The Patriots have completed step one of rebuild 4.0 by bringing in an experienced staff with connections from around the league. The next phase is to actually improve (skipping over resigning and franchise tag period for now) rather than just staying the same, which we did last year to a degree.

This exercise will be based on reality but also show our cap strength and needs; both are great. We can’t get the best player for every position, but we should be able to get a handful of the top players for some positions. The ability to add incentives into these mostly guaranteed contracts would be tremendous, the Krafts can’t afford to be frugal here. This is a big class, and we have the quarterback now; simply put, we can mess around.

5). Zach Baun LB PHI

The Patriots have had linebacker struggles for years, especially in coverage, since this defensive style has always featured heavier backs to stop the run. The game has changed; linebackers need to be able to cover side to side and downhill with how much 12 personnel the elite teams run. Baun had a 91.5 PFF coverage grade, the best at the position.

The 28-year-old is gaining valuable playoff experience and could come and be a leader on this team—a three-year 32 million with $27 guaranteed deal & the rest tied to incentives. New England must offer player-friendly deals to return to where the team and fanbase want to be.

4). Khalil Mack EDGE LAC

Khalil Mack is not retiring, and why should he? Mack had a solid year ranking as PFF’s eighth-best edge defender; while his sack number was low (6), he was the second-best against the run as an EDGE. Khalil could come in and add leadership, experience, and some star power while also fortifying the run defense and adding a capable rusher.

The best part about Mack is that at 33 years old, he won’t command an elite contract. A two-year $25 million deal, $15 guaranteed (already around $3 million above his market value), and then tie $10 million to team success incentives. If New England makes the playoffs, he will profit almost another $13 million.

3). Alaric Jackson T LAR

The need becomes more significant as we get into the top three players on this list. If they can’t get one of these players, I think they failed in the FA period. Alaric Jackson was one of the top half tackles this year with a PFF grade of 78.4; for perspective, Demontry Jacobs ranked 81st at a 38.3 grade.

At 6’7 and 285 pounds, Jackson offers them length they don’t have on the roster anymore. Coming from the Rams gives him an edge in any scheme that allows him to get to the second level or roll out the pocket with Maye to protect him. A four-year $90 million with $80 guaranteed, 20 million a year, and chances to get more incentives by keeping Maye upright.

2). Tee Higgins WR CIN

Everyone wants to have Tee Higgins at one, but he comes in as the number two target in this FA market for two reasons. The first is his ties to Burrow and Cincy; they are a major player but have a ton of other contracts. The other reason is that I genuinely believe the WR talent at the top of the draft is far better than the top talent at the OL positions.

Tee Higgins is picture-perfect as a fit; he is everything we don’t have as a true outside X receiver and an elite talent at the position. If he slots in at the top, Hunter Henry slips into the two role (he’s perfect for that) — Douglas, Boutte, and maybe even Polk slot in as high-level accessory pieces.

Higgins is going to get a five-year $160 million deal with $130 guaranteed and the other $30 million available in incentives

1). Trey Smith G KC

This is my top target for the Patriots in 2025. Trey Smith is currently a top-12 guard with two Super Bowl wins and a possible three-peat on deck. If they were to add Jackson and Smith to the left side of the line, that would instantly become a strength for the Patriots.

David Andrews should be back at center next year, and Michael Onwenu should stay at right guard all year and perform with better pieces around him. That still leaves the right tackle spot open, but with the experience some of the guys got as starters last year, should turn into decent depth.

Signing Trey Smith to a three-year $85 million deal with $65 guaranteed does three things: it gives you Super Bowl experience, adds legit protection for the best asset in the organization, and takes some of Mahomes interior safety away from him. It’s a no-brainer to me.

0). End Of My Patriots Rant

The time for relaxed and chill building Patriots is over; Drake Maye is here under a cheap contract, and we have the most money in the league, a top-five draft pick in each round, and experienced coaches all over the staff. The time to improve is now. The time to build the best team money and great drafts can buy is now. I don’t want to keep losing.