ARRIVALS
WR Stefon Diggs - Officially Signed | Press Release | Bio | Full Report | Film Review
Analysis: The Patriots added the four-time Pro Bowler to second-year QB Drake Maye's supporting cast. Last season, Diggs was on pace for his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season when he tore his ACL in late October. According to reports, there's optimism that Diggs will be ready to go for Week 1 of the upcoming regular season. Based on his pedigree and success with Bills QB Josh Allen, New England adding Diggs into the mix is an exciting move. Diggs will immediately step in as the Patriots most proven wide receiver.
DT Milton Williams - Officially Signed | Full Report | Press Release | Bio
Analysis: The Patriots' decision to sign Williams comes at a crucial time. The departure of Davon Godchaux to the Saints has left a void in the interior defensive line. Additionally, Christian Barmore's battle with blood clots, which sidelined him for most of the 2024 season, casts uncertainty over his availability moving forward. Williams' versatility and proven track record make him an ideal candidate to step into this role, providing both pass-rushing prowess and run-stopping capability. Williams' addition not only fills a critical need but also brings championship experience to a defense aiming to reestablish itself among the league's elite.
DE K'Lavon Chaisson - Officially Signed | Press Release | Bio
Analysis: A former first-round pick coming off the most productive season of his five-year career (five sacks), Chaisson provides needed depth and experience along the edge of the defense. He's still just 25-years-old and has impressive physical gifts. He should have plenty of opportunities to contribute.
OL Wes Schweitzer - Officially Signed | Press Release | Bio
Schweitzer has 62 career starts at the two guard positions and provides some veteran stability in a Patriots offensive line room with a lot of youth along the interior. He could serve as a solid back-up interior swing player but should be in the mix for a starting spot at left guard during training camp.
DT Khyiris Tonga - Officially Signed | Press Release | Bio
Analysis: A 338-pound defensive tackle who spent last season with the Cardinals fills a massive void left behind after Godchaux's departure. He can be a situational interior run stopper, a good complementary piece to Christian Barmore and reported free agent signing Milton Williams.
OT Morgan Moses - Officially Signed | Full Report | Press Release | Bio
Analysis: Throughout his 11-year NFL career, Moses has been a model of consistency. He has played in 166 games, starting 158 of them, demonstrating remarkable durability. That kind of stability is something that the Patriots offensive line needs.
CB Carlton Davis - Officially Signed | Full Report | Press Release | Bio
Analysis: Davis's ability to match up against top receivers and versatility in various coverage schemes make him a good fit for New England's secondary as an outside cornerback no matter what scheme they run.
OLB Robert Spillane - Officially Signed | Full Report | Press Release | Bio
Analysis: Pro Football Focus graded Spillane's 2024 performance with an overall grade of 82.3, placing him fourth out of 189 linebackers. His tackling proficiency and run defense are strengths in his game and should make him a valuable asset alongside veteran captain Ja'Whaun Bentley, who missed nearly all of 2024.
EDGE Harold Landry - Officially Signed | Full Report | Film Review | Press Release | Bio
Analysis: The Patriots first free-agent addition is reuniting former Titans edge rusher Harold Landry with head coach Mike Vrabel on a reported three-year deal. In 2018, Vrabel drafted Landry out of Boston College with a second-round pick while he was Titans head coach. Landry registered two double-digit sack seasons in Vrabel's defense, including making the Pro Bowl in 2021. Last season, Landry logged nine sacks in his final season in Tennessee. Landry is best known for converting speed to power to push the pocket and dipping under blocks with excellent bend to turn a tight corner. He'll now join the Patriots to boost a pass rush that ranked last in sacks during the 2024 season (28).
QB Joshua Dobbs - Officially signed | Press Release | Bio
Analysis: The veteran quarterback provides some leadership and experience behind the Patriots two second-year quarterbacks. Dobbs has 15 career starts, including one last year for the 49ers.
WR Mack Hollins - Officially Signed | Press Release | Film Review | Bio
Analysis - Hollins is 31 and going on his sixth NFL team, but has good size (6-foot-4, 221 pounds) to provide a big outside target for his quarterback. He had his best year (57 catches, 690 yards) under Josh McDaniels in 2022 and is coming off the second-best year after that with Buffalo (31 catches, 378 yards), including a career-high in touchdowns with five.
S Marcus Epps - Officially Signed | Press Release | Bio
Analysis: The Patriots add the sixth-year pro to their safety room to likely play a deep safety role in New England's defense. Over the last two seasons, Epps played mostly at free safety for the Raiders, where he overlapped with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in 2023. With starting safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers more in the hybrid/box safety mold, Epps could fit in nicely as the last line of defense on the backend. Epps suffered a torn ACL that ended his 2024 season after just three games, but reports indicate that the 29-year-old will be ready for training camp.
C Garrett Bradbury - Officially Signed | Press Release | Bio
Analysis: For New England, adding Bradbury into the fold comes after the team released longtime captain David Andrews last week. Minnesota released the sixth-year pro at the start of the league year, making Bradbury an unrestricted free agent. After releasing Andrews, Bradbury, who started 88 games in Minnesota, will likely be the Patriots center in 2025.
LB Jack Gibbens - Officially Signed | Press Release | Bio
RETURNING
TE Austin Hooper - Officially Re-Signed | Press Release | Bio
Analysis: The Patriots re-signed the veteran tight end to a one-year deal after a productive 2024 season. Hooper logged 45 catches for 476 yards and three touchdowns in New England last season. He formed a productive duo with top TE Hunter Henry, with the pairing ranking in the top-six in receptions (113) and receiving yards (1,170) among tight ends. Hooper was a steady veteran presence who gained the trust of second-year QB Drake Maye while he also spent time with head coach Mike Vrabel (2023) and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (2022) in his prior stops.
S Jaylinn Hawkins - Officially Re-Signed | Press Release
DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. - Reportedly Re-Signed
Analysis: Pharms played in 16 games in 2024, 46 percent of the defensive snaps, and provides some depth for a Patriots defensive line that has a lot of uncertainty headed into free agency.
OL Demontrey Jacobs - Reportedly Re-Signed
Analysis: Jacobs started 13 games for the Patriots at tackle, experience that should help him compete for a spot in 2025 at a position group that should see significant additions this offseason.
OL Ben Brown - Reportedly Re-Signed
Analysis: Brown joined the Patriots mid-season last year and immediately started 10 games. Like Jacobs, he provides some experienced depth and competition at a position with some uncertainty after David Andrews 2024 ended on Injured Reserve.
LB Christian Elliss - Officially Re-Signed | Press Release | Bio
DEPARTURES
QB Jacoby Brissett - Signed with Cardinals
DT Daniel Ekuale - Signed with Steelers
DT Davon Godchaux - Traded to Saints
CB Jonathan Jones - Signed with Commanders
K Joey Slye - Signed with Titans
DE Deatrich Wise - Signed with Commanders
QB Joe Milton III - Traded to the Cowboys
PATRIOTS FREE AGENTS LIST
(Prior to start of free agency)
Restricted Free Agents: CB Alex Austin (exclusive rights), CB Miles Battle, C Ben Brown (exclusive rights), OL Lester Cotton, LB Christian Elliss, OT Demontrey Jacobs (exclusive rights), WR JaQuae Jackson (exclusive rights), DE Truman Jones, DT Jeremiah Pharms (exclusive rights), LB Monty Rice
Unrestricted Free Agents: QB Jacoby Brissett, DT Daniel Ekuale, RB JaMycal Hasty, S Jaylinn Hawkins, TE Austin Hooper, CB Jonathan Jones, K Joey Slye, DE Deatrich Wise Jr., DE Oshane Ximines
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
