Identifying Patriots' priorities as free agency looms

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots are expected to "swing big" for Ridley, assuming the 29-year-old does not re-sign with the Jaguars before free agency opens.

If targeting Ridley falls through, the next name on the Patriots' list should be Marquise Brown, who has played each of the past two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.

His 2023 numbers were nothing special (574 yards, four touchdowns), but Brown's 2021 season as a member of the Baltimore Ravens (1,008 yards, six touchdowns) makes him an enticing prospect. If the Patriots' new offensive coaches could find Brown's 2021 form, the offense would be transformed.

Leaving little up to the NFL Draft: The Patriots' most important holes are at QB, offensive tackle and wide receiver. 

New England must figure out at least two of those three positions during free agency, leaving little to chance in the draft. New England can't enter the draft needing to fill two starting positions with only one first-round pick.

The best-case scenario for the Patriots would be to re-sign T Mike Onwenu and another decent tackle, bring on someone like Ridley and draft a high-ceiling quarterback with the fourth overall pick. 

Maintaining strong defense: The Patriots have a talented defense, but improvements must be made. With approximately $75 million in cap space, the third-highest figure in the NFL, New England has money to spend.

The Patriots gave standout safety Kyle Dugger the transition tag on Tuesday, meaning the team will have the right to match any other outfit's offer that exceeds the starting bid of $13.815 million. Unless another team make an exorbitant offer, New England will match offers for Dugger and retain him.

DE Matthew Judon makes the Patriots pass-rush a solid group, but New England needs to add other talented pieces to the rush given that is Judon coming off of a season-ending bicep tear in 2023. 

Defensive tackle Chris Jones would have been a stellar option, but Kansas City agreed to a massive five-year deal to re-sign Jones on Saturday. That leaves Jets free-agent DE Bryce Huff, Seahawks DT Leonard Williams, Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins and Vikings DE Danielle Hunter as the other high-priced candidates up front. 

ESPN's Matt Bowen believes Wilkins and the Patriots are a good fit.

"I expect the Patriots to be active in free agency, and Wilkins has the position versatility to align all over the defensive front. In 2023, Wilkins had 9 sacks, 35 pressures and 68 tackles in Miami," Bowen wrote. "He would pair nicely with Christian Barmore to give first-year head coach Jerod Mayo two difference-makers on the defensive interior."

Maintaining team cohesiveness: With coaching changes and the retirement of 13-year team captain Matthew Slater, the Patriots have had enough damage to team continuity since the regular season ended. 

To limit further harm to the locker room, the Patriots must keep key players who have expiring contracts. The team took a step in the right direction on Friday by agreeing with tight end Hunter Henry – a team captain – on a three-year deal, but key players like Onwneu, WR Kendrick Bourne and DE Josh Uche still need to be taken care of.

According to several reports, things are trending in the right direction with all three of those players.

Per MassLive's Mark Daniels, the Patriots and Uche have "mutual" interest, making the chances of the 25-year-old returning high. 

"I do [want to play for the Patriots], and I've expressed that," Uche said on NBC Sports Boston's "Patriots Talk Podcast". "And my family's up here. I've got most of my family here. I've become comfortable with the guys and the coaches."

Daniels noted in a separate article that Onwenu was interested in returning to New England, despite heavy interest from other teams.

“Yeah, I would like to be back,” Onwenu said. “I’ve been here and I’ve enjoyed my four years so far. I can only see better things ahead."

And in an interview with NFL Network's Patrick Claybon, Bourne – who is mulling a contract offer from the Patriots, according to the Boston Herald – also expressed his desire of returning to New England.

"I do. I do," Bourne responded when asked if he would stay a Patriot. "It's something that has helped me in my career... it's some place that they hold a special place in my heart, so I would love to go back."