The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is more than evaluating draft prospects. It is a large, weeklong meeting of NFL media, coaches, scouts, and front office staff where rumors and rumblings are discovered.
As the first workouts are set, reports are coming out of plans involving the New England Patriots and their plan to build their roster.
The Patriots are not pursuing Tee Higgins, but rather looking to bulk up on O-line and D-line in free agency.
The Athletic’s Chad Graff reports that the Patriots are planning on not making a move for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is currently a free agent. The other side of the report is that they will focus on building their offensive and defensive line.
It is no secret that the Patriots need to find a legitimate number one receiver, but they need help all over the field.
Higgins is now an unrestricted free agent after playing on the franchise tag of $21.8 million this past season. He was 89 yards short of his third 1,000-yard season in his five years in the league. Higgins still caught 73 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns (the most in his career). He is going to have a huge contract no matter where he goes.
The problem with the Patriots last season was their inability to block for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, their lack of stabilizing the offense, and their inability to put pressure on the opposing offenses.
New England’s offense was ranked last in the league in passing yards per game (176.2) and 30th in points per game (17), and a lot of it was because of the inconsistencies of the offensive line. The Patriots need reliable tackles and interior offensive linemen going into the 2025 season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots’ injuries to starters like defensive tackle Christian Barmore showed not only was depth a concern, but so was talent. The Patriots were last in the league in sacks accounted for (28), 29th in pressure percentage (17.6%), and tied for 25th in missed tackles.
With a new coaching staff, the team needs more stability in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
