The Patriots’ biggest want this offseason isn’t any secret.
It’s been a obtrusive weak spot for months.
The Pats want extra edge go rush outdoors of defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore in the event that they wish to keep away from ramping up their blitz fee to obscene ranges close to 50%, as they typically did within the playoffs. Harold Landry’s midseason knee damage did the protection no favors, however now Ok’Lavon Chaisson’s impending free company is the larger drawback. Chaisson led the Patriots in complete pressures final season, and would depart behind a dearth of confirmed choices if he indicators with a brand new workforce.
In line with sources, the Pats hope to retain Chaisson, and will signal two or extra edge rushers in free company. Listed here are the names to know, with contract projections courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
High targets
Jaelan Phillips
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 266
Age: 26
Projected contract: $15 million per 12 months
The previous Dolphin went for a third-round decide on the commerce deadline, when the Patriots had curiosity however misplaced a bidding warfare to the Eagles. Phillips totaled 44 pressures over 9 video games in Philadelphia, the place he showcased all of the first-round potential scouts noticed when he was drafted again in 2021. If Phillips’ damage woes are behind him — he performed in solely a dozen video games over the 2023-24 seasons — he affords arguably the very best worth and upside among the many prime edge rushers in the marketplace.
Of observe: Bengals defensive finish Trey Hendrickson is the very best edge defender obtainable, however league sources didn’t tie the Patriots to the 31-year-old on the NFL Scouting Mix.
Odafe Oweh
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 251
Age: 27
Projected contract: $19.5 million per 12 months
One other edge rusher traded earlier than the deadline, Oweh destroyed the Patriots within the playoffs, recording three sacks and a pressured fumble in a wild-card loss for the Chargers. A 2021 first-round decide, Oweh had only one 10-sack season over four-plus years in Baltimore, the place the Ravens by no means absolutely maximized his elite athleticism and quickness. Oweh then posted 10.5 sacks and 16 QB hits over 13 video games in Los Angeles.
He leans a bit smaller, however Oweh nonetheless graded out as a median run defender most seasons, per PFF.
Mid-level veterans
Ok’Lavon Chaisson
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 255
Age: 26
Projected contract: $15 million per 12 months
Few, if any, free brokers timed their breakout season higher than Chaisson, a 2020 first-round decide who lastly regarded the half in New England. Chaisson paired his elite pace rush with a brand new bull rush to set profession highs throughout the board. Whereas his run protection nonetheless lags effectively behind his pass-rushing expertise, the distinction Chaisson could make on third downs and different high-leverage conditions ought to earn him a pleasant payday.
He’s a gifted athlete within the prime of his profession with new instruments in his bag. The one questions are actually: can he preserve this manufacturing? And can the Pats hold him?
Boye Mafe
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 261
Age: 27
Projected contract: $16.3 million per 12 months
An ascending participant, Mafe created extra hurries and hits in Seattle than sacks. He totaled 146 pressures during the last three seasons, in response to PFF, and carried out effectively as a run defender. Due to the steadiness in his sport, Mafe’s worth vary might range greater than different prime edge rushers obtainable. Bodily, he matches the prototypes the Patriots search for at this place, and they’re loads accustomed to his work after he tallied three pressures towards them in Tremendous Bowl LX.
Dre’Mont Jones
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 281
Age: 29
Projected contract: $10 million per 12 months
The Patriots had curiosity in Jones on the commerce deadline, however talks by no means significantly superior, per sources, which allowed him to go from Tennessee to Baltimore midseason. He completed with seven sacks mixed and a powerful 24 QB hits. Jones is the one participant listed right here who can kick inside and supply stress as an inside rusher, one thing he’s executed for a number of groups. He’s additionally one of many surest tacklers obtainable no matter place.
Kwity Paye
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 265
Age: 27
Projected contract: $10 million per 12 months
Paye was a five-year starter for the Colts, who might choose to retain him. If not, the Patriots are a workforce to observe for the 2021 first-rounder, who has modest profession manufacturing however a terrific first step. He appears greatest suited to a rotational function at his subsequent cease.
Cut price bin
Arnold Ebiketie
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 250
Age: 27
Projected contract: $8 million per 12 months
Ebiketie has by no means lived as much as his draft standing as a former top-40 decide with lengthy arms, good arms and plus athleticism. He stuffed a rotational pass-rushing function in Atlanta, the place he recorded six sacks in two seasons however by no means topped 40 tackles. Signing Ebiketie would mirror the workforce’s addition of Chaisson final spring, after they inked him to a one-year flier contract hoping to purchase low and extract some untapped potential.
Joseph Ossai
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 263
Age: 25
Projected contract: $7 million per 12 months
A tough-charging go rusher, Ossai totaled simply 14.5 sacks over 4 seasons in Cincinnati. He’s the youngest participant on this listing and among the best projected matches for Mike Vrabel’s tradition, however lacks the power to bend across the edge like different free brokers.
Kingsley Engbare
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 258
Age: 26
Projected contract: N/A
One other flier candidate, Engbare was a rotational go rusher in Inexperienced Bay. He entered the league as a fifth-round pick of Northwestern in 2022, and is on the Patriots’ radar, in response to a league supply.
