Patriots Free Agency Day 2 Preview: Starting Tackle, No. 1 Receiver Still Top Needs

The New England Patriots continue their search to fill several prominent positions of need heading into the 2023 NFL year.

FOXBORO — With less than one day remaining until the official start of the 2023 NFL year, the New England Patriots are easing their way into the open market. 

New England made a pair of notable moves on Monday, the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period. The team retained the services of starting defensive back Jonathan Jones on a two-year, $19 million deal, while trading talented, yet ill-fitted tight end Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons. 

Still, the Pats  seemingly lacked the blockbuster move to catapult them to the top of the media’s list of ‘Day One Winners.’ 

With an estimated $28.4 million in available cap space, New England enters ‘Day Two’ with the chance to significantly improve their roster. 

As the proverbial wish lists of all 32 teams continue to fluctuate as much as the late-winter weather of New England, here are a few items to watch in the coming hours. 

Patriots Biggest Need Remains Unfilled

As the first wave of free agent dominos began to unofficially fall on Monday, New England is still in position to make significant improvements to their roster. Prominent options still remain at arguably the Patriots biggest void. Despite the mega deals to be signed by offensive tackles Jawaan Taylor (four-years, $80 million with the Kansas City Chiefs) and Mike McGlinchey (five-years, $87.5 million from the Denver Broncos), free agent options such as Orlando Brown and Kaleb McGary remain available. 

Still, their services will not come cheap — with Brown’s deal expected to exceed that of Taylor and McGlinchey. 

Per multiple reports, the Patriots were competing to sign former Philadelphia Eagles tackle Andre Dillard. However, the 27-year-old is reportedly signing a three-year, $29 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. 

If the Patriots are seeing a free agent option in that price range, it may be a indication that the team plans to secure a serviceable veteran reserve, while addressing the future of the position in either the first or second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Familiar Face at Wideout? 

With wide receiver Jakobi Meyers having signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, New England may be taking a more tepid approach to filling the position. In fact, they may be looking to an ex-Patriots. According to a Monday afternoon ESPN report, New England has shown interest in free agent Phillip Dorsett. 

Following brief stints with the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars after the 2019 campaign. The 30-year-old caught 20 passes for 257 yards and one touchdown this season.

Dorsett came to the Patriots in the September 2017 trade which sent quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the Indianapolis Colts. The 5-10, 192-pound receiver had 12 catches for 194 yards in his first season with the Patriots, then followed it up in 2018 with 32 receptions for 290 yards and three touchdowns. In 45 games for the Patriots, Dorsett racked up 73 catches for 881 yards and eight touchdowns from 2017-2019 — earning a championship ring (Super Bowl LIII) in the process. 

The Patriots most-heavily relied on Dorsett early in the 2018 season, when Julian Edelman was serving a four-game NFL suspension. Once Edelman returned and receiver Josh Gordon was acquired in a mid-September trade, Dorsett's playing time diminished, but he still showed a knack for catching most everything thrown in his direction. If he can rekindle some of his previous success in New England, Dorsett could be a solid reserve option for the Pats in 2023. 

The report indicates that the Las Vegas Raiders are showing interest in Dorsett, as well.

Jalen Mills: Safety First? 

There are few, if any, teams that value versatility in the defensive backfield more than the Patriots. As such, a player who is capable of aligning at both cornerback and safety is of particular value — especially in the wake of team captain Devin McCourty’s retirement. 

In fact, Patriots defensive back Jalen Mills reminded the masses on Monday that he is, in fact, a natural safety.  

Y’all know I really play safety right?.

— Jalen Mills (@greengoblin) March 13, 2023

When the Patriots signed Mills to a four-year, $24 million deal in the 2021 offseason, his prowess was largely based on his performance at safety. Mills accounted for 74 total tackles in 2020, with 1.5 sacks and an interception in 1013 snaps at the position for the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Though he has been a solid option for the Pats as a perimeter corner over the past two seasons, a positional change for Mills certainly remains possible for 2023. 

Re-Signing of Carl Davis is Sneaky Good

Though it may have flown largely under the radar, the Pats retention of Davis has the chance to pay dividends. The 6-5, 320-pound Iowa product continued to prove his value within the system as a two-gapping interior defensive lineman. Besides providing size and strength up front, he also became a disruptive presence when defending the outside zone. When properly in position, he has the ability to defend against a double team, allowing the Pats’ defensive ends and edge rushers to flow freely to the ball. While it is fair to note that New England would like for him to show more consistency in doing so, his rotational versatility was enough to keep him in the fold on a low-risk pact for one year.

During his three years in New England, Davis has played in 36 games, making seven starts. He has earned 33 total tackles (three for loss), two sacks, two quarterback hits and a fumble recovery.

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