helping shape a championship culture in New England.

And while the Patriots need to be mindful of the shifting nature of the market, here are 10 potential offseason targets — all of whom are set to become unrestricted free agents — to consider. None are necessarily at the top of their class statistically, but they could play a sizable role in reshaping the locker room.

Bobby Wagner: One of the most well-respected players in the NFL, the six-time All-Pro is still playing at a high level in his first season in Washington. He played in all 17 regular-season games and had 132 tackles. The linebacker, who will be 35 in June, fits the mold as a high-character individual who can help build a culture. The 6-foot, 242-pounder is obviously not the only reason the Commanders are in the divisional round of the playoffs one year after going 4-13, but it’s also not a coincidence.

Calais Campbell: Another highly regarded veteran, the defensive tackle was routinely wreaking havoc in 2024 with the Dolphins at age 38. The 6-8, 307-pounder, who played 58 percent of the defensive snaps this past season, isn’t an every-down player anymore, but he remains a peerless leader. If the Patriots could find a way to land Campbell, they’d add a sturdy veteran and weaken a division rival.

Stephon Gilmore: The former Defensive Player of the Year, who turns 35 in September, is not the lockdown cornerback he was five years ago, but the 6-foot, 190-pound Gilmore would fit nicely in a return to Foxborough as a leader and mentor to a group of young corners. His steadiness and dependability could serve as a great model for Christian Gonzalez and others during a transition period for the franchise.

J.K. Dobbins: After being dogged by injuries for much of his first three years, the 26-year-old broke out this past season with the Chargers with a career-high 905 rushing yards and a 4.6 yards per carry. The 5-10, 215-pounder, who is part of the Comeback Player of the Year conversation, showed the sort of resilience that earned tremendous respect throughout the league.

Daniel Brunskill: The 30-year-old, who played for Vrabel in Tennessee in 2023, has flashed nice versatility, having lined up at center, guard, and tackle for the Titans and 49ers. A 6-5, 300-pounder, his toughness (he’s never played fewer than 14 games in a season) and versatility could appeal to a team looking to overhaul the offensive line.

Amari Cooper: The receiver is another well-regarded veteran who has shown an ability to adapt to multiple roles. Cooper, 30, is a 6-1, 211-pounder who has played for four teams since entering the league in 2015, and has caught passes from more than a dozen quarterbacks. While his totals took a dip with the Bills this season, his stat line (44 catches, 547 yards, 4 touchdowns) would still put him among the team leaders in New England.

Keenan Allen: Allen, who will turn 33 this offseason, had 70 catches for 744 yards and seven touchdowns this past season for the Bears. Heralded as a smart and savvy veteran, the 6-2, 211-pounder has said he’d limit himself to the Bears, Rams, or Chargers in free agency (which means you might have to overpay to lure him to New England), but did add he’d be interested in playing for someone with prior head coaching experience.

Zack Martin: The 34-year-old Martin, a foundational part of the Cowboys’ offensive line for the last decade, could opt for retirement after season-ending surgery on his right ankle. But if the right guard is interested in sticking around for another year or two, it would be worth a call to gauge his availability. A seven-time first-team All-Pro who remains one of the more well-regarded individuals in the league, the 6-4, 315-pound Martin could serve as a placeholder and mentor.

Dillon Radunz: Radunz was drafted by Vrabel and the Titans in the second round in 2021. The 6-6, 310-pounder is another versatile sort, having played guard and tackle. He turns 27 in March.

Kristian Fulton: The familiarity with Fulton could appeal to Vrabel, as he worked with the cornerback in Tennessee. The 5-11, 197-pounder, who was chosen by the Titans in the second round in 2020, had some ups and downs with the head coach (he was benched in 2023). Ultimately, while you wouldn’t necessarily call Fulton a stabilizing, veteran presence, the 26-year-old would bring the benefit of having played for Vrabel, something that could give him a leg up in the acclimation process.