The New England Patriots are going to look vastly different in 2024 than they have for a long time. With head coach Bill Belichick being relieved of his duties, the team not only has a new leader on the sidelines but the philosophy on how to build the roster will change as well.
Belichick was the team’s de facto general manager, which played a part in his exit more so than his coaching. It will be interesting to see how the roster is built under new head coach Jerod Mayo as the structure within the organization changes.
This is a big offseason for the Patriots as they are in a position to address their biggest need in the 2024 NFL Draft. The team needs to find a long-term answer at quarterback and sitting at No. 3, they will have a chance to select one of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels.
NFL News & Rumors: Christian Wilkins, 2024 NFL Free Agency, New England Patriots Updates
Quarterback is far from the only need in New England, but certainly is the biggest one. Another position that could use some help is the defensive line, more specifically, defensive tackle. With the second most projected cap space in the NFL, the Patriots can be aggressive in pursuing upgrades this offseason.
One player they could look to land is Christian Wilkins of the Miami Dolphins. Matt Bowen of ESPN named the Patriots as the best team fit for the first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Clemson.
“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. He would pair nicely with Christian Barmore to give first-year head coach Jerod Mayo two difference-makers on the defensive interior,” wrote Bowen.
The defensive tackle market in the NFL has boomed in recent offseasons. Teams are investing major money into talented players as eight players have contracts worth at least $80 million with an annual average of at least $20 million at the position.
NFL News & Rumors: Christian Wilkins, 2024 NFL Free Agency, New England Patriots Updates
Wilkins could very well make it nine this offseason as he has developed into one of the better players in the NFL at the position. He is proven durable, missing only two games in his career and none in the last three seasons.
The Clemson product picked a great time to put together the best season of his career, as the nine sacks in 2023 were nearly as many as in his first three seasons in the NFL combined. He is a game-wrecker in the middle of the defensive line and would be a huge upgrade for the Patriots while hurting a division rival in the process.
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