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The New England Patriots entered the offseason with over $127 million in cap space, which was the most in the NFL. With major holes across the roster, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf needed to be aggressive in acquiring talent to rebuild the team in their vision.
The Patriots made several notable signings, addressing key needs while also bringing in veteran leadership to reshape the culture of the team. Some deals were home runs, while others were more about filling immediate voids without necessarily being long-term solutions.
Without further ado, let’s grade each free agent signing based on fit, impact, and overall value to the team.
Grade: B+
Landry fills a major need as the Patriots’ new top edge rusher, reuniting with Mike Vrabel, who coached him in Tennessee. His contract is reasonable for a productive pass rusher, and he has a proven track record of success.
The reason this isn’t an A?
There were other top-tier options, and Landry has battled injuries in the past. Still, the fit makes sense, and he should thrive in Vrabel’s defensive system. We could also see him being a tone-setter in the locker room after losing Deatrich Wise and Jonathan Jones in free agency.
Grade: A-
At first glance, this move might have been confusing given that the Patriots already have Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai, but this is about shifting to a new defensive identity under Terrell Williams, who will want smaller, aggressive linebackers.
Spillane is a tackling machine, ranking among the best in the league in that area. He’s not elite in coverage, but he’s a tone-setter, a leader, and exactly the type of player Vrabel wants in his linebacker room.
This feels like a culture-building signing, and for that reason, it’s a strong addition.
Grade: B+
The Patriots needed stability on the offensive line, and Moses brings exactly that. A dependable veteran with years of solid play under his belt, he gives New England a starting right tackle for at least the next two years.
This signing also benefits Caedan Wallace, as he can develop behind Moses while learning the nuances of the position.
The only reason this isn’t an A?
Moses is 34 years old, and there’s some concern over long-term durability. Still, this is a strong signing to stabilize the offensive line and locker room. The Patriots get a reliable lineman who is plug-and-play to help boost their offensive front.
Grade: A-
The Patriots desperately needed a No. 2 corner opposite Christian Gonzalez, and Davis checks every box. At 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds, he fits Mike Vrabel’s preference for bigger corners, and his physical style is a perfect complement to Gonzalez’s fluid athleticism.
Additionally, Davis has experience in Terrell Williams’ defensive system from their time together in Detroit, making this an even better fit. He will also be aggressive and play the ball more, giving the Patriots more turnovers, which is something they lacked last year.
The only reason this isn’t an A+? The contract is on the higher end for a CB2, but Davis fills a massive need and solidifies the secondary.
Grade: B-
Hollins is not a game-changing wide receiver, but he is a valuable depth piece who brings size (6-foot-4) and special teams ability.
The Patriots needed a true X receiver to complement their offense, and Hollins at least gives them a veteran option in that role. His leadership and locker room presence are also huge positives for a team undergoing a culture shift.
That said, Hollins is not a long-term answer, which is why this is a solid but unspectacular signing. He is going to compete for a roster spot and a role in the red zone.
The Patriots need solid NFL players, and with this move, they continue to add veterans to each position group that was lacking those who have done it before.
This approach will raise the floor and provide additional voices to help develop and keep younger players in line.
Grade: A
Dobbs is a capable backup, but this move is more about stability than excitement. The Patriots needed a veteran quarrterback behind Drake Maye, and Dobbs is an experienced signal-caller who can step in if needed.
However, this doesn’t move the needle much, and there were better backup options available. It’s a necessary signing but not a game-changer.
The reason this is an A?
Drake Maye. A sneaky need was a veteran backup. The Patriots have relied on quarterbacks who are young to take charge, but the issue is they all want to play, which could be detrimental. You want a backup who is capable, and prepares as the starter, but knows he's the backup.
This signing clears any doubt in Maye's mind, so he can focus on improving, and not looking over his shoulder or having conflicting voices in the locker room vying for attention.
Two quarterbacks who believe in themselves the same way is tough, and last year, the Patriots had three signal-callers. Dobbs is a fresh start that ensures Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe doesn't happen again.
Grade: A+
This is the biggest signing of the Patriots’ offseason, and it’s an absolute home run. Williams was widely expected to sign with Carolina, but the Patriots outbid them at the last second and landed one of the best young defensive linemen in the NFL.
At 25 years old, he brings elite pass-rushing ability from the interior, filling a major void with Christian Barmore’s health in question. More than just a talent upgrade, this deal sends a message—the Patriots are willing to aggressively pay for elite players.
This is the kind of signing that changes a defense and helps build a new identity under Vrabel. They lacked young playmakers and were struggling to generate pressure. Williams helps them with both of those issues.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 2025 free agency: Grading Patriots’ first wave of signings
Continue reading...
The Patriots made several notable signings, addressing key needs while also bringing in veteran leadership to reshape the culture of the team. Some deals were home runs, while others were more about filling immediate voids without necessarily being long-term solutions.
Without further ado, let’s grade each free agent signing based on fit, impact, and overall value to the team.
Harold Landry - EDGE
Grade: B+
Landry fills a major need as the Patriots’ new top edge rusher, reuniting with Mike Vrabel, who coached him in Tennessee. His contract is reasonable for a productive pass rusher, and he has a proven track record of success.
The reason this isn’t an A?
There were other top-tier options, and Landry has battled injuries in the past. Still, the fit makes sense, and he should thrive in Vrabel’s defensive system. We could also see him being a tone-setter in the locker room after losing Deatrich Wise and Jonathan Jones in free agency.
Robert Spillane - LB
Grade: A-
At first glance, this move might have been confusing given that the Patriots already have Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai, but this is about shifting to a new defensive identity under Terrell Williams, who will want smaller, aggressive linebackers.
Spillane is a tackling machine, ranking among the best in the league in that area. He’s not elite in coverage, but he’s a tone-setter, a leader, and exactly the type of player Vrabel wants in his linebacker room.
This feels like a culture-building signing, and for that reason, it’s a strong addition.
Morgan Moses - RT
Grade: B+
The Patriots needed stability on the offensive line, and Moses brings exactly that. A dependable veteran with years of solid play under his belt, he gives New England a starting right tackle for at least the next two years.
This signing also benefits Caedan Wallace, as he can develop behind Moses while learning the nuances of the position.
The only reason this isn’t an A?
Moses is 34 years old, and there’s some concern over long-term durability. Still, this is a strong signing to stabilize the offensive line and locker room. The Patriots get a reliable lineman who is plug-and-play to help boost their offensive front.
Carlton Davis - CB
Grade: A-
The Patriots desperately needed a No. 2 corner opposite Christian Gonzalez, and Davis checks every box. At 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds, he fits Mike Vrabel’s preference for bigger corners, and his physical style is a perfect complement to Gonzalez’s fluid athleticism.
Additionally, Davis has experience in Terrell Williams’ defensive system from their time together in Detroit, making this an even better fit. He will also be aggressive and play the ball more, giving the Patriots more turnovers, which is something they lacked last year.
The only reason this isn’t an A+? The contract is on the higher end for a CB2, but Davis fills a massive need and solidifies the secondary.
Mack Hollins - WR
Grade: B-
Hollins is not a game-changing wide receiver, but he is a valuable depth piece who brings size (6-foot-4) and special teams ability.
The Patriots needed a true X receiver to complement their offense, and Hollins at least gives them a veteran option in that role. His leadership and locker room presence are also huge positives for a team undergoing a culture shift.
That said, Hollins is not a long-term answer, which is why this is a solid but unspectacular signing. He is going to compete for a roster spot and a role in the red zone.
The Patriots need solid NFL players, and with this move, they continue to add veterans to each position group that was lacking those who have done it before.
This approach will raise the floor and provide additional voices to help develop and keep younger players in line.
Joshua Dobbs - QB
Grade: A
Dobbs is a capable backup, but this move is more about stability than excitement. The Patriots needed a veteran quarrterback behind Drake Maye, and Dobbs is an experienced signal-caller who can step in if needed.
However, this doesn’t move the needle much, and there were better backup options available. It’s a necessary signing but not a game-changer.
The reason this is an A?
Drake Maye. A sneaky need was a veteran backup. The Patriots have relied on quarterbacks who are young to take charge, but the issue is they all want to play, which could be detrimental. You want a backup who is capable, and prepares as the starter, but knows he's the backup.
This signing clears any doubt in Maye's mind, so he can focus on improving, and not looking over his shoulder or having conflicting voices in the locker room vying for attention.
Two quarterbacks who believe in themselves the same way is tough, and last year, the Patriots had three signal-callers. Dobbs is a fresh start that ensures Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe doesn't happen again.
Milton Williams - DT
Grade: A+
This is the biggest signing of the Patriots’ offseason, and it’s an absolute home run. Williams was widely expected to sign with Carolina, but the Patriots outbid them at the last second and landed one of the best young defensive linemen in the NFL.
At 25 years old, he brings elite pass-rushing ability from the interior, filling a major void with Christian Barmore’s health in question. More than just a talent upgrade, this deal sends a message—the Patriots are willing to aggressively pay for elite players.
This is the kind of signing that changes a defense and helps build a new identity under Vrabel. They lacked young playmakers and were struggling to generate pressure. Williams helps them with both of those issues.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 2025 free agency: Grading Patriots’ first wave of signings
Continue reading...
