The New England Patriots are preparing to have an offseason that could shape the future of the franchise. The entire offseason for the Patriots is reliant upon whether or not Tom Brady returns to the team next season.
While Brady has had a chance to leave New England before, this is the first time in his career he is testing free agency. Despite turning 43 years old this year, Brady is going to have a few teams that are interested in signing him.
Of course, the Patriots would like to bring Brady back and allow him to finish his career in Foxborough. For the Patriots to convince Brady to return, they need to add some weapons to the offense this offseason. All that being said, here are three positions the Patriots must focus on improving in free agency.
Guard
As the Patriots gear up for free agency, they have a few marquee names that are hitting the open market. On the offensive side of the ball, Joe Thuney could be headed elsewhere depending on what his asking price is.
Since coming into the NFL in 2016, Thuney has started in 64 straight games for the Patriots at left guard. However, Thuney could be a coveted free agent and he could price his way out of New England in free agency.
Instead of taking a shot in the dark in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Patriots should look for Thuney's replacement in free agency if he is signed by another team. Some cheaper options in free agency would include Andrus Peat and Graham Glasgow.
Wide Receiver
From last offseason to the end of the 2019 season, the Patriots added N'Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers, and Mohamed Sanu at wide receiver. Despite the efforts to strengthen the position, New England wasn't able to get much out of their receivers outside of Julian Edelman.
In the upcoming free agency, there's a decent chance that Phillip Dorsett is leaving the Patriots. Regardless of whether or not he returns, New England should be looking to add a veteran in free agency.
Just to name a few, A.J. Green, Emmanuel Sanders, and Randall Cobb all make sense for the Patriots. At the same time, Breshad Perriman, Paul Richardson, and Taylor Gabriel could also be viable targets.
Tight End
Last but not least, the Patriots need to fill the void that was left by Rob Gronkowski when he retired after the 2018 season. Over the course of the 2019 season, Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse, and Ryan Izzo all spent time at tight end for New England.
In his final season in the NFL, Gronkowski hauled in 47 receptions for 682 yards and three touchdowns. For comparison, the three tight ends for the Patriots combined for only 36 catches, 418 yards, and two touchdowns in 2019.
Given those numbers, the Patriots should be looking to add one of the notable tight ends in free agency. When free agency gets underway, New England should have names like Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry, and Eric Ebron on their radar.
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