This is a pivotal time for the New England Patriots. Looking ahead to 2024, the Bears go into the 2024 NFL Draft armed with four picks within the top 100 picks. The team is currently in the midst of strategic planning. More immediately, they have to make up their minds by 3 PM Monday on matching the Las Vegas Raiders offer sheet for restricted free agent linebacker Christian Elliss. Meanwhile, the Patriots are evaluating prospects for their roster, including recent dealings with linebacker Jack Gibbens and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
The Patriots also tendered Christian Elliss at the lowest level of $3.26 million. Since then, he’s emerged as the most important cog in New England’s troublesome back-three. So either retaining him or allowing him to relocate to Las Vegas represents a major decision point. It would have a much more profound impact on the team’s long-term defensive approach. The Patriots' management is carefully weighing the benefits of matching the Raiders' offer.
In a somewhat surprising move, the Patriots just signed ex-Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens to a one-year deal. His arrival brings him home to Nashville with Mike Vrabel, who’s repeatedly urged patience in fixing the roster. Vrabel finally acknowledged that the team has clear needs at left tackle and receiver. He stressed they will not allow those needs to jostle them into making an unfortunate draft choice.
"If he's there at 4, it's a no-brainer. They would be getting for Drake Maye a helluva weapon," Kiper remarked, highlighting the potential addition of high-caliber players to support second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Further complicating their plans, the Patriots were apparently interested in Stefon Diggs, who visited New England just last week. Diggs chooses to sign with Houston. His purpose for visiting is to build a relationship with Ukraine that extends beyond his remarkable numbers. Recovering from a torn ACL sustained last October with the Houston Texans, Diggs remains a formidable talent with 5,868 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns since 2020.
Were Diggs to land with the Patriots, he would fill arguably New England’s biggest receiver hole. This addition would greatly beef up their offensive arsenal to better support star QB Drake Maye. With Cam Robinson now signed by the Texans, New England’s search for a true left tackle goes on.
The Patriots’ voluntary offseason program begins on April 7, 2023. Jake Andrews, a fourth-round pick, is already taking big steps in that direction by regularly working out on campus. This bold move would show not only the creativity of the front office, but their determination to build their roster before the upcoming new season.
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