New England Patriots
The Patriots are seemingly available on the market for an edge rusher as NFL free company opens on Monday.
The Patriots are positioned to be gamers in free company following their current string of cap-clearing strikes, and one insider thinks they’ll have the ability to signal one of many high edge rushers out there.
In a column predicting where the top 20 NFL free agents will sign, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano has the Patriots signing Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe. As a part of the prediction, Graziano projected that Mafe will get a three-year, $48 million contract with $25 million assured.
Mafe, 27, was one of many handful of standouts alongside the Seahawks’ defensive position that served as a catalyst of their run to a Tremendous Bowl title this previous season. Regardless that he solely had two sacks in 2025, he had 44 presures this previous season, per Professional Soccer Focus.
To place in perspective how nicely of a move rusher Mafe is, he logged a 17.4 % move rush win charge this season. That quantity would’ve been the most effective mark amongst all Patriots edge rushers final season, and it was solely second to Milton Williams.
Mafe has been in a position to get sacks prior to now, although. The four-year veteran had 9 sacks in 2023 and 6 sacks in 15 video games in 2024. He logged 55 pressures in that nine-sack season, including a 13.1 move rush win charge.
Edge rusher has been seen as an area of need for the Patriots coming into the offseason, and that’s even earlier than they doubtlessly lose Okay’Lavon Chaisson in free company. Chaisson had a breakout marketing campaign in his first season with New England, logging 10.5 sacks (common season and postseason mixed).
Mafe would definitely assist out in some regard, however he isn’t seen as one of many high few edge rushers out there. Following the Raiders’ commerce of Maxx Crosby, Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is perhaps the one different move rusher thought of to be elite that may transfer this offseason. He’ll grow to be a free agent on Monday. Jaelan Phillips of the Eagles and Odafe Oweh of the Chargers are additionally thought of to be two of the highest three free-agent edge rushers this offseason.
Whereas the Patriots have been linked to a number of the high few free-agent edge rushers, the highest pending free-agent they’ve been most linked to in current days is Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce. Following the choice to launch Stefon Diggs, hypothesis ramped up that New England might find yourself being Pierce’s subsequent house.
Nevertheless, Graziano doesn’t see that occuring. He has the Chargers signing the Colts’ standout move catcher. Graziano’s additionally projecting Pierce lands a three-year, $80 million cope with $55 million assured.
That contract would make Pierce one of many league’s 15 highest-paid vast receivers on an annual foundation. Some may view that contract as a bit wealthy contemplating the manufacturing Pierce has put out in his four-year profession. However he additionally led the league in yards per reception for a second straight season in 2025, logging 47 receptions on 84 targets for 1,004 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Patriots seemingly have the cap room to pay Pierce and Mafe these projected contracts this offseason. New England has $61.6 million cap area as of Saturday afternoon, per @PatsCap on X.
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