After two straight 4-win seasons, the New England Patriots find themselves with a looming question — can we recapture the magic in 2025 we had under all-time greats Bill Belichick and Tom Brady?
On January 12, the Patriots hired former Patriots linebacker and Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel as their new head coach. He’s replacing the recently fired Jerod Mayo after only one season. While Vrabel will continue the trend of defensive-minded head coaches at the helm of the Patriots, we at least know he will find a way to have a strong running game. And that’s a good thing for us fantasy football managers.
In six seasons leading the Titans, Vrabel’s offenses were top 6 in rushing yards four times. And when the running game is working, the passing game can be efficient enough to keep defenses honest. Considering the Patriots ranked last in the NFL in passing yards and 31st in passing TDs, it’s safe to say he has his work cut out for him.
Fixing the New England Patriots in 2025
What Do The Fans Want?
I wanted to do something a little different with this year’s series. Fans sometimes have unrealistic ways of approaching the offseason. Not all understand the realities of scheme fit or the salary cap. But some do.
So I asked my No Punt Intended co-host, Joe Zollo — an avid Patriots fan — what he would like to see the team do this offseason to improve the team. Here are his thoughts:
- Fire the coaching staff
- Overpay targets in free agency to prove to the league you’re not an unserious franchise
- Trade back from their top pick (4th overall), get additional draft capital that includes a 2026 1st, and draft the top available offensive linemen
Well, the coaching staff is out, so step one is complete. Let’s look at how free agency could play out and who the team should target, even without knowing who the offensive coordinator will be.
Make It Rain on Free Agents
With so few pieces to build around, it’s a good thing the Patriots have the most available cap space as of this writing — $112.2 million. So, what do they need on offense to produce for fantasy football managers? It starts and ends with the offensive line. Literally, all five spots should be filled with better players. This unit allowed the 5th-most sacks in the NFL last year. Protecting their franchise QB, Drake Maye should be at the forefront of every decision the head brass makes this offseason.
Will running back be a position to target? They signed Rhamondre Stevenson to a four-year extension last year and signed Antonio Gibson to a three-year deal. Both have a history of ball security issues, so Vrabel may be fine pivoting off of them. Stevenson’s cap hit is lessened via trade, and with the resurgence of RBs in 2024, there will likely be a team interested.
The problem? This year’s free-agent crop of RBs is straight doo doo. So, if the Patriots add anyone to the RB room, it’s likely to be a rookie from the middle rounds.
At tight end, Hunter Henry was the team’s best weapon, leading the team in receptions and yards. He’ll also be 31 in 2025 and is more of a chain-mover than an elite weapon.
Where the team clearly needs an upgrade is at WR. Demario Douglas tied with Henry for the team lead in receptions but averaged less than 10 yards a catch. Second-year player Kayshon Boutte finished with 43 catches and 589 yards. He also led the team with 13.9 yards per reception and tied for the team lead with three receiving touchdowns.
So, where to start?
The Offensive Line Needs Some TLC
It’s easy to say, “Go sign Tee Higgins.” But with a weak free agent wide receiver class, it might take $35 million a year to sign him. Will the Patriots go that high? Let’s be real, probably not. It might make more sense for this team to find their WR in the draft.
That means they will need to go big on offensive linemen in free agency in an effort to protect Drake Maye. Their best lineman last year, Michael Onwenu, shifted to guard midway through the season. He also currently has the highest cap hit of anyone on the team. Luckily, there are some solid options with which to chase, some of which are familiar with Mike Vrabel.
Cam Robinson
After a midseason trade to the Vikings, Robinson is not likely to re-sign as he was an injury replacement for star LT Christian Darrisaw. Because of that, a starting LT at 30 years old hits free agency. Robinson was solid while filling in for Darrisaw in the second half of the season. A three-year deal for between $17 and $19 million a year wouldn’t be a terrible contract.
Jedrick Wills
Once upon a time, Wills possessed the upside to be one of the better tackles in football. Injuries have set him back some, which is why a change of scenery could be just what gets him back to looking like a competent starting tackle. And wouldn’t you know it, Mike Vrabel spent this past season in Cleveland as a consultant on Kevin Stefanski’s staff. On a one-year, prove-it deal around $8 to $10 million, Wills could team with Robinson to form a quality starting tackle duo.
Dillon Radunz
A starter in Tennessee the last two seasons, Radunz was drafted by the Titans when Vrabel was the team’s head coach. He has started at both tackle and guard, offering the Patriots some versatility as they look to put the best five on the field to protect Maye. If he’s brought in as a guard, a three- or four-year deal around $11 million per year should be the going rate.
Those three free agents, teamed with existing linemen Onwenu and Center David Andrews (if he doesn’t retire), is a good start toward the goal of protecting Drake Maye. And the best part? It barely puts a dent in the available cap space, as much of that will need to go toward signing players to fill out Vrabel’s defense.
What other moves would help Drake Maye take the next step?
Pass Catchers are at a Premium
On January 21st, the Patriots announced they’re bringing back former OC Josh McDaniels for a third time as the team’s offensive coordinator. We’ve seen McDaniels’ offense operate in many different ways. Heavy run game, explosive passing game — he’s pretty good about molding and adapting his scheme to fit his personnel. The problem? His current personnel kinda sucks.
In short, weapons will be needed. One name I would look to target on the free agent market is Browns free agent WR Elijah Moore. Moore has shown the ability to get hot in stretches, and he can play both inside from the slot and outside as the Z. Plus, he’s previously played in the AFC East (Jets).
Assuming Tee Higgins is out of reach, the Patriots should explore the trade market before diving head-first into the Draft. The first name that comes to mind as a trade option is Seahawks WR DK Metcalf. And trading one of their two third-round picks with an additional piece or late-round draft pick (they have three 7ths in 2025 and two 6ths in 2026) should be enough, considering they’ll need to extend Metcalf as well. Or, dare I say, include QB Joe Milton III in the deal? Seattle could use a young QB to build around and Drake Maye is clearly the Patriots’ future.
Last season seemed to spell the end of Metcalf’s time in Seattle. And it seems like the writing has been on the wall for some time. When most big-money WR contracts were for four or more years, Metcalf was only given a three-year deal. We know all about his big-play ability — he averages 14.4 yards per reception and eight touchdowns a season. He’s the kind of WR that can take over games and bully corners. Pair that with Drake Maye’s big arm. I’m already salivating at the possibilities. (And just for icing on the cake, Metcalf and Moore played with each other at Ole Miss. That’d be a fun reunion.)
With Drake Maye at QB, Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson at RB, teaming DK Metcalf and Elijah Moore with Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, and the ever-reliable Hunter Henry at TE, the Patriots can make some noise on offense with the right play caller in place.
Draft Day Targets
The Patriots currently sit at 4th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. With the three teams ahead of them needing QBs and only two that are likely to be drafted there, trading back may not be an option for New England.
Their biggest needs on offense are OL and WR, two positions that could realistically make sense that high in this year’s draft based on the talent available at both of those positions.
One name that is linked to New England is CB/WR Travis Hunter. Many believe he will mainly play corner in the pros, but income potential could sway him to give WR a try full-time. No matter which position he plays, NE will only get a part-time player at a position of need.
But is Hunter the best WR in this draft? Many might point to Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan. He’s 6’5″, 212 pounds, and is a contested catch merchant. For all the reasons I like the idea of pairing DK Metcalf with Drake Maye, the same applies to McMillan.
If the Patriots go the route of offensive line help, Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr or LSU OL Will Campbell are plug-and-play starters who can buy Maye more time to hit whatever weapons he has at his disposal.
Will YOU be drafting any Patriots in 2025?
It’s an interesting question. Because, as of right now, I wouldn’t rely on any current Patriots player for consistent fantasy football production in 2025. There’s obvious intrigue and upside to Drake Maye, especially given his ability as a runner from the quarterback position.
Rhamondre Stevenson burned so many people in 2024 that I can see his ADP slipping into the 30s among RBs (when he should still be a top-24 option). Antonio Gibson’s value will rely on whether McDaniels sees him more as a 1b option, strictly a passing down back, or just Stevenson’s backup.
The WR room as is doesn’t have a single top 50 option. But if you add DK Metcalf and Elijah Moore, you have a top 20 option and a top 40 FLEX option. Maybe we shouldn’t sleep on Demario Douglas, though. Josh McDaniels has never met a slot receiver he couldn’t make into a top-25 WR.
Hunter Henry has top-12 TE upside, but he’s a streamer based on weekly matchups and whether or not he can score more than two touchdowns in 2025.
Does any of that excite you? Hopefully, the moves I made for New England do. And they should.
Will this fix the New England Patriots in 2025? Be sure you’re following Josh Hudson on X , and let him know your thoughts. You can also find more great content from Club Fantasy here!
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