Should the Patriots have been in on Laremy Tunsil? Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry weigh in on the Patriots still not having a left tackle.
What to Know
- The Patriots stayed quiet on Day 2 after an active start to free agency.
- Former Pats QB Jacoby Brissett reportedly will sign with the Cardinals.
- Wide receiver and left tackle still New England's most glaring needs.
- Deals can become official on Wednesday starting at 4 p.m. ET.
The New England Patriots stayed quiet on Day 2 of NFL free agency after an active start to the legal tampering period.
After reportedly making several defensive upgrades on Day 1, new head coach Mike Vrabel and Co. still must improve at the wide receiver and left tackle positions. They bolstered the receiving corps by adding Mack Hollins on Monday, but the Patriots need a true No. 1 target for young quarterback Drake Maye.
Fortunately, options still remain on the market. Los Angeles Rams star Cooper Kupp is expected to be released if a trade doesn't materialize by Wednesday. Amari Cooper and Stefon Diggs are the biggest receiver names left on the free-agent market.
Check out our full Day 2 recap below:
Updated list of Patriots' additions and departures
By Darren Hartwell
DeAndre Hopkins off the board
By Justin Leger
Close, but no cigar…
By Justin Leger
Breaking down Patriots' free agency moves so far
By Justin Leger
Brissett to Arizona
By Justin Leger
What does Dobb signing mean for Milton?
By Justin Leger
Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal reacts to the Patriots signing veteran quarterback Josh Dobbs and what it means for Joe Milton’s future in New England:
What's next at receiver? Exploring pass-catching options for Patriots
By Phil Perry
Should the Patriots have been in on Laremy Tunsil? Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry weigh in on the Patriots still not having a left tackle.
One of the themes of the Patriots' pursuit of free agents on Monday -- the first day of the NFL's legal tampering period -- was familiarity.
Pass-rusher Harold Landry III, linebacker Robert Spillane and quarterback Josh Dobbs played under Mike Vrabel in Tennessee. Cornerback Carlton Davis crossed over with defensive coordinator Terrell Williams in Detroit. Spillane and receiver Mack Hollins were coached by Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas. Offensive tackle Morgan Moses and Patriots receivers coach Todd Downing were together with the Jets the last two seasons.
With the Patriots still needing help at wide receiver, are there any other familiar options for them to try to collect as they reshape their locker room?
Two of the most well-known options who'd fit that bill are currently under contract with other teams.
Vrabel prioritizes culture fits for Patriots early in free agency
By Phil Perry
Should the Patriots have been in on Laremy Tunsil? Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry weigh in on the Patriots still not having a left tackle.
There's a clear thread connecting all of New England's signings over the course of the first 24 hours in the legal tampering period of NFL free agency, and it should come as no surprise given Mike Vrabel's reputation.
Each one of their additions, it could be argued, figure to be positive additions to the kind of culture the new head coach is hoping to establish at One Patriot Place.
Of course Vrabel knew he had to add starters. And he knows he still has needs at places like wide receiver and left tackle.
But the Patriots wanted to be smart about the kinds of human beings they were introducing to their locker room this offseason, and they executed that vision with a flurry of moves that will simultaneously improve the roster's overall talent while also raising its level of professionalism.
NFL's best WR gave lots of praise to new Patriots CB Carlton Davis
By Nick Goss
Should the Patriots have been in on Laremy Tunsil? Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry weigh in on the Patriots still not having a left tackle.
The New England Patriots made a lot of good signings on the first day of the legal tampering period of NFL free agency, and one of the best additions was Carlton Davis.
The veteran cornerback agreed to sign a three-year, $60 million contract, including $34.5 million guaranteed, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Patriots now have two very good cornerbacks in Davis and 2023 first-round pick Christian Gonzalez, who was named second team All-Pro last season.
Davis is well-respected around the league. In fact, former Patriots safety and current NBC Sports analyst Devin McCourty asked Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase in a 2023 interview to name the best defensive back he's played against.
Time to pivot? Assessing Patriots' dwindling options at left tackle
By Phil Perry
Should the Patriots have been in on Laremy Tunsil? Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry weigh in on the Patriots still not having a left tackle.
The Patriots added several starters at positions of need on Monday, thanks in part to a pivot-happy approach. They went where the market took them.
No high-end wideout willing to take their money? Pivot. Devote a little more to a cornerback. No big-time pass-protector available? Pivot. Offer more to a game-wrecker on the interior of the defensive line.
Now, as the Patriots attack Day 2 of the NFL's legal tampering period, it's time to pivot again. They're desperate. They need to find a left tackle for the sake of their second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who was pressured an average of 13 times (160 pressures in 12 games) per start as a rookie.
The supply of starting-caliber players at the position is short.
Mike Reiss: Milton Williams the ‘pearl' of 2025 FA class
By Darren Hartwell
ESPN's Mike Reiss reacts to the Patriots landing defensive tackle Milton Williams on Tuesday's episode of Zolak & Bertrand:
