Mike Vrabel’s connections helped him build his coaching staff, and perhaps they’ll aid in roster-building this offseason.
The Patriots head coach is expected to have final say on New England’s roster with personnel executives Eliot Wolf and Ryan Cowden identifying players who fit Vrabel’s desires. During his first press conference, Vrabel made a few of those desires clear. He clearly plans to improve the trenches and target players who fit the culture he’s hoping to establish.
With that in mind, here are five free agents who previously crossed paths with Vrabel and could make sense for the Patriots:
Dillon Radunz, OL
Radunz was selected by the Vrabel’s Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6, 301-pound offensive lineman showcased impressive versatility over his first four NFL seasons. He played every offensive line position besides center in 2023. His 504 snaps at right tackle were his most of any position, according to Pro Football Focus. Radunz then transitioned to right guard where he played 903 snaps in 2024. He allowed five sacks in 455 pass-block snaps. Radunz is entering his age-27 season.
Jedrick Wills Jr., OT
The 2020 first-round pick underwhelmed over his five seasons with the Browns, which included the 2024 campaign with Vrabel in Cleveland. Injuries played a key factor including a season-ending knee injury in 2023. Wills played a combined 58 games in five seasons with 12 starts in the last two campaigns. Could Vrabel and the Patriots make a run at the 25-year-old hoping he’ll stay healthy? This isn’t to say New England should bank on Wills as its surefire starter at left tackle, but more so a value signing who could compete for a starting job. Spotrac projects the Alabama product’s market value to be a one-year, $2 million deal. Wills, however, was demoted by the Browns in 2024 after he made a “business decision” and sat out due to lingering injury effects, so it’s fair to wonder if that could be a turn-off for Vrabel.
Daniel Brunskill, OL
Vrabel and the Titans signed the veteran offensive lineman before the 2023 campaign, which was Vrabel’s last season in Tennessee. Brunskill played 768 snaps at right guard that season. Brunskill has experience at every position on the offensive line, though his one snap at left tackle in 2024 marked the first time he played the position since 2019, per PFF. He played 463 snaps at center (eight starts) and 176 at right guard (two starts) in 2024. The 31-year-old should not be viewed as a surefire starter, but his experience on the interior would be a plus.
Kristian Fulton, CB
The 26-year-old Fulton was drafted by the Titans in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s a free agent after he played out a one-year deal with the Chargers, starting 14 of 15 games in 2024. The Patriots should add to their cornerback depth chart this offseason. Fulton wouldn’t be the same high-profile signing as top free agents like D.J. Reed or Charvarius Ward, both of whom have been linked to the Patriots, but Fulton also wouldn’t come with the same cost. Spotrac projects Fulton’s market value to be a two-year, $6.9 million deal. Perhaps that’s what Vrabel and company prefer with Christian Gonzalez already covering opponents’ top wideouts and bigger needs elsewhere. It’s fair to note, however, that Fulton was benched by Vrabel at one point in 2023.
Austin Hooper, TE
Is this a cheat answer? Maybe. But the point stands: The Patriots should strongly consider retaining Hooper, who played under Vrabel in 2022 in Tennessee. Hooper was a valuable pass-catcher for Drake Maye in 2024 with more than half of his catches (25 of 45) going for first downs. His number of receptions was his most since 2020 while his 476 receiving yards were his most since a Pro Bowl season in 2019. Hooper had similar production during his one year with Vrabel.
