The 2022 NFL offseason didn't bring the same fireworks the 2021 offseason did for the Patriots.

New England spent just $26.9 million in guaranteed money in free agency over the offseason, much lower than the record-setting $163 million it spent in free agency in 2021. Of course, all of that spending in 2021 meant the Patriots wouldn't have as much cap space to play with in 2022.

In a way, having most of the talent they acquired in free agency in 2021 could help the Patriots take the next step after they returned to the playoffs in 2021. Tight end Hunter Henry and linebacker Matthew Judon proved to be valuable additions, with the former scoring a career-high nine touchdowns and the latter recording a career-best 12.5 sacks. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne also had a career year in his first season in New England, posting 55 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns.

On the flip side, receiver Nelson Agholor and tight end Jonnu Smith struggled in their first seasons in New England. Agholor's 37 receptions were his lowest in a season since 2016 and Smith had just 28 receptions for 294 yards and a touchdown, which was a career-low. Any notable jump in production from either player could feel like an addition after their respective 2021 seasons.

While all of the aforementioned signings left the Patriots little room to add in 2022, they were still able to make a pair of additions this offseason that could raise their ceiling for the upcoming year. Here are three moves the Patriots made this offseason that could put them over the top.

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Patriots' best offseason moves

3. Re-signing multiple key players

The Patriots let star corner J.C. Jackson walk to the Chargers as he signed a huge contract this offseason, but they were able to keep a few key players around for 2022.

The biggest is safety Devin McCourty. The second-longest tenured Patriot was still able to have a strong impact at 34 last season, recording three interceptions as opposing quarterbacks completed just 9-of-26 passes when targeting him. McCourty's presence in the secondary will be much-needed following Jackson's departure.

Offensively, Trent Brown's return brings some stability to New England's offensive line to protect Mac Jones in his second season. Jones was sacked 17 times in the first nine games, in which Brown missed all but one series. In the following eight games, Jones was sacked 11 times as the Patriots had more sturdy pass protection with Brown at right tackle.

Finally, kicker Nick Folk ended up being a key player for the Patriots in 2021. He led the league in points scored (150), making 36-of-39 field goals, and made all 31 of his field goals from within 50 yards. Folk's return gives the Patriots security in situations where their offense stalls out in the opponent's side of the field.

2. Signing Jabrill Peppers

Linebacker was clearly a weakness for the Patriots last season, especially as the Bills ran for 174 yards on six yards per carry in the blowout playoff loss. Veteran linebackers Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins remain free agents as New England appears to get younger at the position.

One of the ways the Patriots got younger was by simply re-signing 25-year-old Ja'Whaun Bentley. The other way was a bit more unconventional. New England signed 26-year-old safety Jabrill Peppers to a one-year deal.

Peppers isn't necessarily best-suited as a safety in pass coverage. In fact, most of his snaps come from within the box on defense, per Pro Football Focus. Peppers has been a tackling machine in the past. He recorded 91 combined tackles in 2020, which was third on the Giants that season. Peppers tore an ACL though in 2021, shortening his season after six games. He recorded 29 combined tackles and four QB hits (a career-high) in his shortened season.

If Peppers can make plays behind the line of scrimmage and limit the amount of big runs opposing teams have, the Patriots will have gotten him at a bargain by signing him for $5 million.

1. Trading for DeVante Parker 

The Patriots' offseasons signings at receiver plus the drafting of Mac Jones boosted the Patriots' aerial game in 2021. But it was clear that it was still lacking.

New England was 14th in passing yards per game (226.9) last season and Jones was tied for 14th in passing touchdowns (22). Sure, it had Henry as a red zone threat, but his nine receiving touchdowns made it clear he was the only real red zone target Jones had in 2021.

That's why trading for Parker made a lot of sense for the Patriots.

Parker, 29, has the highest upside out of all the players in the Patriots' receiving room. In 2019, he caught passes for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns. His performance that season, especially in the regular-season finale against the Patriots (where he had 11 receptions for 137 yards against Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore), showed he can move the ball in the open field and be a reliable red zone target.

Sure, Parker didn't reach those 2019 heights in 2020 and 2021 (he had 40 receptions and two touchdowns as a hamstring injury limited him to 10 games last season). However, Parker's always been able to move the ball once he gets the ball in his hands. Parker's 14 yards per reception over his career is the best out of any receiver New England has, and that number would've ranked 22nd among eligible receivers last season.

As Parker's ability to get the ball down the field is a proven commodity, the Patriots saw the veteran receiver show his ability to score on a long touchdown pass during an OTA practice in May. Bourne called the play “dope” and Jones already likes the connection he has with Parker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_hb9UwfMFI

“Yeah, I’m really happy with the [receiver] group we have,” Jones said following the practice in May. “I got a chance to work with all of them in the offseason at various locations, here and all that, so I’ve been very pleased with everybody. They have a tight group once again. DeVante’s done a great job coming in, working in a new system, there’s some familiarity, you know, with the Dolphins and all that, but we’re happy to have him and anybody that can contribute to our team.

“We’re ready to go, so it’s a good group and we just have to keep elevating each other and push each other and compete.”

If Parker can do both of the aforementioned things in 2022, Jones and the Patriots will be on the rise.