Patriots Focused on Edge Rusher, Stefon Diggs' Future in Offseason

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The New England Patriots are prioritizing adding an edge rusher this offseason, whether through free agency or the draft, as they look to bolster their pass rush. The team is also facing a decision on the future of wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who has a hefty $26.5 million cap hit for 2023. Diggs' status remains uncertain, with the Patriots potentially looking to restructure his deal or move on. The team is also keeping an eye on potential trade targets like A.J. Brown and is looking to rebuild the tight end depth chart behind Hunter Henry.

Why it matters

The Patriots' focus on upgrading the edge rusher position and addressing Diggs' contract situation are crucial offseason priorities as the team looks to build on its turnaround 2022 season. Improving the pass rush is a top need, while Diggs' future could have major salary cap implications. How the Patriots handle these key decisions will shape the direction of the team heading into the 2023 campaign.

The details

The Patriots view edge rusher as their top need this offseason, with Executive VP Eliot Wolf stating it is "obviously an area of need" for the team. They are looking for players with traits like violence, first-step explosiveness, and pass rush disruption, similar to the prototypes they signed last year in Harold Landry and K'Lavon Chaisson. In free agency, the Patriots could look to upgrade from Chaisson, with names like Jaelen Phillips, Boye Mafe, and Odafe Oweh as potential targets. In the draft, Missouri's Zion Young, Texas A&M's Cashius Howell, and UCF's Malachi Lawrence are players that fit the Patriots' mold. As for Stefon Diggs, the Patriots must decide whether to keep the star receiver at his $26.5 million cap hit or potentially move on. Diggs enjoyed a strong 2022 season, but his age, declining playoff production, and an ongoing legal issue complicate the situation. The Patriots could look to restructure Diggs' deal to keep him, but a release that frees up over $16 million in cap space is also on the table.

• Stefon Diggs' additional $6 million becomes guaranteed on March 13.
• The NFL's legal tampering period opens on Monday, March 9.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Patriots will continue to work on their free agency plans as the legal tampering window opens on March 9, including discussions with their internal free agents and potential difficult decisions on players already on the roster.