As free agency creeps up, one negative event has already occurred. Tee Higgins, the best wide receiver in free agency, is expected to be franchise tagged by Cincinnati. He’s not going anywhere unless a team is willing to hand over two first-round picks. Thanks, but no thanks. He was never a realistic option for the Patriots anyway.

The Patriots will have to look elsewhere for a No. 1 wide receiver. Reject any thought of handing over that fourth pick in the draft. The Patriots have to be astute. That pick represents as close to a sure thing as there is in an NFL draft. Four terrific non-quarterbacks are available, and the Patriots are assured of getting one of them. They should take him and move on.

The team has other options to acquire additional top players if needed. They have lots of cap space to spend, and free agency is the place to spend it wisely. Just pay (or overpay) for top performers, not just decent ones. Get a few of the best you can at left tackle, wide receiver, edge, or defensive tackle. It’s not about numbers, it’s all about quality in positions of need.

A Patriots’ option is to trade their good players for better ones

It’s been outlined how several veteran players who are solid NFL players may be candidates to be traded. Coupled with a draft pick or two, they may bring a top player at one of those critical positions of need mentioned. Make them available.

Rhamondre Stevenson is a good back and a prime trade candidate, as is safety Kyle Dugger. Trading those two for an edge or a left tackle is the type of business that Mike Vrabel and his personnel team should explore. Additionally, on offense, if you can package guard Mike Onwenu, a major disappointment in 2024, and receiver Kendrick Bourne for a better player at a position of need, do so.

Also, on defense, explore trading Davon Godchaux for an upgrade at wide receiver or edge or even a draft pick to a team that can utilize a space-eating defensive tackle. These players are becoming dinosaurs in the NFL. If a team is willing to eat his salary, by all means, make the deal.

If he’s ready, Christian Barmore and Keion White are your starting defensive tackles. Draft or sign another one or two. Godchaux will be leaving after this season. Try to move to get value back now by packaging him, and maybe another player for an upgrade at a position of need or draft picks you can wheel later.

The Patriots’ draft strategy should center on this

Trading current players for value has been discussed. Now, let’s suggest a possible draft strategy for Mike Vrabel. This draft should be geared solely toward bringing in starting players. If you can trade up to get a potential Pro Bowl player or two, send out multiple picks from 2025 or 2026 to do so. NFL teams win with top players, not average ones. The Patriots have far too few.

The strategy suggested here is to take one of the top four can’t miss non-QBs at pick No. four overall. (Note: Run if wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is available. Don’t walk to the podium. Unfortunately, he likely won’t be, and neither will edge, Abdul Carter.) If not, then take LSU left tackle Will Campbell, or Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. You still win.

Taking a potential All-Pro with pick No. 4 is a no-brainer. Jettison any idea of trading down for quantity. Quality players win Super Bowls. Signing and drafting as many top players as you can is Job One. Forget trading down.

Next, trade back up into the first round to get another consensus starter with Pro Bowl or better potential. Try to package a pick(s) and maybe a current player(s) mentioned previously, to draft another top player at a position of need in the first round.

If it costs the Pats a second, a third (they have two), and a fourth, or a pick or picks in 2026, so be it. The objective is to sign and draft the best, and then scout the rest.

These are suggested strategies for Mike Vrabel and his personnel guy, Ryan Cowden. Focus solely on quality. Expend your cap money and draft capital on the best players you can get. Add five or six top performers to Drake Maye, Hunter Henry, Christian Barmore, Keion White, and Christian Gonzalez, and you’re on your way to the 2025 NFL playoffs. You win with quality. Go get it.