The Patriots have several areas across their depth chart that they need to shore up this offseason. 

And with New England entering this offseason with a league-best $119 million in cap space, Eliot Wolf and the rest of the team’s top brass should have plenty of resources on hand to bolster this roster. 

Even though New England’s top priorities likely revolve around both offensive tackle and wide receiver, the Patriots are also in desperate need of some proven playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. 

It just so happens that several potential free-agent targets for New England dominated for the Eagles in their blowout win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX:

Jalen Hurts might have taken home Super Bowl MVP honors on Sunday, but the case can be made that Sweat was the most impactful player on the field in New Orleans. 

Sweat was already expected to hit free agency as the most coveted pass rusher on the market. But his stock is set to soar after he completely dismantled Kansas City’s offense by routinely putting Patrick Mahomes under duress. 

The 27-year-old veteran finished the game with six tackles (including two for a loss), 2.5 sacks, and three quarterback hits. 

Even in plays where he didn’t get to Mahomes, Sweat made an impact. Regularly matched up against Joe Thuney, Sweat forced a hurried pass from Mahomes after pushing Thuney into him in the end zone — with that ill-timed throw picked off by Eagles rookie Cooper DeJean for a pick-six in the second quarter.

Sweat, who earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021, has recorded at least six sacks in each of the last five seasons. 

The Patriots need to add an impactful pass rusher this spring, considering that New England closed out the 2024 season with just 28 sacks — the fewest among NFL teams this year. 

If New England isn’t able to land a blue-chip pass rusher like Abdul Carter in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Patriots could pivot and open their checkbook for a proven commodity like Sweat. 

If Mike Vrabel is looking to bring in a versatile linebacker with a knack for delivering momentum-shifting plays, Zach Baun stands as the obvious target — with the 28-year-old veteran expected to land a hefty contract in the coming months.

One of the top value signings in recent memory, Baun signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Eagles in March 2024 after earning limited reps with the Saints from 2020-23.

Much like Vrabel’s career trajectory after signing with New England, Baun immediately developed into a playmaking force for Philly — earning First Team All-Pro honors as a key cog on the Eagles’ defense.

Baun led the way for the Eagles this season with 152 total tackles — while also adding 2.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 2.5 sacks, and one interception. 

The 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist saved his best for the playoffs, recording four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumble recoveries) over three games — including a clutch interception against Mahomes in the Super Bowl that eventually led to an A.J. Brown touchdown. 

The Patriots should benefit from the return of a run-stopping linebacker like Ja’Whaun Bentley after the defensive captain missed most of the 2024 season due to injury.

But as Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams look to augment New England’s defense, a roster short on playmakers could use a player like Baun. 

Beyond the need for a pass-rusher, the Patriots could also use more pressure from the interior defensive line — especially with the status of Christian Barmore still unclear due to recurring symptoms from his blood-clotting issues. 

Investing in defensive tackles may not steal many headlines, but Williams played an essential role in the Eagles’ ability to pressure Mahomes without blitzing the skilled quarterback. 

Just 25 years old, Williams recorded 24 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during regular-season action — with his 40 pressures standing as the 19th-best mark among defensive linemen in 2024, per PFF.

But Williams saved his best game for Super Bowl LIX, sacking Mahomes twice while also forcing and recovering a fumble against the KC quarterback in the lopsided win. 

Even if Barmore is given the green light to resume play in 2025, signing Williams could give the Patriots an impressive young core of defensive linemen between him, Barmore, and Keion White.