Update on Eliot Wolf’s First Free Agency Class in New England

Eliot Wolf took over having the final say in the New England Patriots front office in 2024. It followed the tenure of Bill Belichick, which lasted nearly a quarter century. He presided over the 2024 NFL Draft, which saw the Patriots make nine selections, including quarterback Drake Maye third overall.

The Patriots possessed plenty of cap space heading into free agency. They signed several free agents, or pending free agents from their 2023 squad, to return to New England. This group included Mike Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, Hunter Henry, Kendrick Bourne, Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche, and Jalen Reagor. New England extended several key veterans too. But there was not the splash of bringing in outside talent that some anticipated.

Jerod Mayo, who replaced Belichick as head coach, raised expectations of the team spending big in the offseason. In Mayo’s first radio interview after his promotion, he was asked about the team’s willingness to spend in the offseason.

“We bringing in talent 1,000% Have a lot of cap space and cash. Ready to burn some cash!”

Also Read – Kelley: Updated New England Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection

Mayo’s comments about being “ready to burn some cash” were made on January 22. According to New England Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan, the team still has $50,220,103 in salary cap space on August 25. The team was linked to San Franciso 49ers’ wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in trade rumors, but no deal was made. They reportedly made a push for free agent wide receiver Calvin Ridley, but Ridley ultimately signed with the Tennessee Titans.

Eliot Wolf has yet to trade for an NFL player. He did sign 19 outside veteran free agents. A review of that free agency class with the cutdown to a 53-man roster on the horizon.

OT Chukwuma Okorafor

Okorafor signed with New England before NFL free agency officially began. This was possible because he was a veteran who was released by his previous employer, the Pittsburgh Steelers. New England had a hole at left tackle but did not address it in the draft or through free agency outside of Okorafor. As a result, he entered training camp as the projected starting left tackle despite playing right tackle his entire NFL career. He was quickly moved back to the right side after the start of camp, with Vederian Lowe taking over as the starting left tackle. With Lowe injured this past week, Okorafor shifted back to left tackle. It appears he will start for the Patriots, though where remains a mystery.

RB Antonio Gibson

Gibson came to New England from Washington. He is slated to back up Rhamondre Stevenson, as well as serve as a receiving option out of the backfield and a potential kick returner option. Gibson replaces Ezekiel Elliott, who returned to Dallas after spending 2023 with the Patriots. His role appears to be one of the most clearly defined on the roster.

TE Austin Hooper

The two-time Pro Bowl selection has seen his production take a dip in recent years. After retaining Hunter Henry as their starting tight end, the Patriots signed Hooper to be his backup. With Hunter’s health status a mystery after a leg injury in camp, Hooper could find himself in a bigger than anticipated role right away. Wolf signed him to essentially replace Mike Gesicki but he could be asked to replace Henry, at least to start the season.

LB Sione Takitaki

The New England Patriots lost Mack Wilson Sr. to Arizona in free agency. Takitaki looked to replace what Wilson brought to the table. He is a solid reserve linebacker and core special teams player. However, Takitaki has spent training camp on the PUP list and is likely to start the season there as well, which would keep him out for at least the first four games of the season.

QB Jacoby Brissett

Brissett returned to New England, where he began and won a Super Bowl as a rookie in 2016. Now, he is expected to serve as a mentor to Patriots rookies Drake Maye and Joe Milton III. Brissett has been the Patriots QB1 throughout the offseason. However, Maye has played well of late. Mayo states the competition to be the team’s starting quarterback remains open as the Patriots prepare to play on Sunday night. But regardless of their respective performances against the Commanders, Brissett remains the favorite to be the Patriots Week 1 starter.

OL Nick Leverett

Leverett came from Tampa Bay, where he was a starter at left guard in 2022. New England has used Leverett as the primary backup to David Andrews at center in preseason. The transition has not always looked smooth. He has seen time at guard in practice but has exclusively been used at center in the two preseason games. Leverett seems to have the inside track on a roster spot as a reserve interior lineman, capable of playing guard and center. But his performance will continued to be analyzed in the final preseason game against the Washington Commanders.

DL Armon Watts

When Watts signed with the New England Patriots, expectations here were high. Pro Football Focus named Watts as the free agent the Pittsburgh Steelers could least afford to lose. However, Watts’ performance in camp has been underwhelming. The team has five defensive linemen locked into roster spots, not including Christian Barmore, and Watts is not one of them. He faces an uphill climb to start the season on the Patriots active roster at this point. He missed the final two days of practice this week for unknown reasons.

WR K.J. Osborn

Wide receivers coach Tyler Hughes praised Osborn’s leadership and versatility while speaking to the media this week. He has practiced with the first unit, alongside DeMario Douglas and Tyquan Thornton of late. He likely starts the season there, as Kendrick Bourne continues to recover from his ACL injury. Osborn will have to produce to hold off the likes of Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Kayshon Boutte, and Jalen Reagor for playing time.

S Jaylinn Hawkins

Safety has proven to be one of the strongest units for the Patriots. Starters Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers return, each with a new deal that keeps them in New England through 2027. Hawkins, A.J. Thomas, Joshuah Bledsoe, and Dell Pettus all looked solid in camp. Marte Mapu’s absence (undisclosed injury) could allow New England to keep one of the reserves on the roster for a bit longer. Hawkins looks to be the third safety at the moment, but his spot is far from etched in stone.

TE Mitchell Wilcox

New England signed Wilcox just before the draft. It prevented the Patriots from needing to select a tight end early, as Wilcox has NFL experience. However, the Patriots did take Jaheim Bell in Round 7. Wilcox has not looked impressive in preseason/camp, but neither have the players he’s battling for a roster spot. If Henry begins the season on the 53-man roster, it is hard to imagine Wilcox making the team unless they keep four tight ends out of the gate.

ED Oshane Ximines

After not addressing the edge position in the NFL Draft, the Patriots added Ximines afterward. He became one of the most pleasant surprises of camp. The injury he suffered against the Eagles in the second exhibition game should not keep him out, as he returned as a limited participant in practice by week’s end. Ximines will be part of a group, along with Jennings and Uche, expected to pick up some of the departed Matthew Judon’s production.

K Joey Slye

Wolf signed the veteran to battle Chad Ryland for the New England Patriots placekicker job. Ryland appeared to have the advantage at the start of camp, in addition to being the incumbent and a fourth-round pick in 2023. But Slye has come on strong of late and makes the team on the latest 53-man roster projection on Patriots Football Now. The Patriots will look to try and trade whichever kicker does not get the nod.

OL Liam Fornadel

Fornadel came to New England as a guard, with some experience playing tackle in college. The Patriots have moved him to center to see if he can play there. His errant shotgun snap to Bailey Zappe resulted in a turnover and ended the second preseason game against Philadelphia. He remains in contention to stick with the team as a reserve interior offensive lineman, but trying to earn a spot on the practice squad appears far more likely.

DL Josiah Bronson

New England signed Bronson after news broke that Christian Barmore had been diagnosed with blood clots. New England used Bronson at defensive end a bit in preseason as well. He has looked decent in camp but faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster.

DT Mike Purcell

Purcell, like Bronson, joined the Patriots following Barmore’s diagnosis. The team was clearly looking for help on the defensive front after losing arguably their best player for an undisclosed length of time. Purcell recorded two tackles against the Eagles but got cut last week.

OT Kellen Diesch

Diesch signed with New England on August 2 and has appeared in both preseason games. Diesch remains a longshot to make the Patriots 53-man roster, but he has two things working in his favor. He looked solid against the Eagles in Week 2 of preseason, and there are major question marks remaining at the position. Both Vederian Lowe and Calvin Anderson might be out for the preseason finale. A solid estimation for the return of either player is not known. This could give Diesch a chance to impress on Sunday night. Whether that translates into staying beyond Tuesday remains to be seen.

S A.J. Thomas

Thomas looks impressive in camp. He is a member of the non-starters at safety (along with Jaylinn Hawkins, Joshuah Bledsoe, and Dell Pettus) who would be tough cuts for the Patriots. He’s received a lot of playing time in preseason, which should continue on Sunday night. It’s possible Eliot Wolf can recoup a draft pick for one of the safeties instead of watching NFL-caliber players walk for no return.

LS Tucker Addington

The long-snapper has reduced Joe Cardona’s workload in the preseason. It seems unlikely the Patriots would look to move on from Cardona, their longest-tenured player. However, Addington has been very solid. It is unlikely he remains more than an insurance policy, however.

ED Kobe Jones

Jones was released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League earlier this month. He played defensive end at Mississippi State and bounced around the practice squads of four different NFL franchises since. His most productive preseason came as a member of the Green Bay Packers when his defensive line coach was Jerry Montgomery, who holds the same position in New England now. Jones just signed last week and would be classified as a longshot to make the team. But he could earn a practice squad spot with a strong showing.

Note: The 19 players listed above as the first free agency class of Eliot Wolf did not include returning players, undrafted rookie free agents, or players the New England Patriots claimed off waivers.