The Patriots’ roster will look a lot different by the time the season starts in September.
Entering the offseason with nearly $130 million in cap space and needs all over their roster, the Patriots are expected to be busy in free agency this offseason. The Boston Herald will preview free agency going position by position to highlight potential additions.
The Patriots have a new head coach in Mike Vrabel and have returned to a coach-centric power structure with Vrabel only behind Robert and Jonathan Kraft in terms of power within the organization. Vrabel was heavily involved in free agency and pre-draft meetings at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he’s made it clear to the front office what types of players he’s prioritizing this offseason.
Eliot Wolf remains in his perch as executive vice president of player personnel, and the team hired Ryan Cowden — a long-time Vrabel confidant — as VP of player personnel. Some within the organization actually view vice president of operations and strategy John Streicher as Vrabel’s true No. 2.
We’ll continue by highlighting the edge defenders the Patriots can add this offseason.
CHASE YOUNG
A 25-year-old former second overall pick, Young still shows flashes of the elite pass-rusher he was projected to be.
Last year, he finished in the top 20 for pressure rate and total pressures, per Pro Football Focus, numbers overshadowed by his 5.5 sack total. Young also fits the physical prototype for edge defenders in Mike Vrabel’s defense at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. He’s young, athletic and capable of dropping into coverage, which he did more of last year in New Orleans.
CHAUNCEY GOLSTON
Golston is a late bloomer who started 13 games last season in Dallas, posting a career-high 5.5 sacks, eight QB hits and 56 tackles. He also broke up five passes and grabbed an interception, demonstrating the type of versatility the team should covet in its new outside linebackers and defensive ends. Golston carries a similar frame to Young at 6-foot-5 and 268 pounds and can move around the defensive front to create more confusion for opposing offenses.
MATTHEW JUDON
Remember him?
After a summer trade to Atlanta, Judon flamed out with the Falcons last season. He posted some of the worst numbers of his career, both by traditional box-score statistics and deeper analytics. Judon, 32, has only a couple of good years left — if any — but could enjoy a type of rejuvenation with the team that helped him set career highs in sacks in 2021 and 2022.
Who says no to a 1-year flier with an old friend?
DEREK BARNETT
An eight-year veteran, Barnett has made a living playing in four-down defenses like the system the Patriots are pivoting to this year. He served as a backup last season in Houston, posting five sacks for 26 tackles, two forced fumbles and a couple of fumble recoveries. Perhaps the best part about Barnett is his ability to hold up in run defense, a skill set the Patriots sorely need after last year.
He also comes from winning organizations, having won a Super Bowl in Philadelphia as a rookie in 2017 before helping lead the Texans to the playoffs each of the past two years.
MALCOLM KOONCE
Before a season-ending knee injury struck last September, Koonce was tracking to become one of the highest-paid pass rushers in free agency. He graded out as one of the best edge defenders in the league in 2023, according to PFF. That year, Koonce recorded eight sacks, 17 QB hits and three forced fumbles.
Only 26, Koonce represents a relative buy-low opportunity for a franchise that will need to hit on free agents outside of the big names. Assuming he’s fully healthy, Koonce could become one of the bigger steals of the offseason.
