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3 Free Agents Patriots Should Sign to Complete Offseason

By Scott Rogust

The Patriots would be wise to add these three veterans off the bargain bin.
The Patriots would be wise to add these three veterans off the bargain bin. / Rob Carr/Getty Images

The New England Patriots have entered the next phase of "Life Without Tom Brady." Even though they brought in a plethora of rookie talent in the NFL Draft, they still have some glaring needs they can address via free agency, but their main deterrent is their extreme lack of cap space. No need to fret, though, as you can find some quality options in the bargain bin!

Here are three players the Patriots can sign to complete their offseason and exceed expectations in the 2020 season.

3. Charles Clay, TE

The Patriots could use a veteran tight end on their roster.
The Patriots could use a veteran tight end on their roster. / Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

The Patriots learned just how difficult it was to replace Rob Gronkowski in 2019. The Ben Watson experiment failed miserably, resulting in the team using a revolving door of tight ends last season. While the team did draft Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene in the NFL Draft, it wouldn't hurt to add a veteran to the depth chart. Considering their lack of available spending money, Charles Clay is the best option on the lower tier of available tight ends. Clay isn't a difference maker, but he makes up for it in consistency. How so? He's never missed more than three games in a season. We're sure the Patriots will sign all the way up for that.

2. Alec Ogletree, LB

Alec Ogletree could seriously revive his career by playing for Bill Belichick.
Alec Ogletree could seriously revive his career by playing for Bill Belichick. / Dylan Buell/Getty Images

If Bill Belichick has shown us anything in two decades of dominance, it's that you can never have too many defensive players. More importantly, he's not afraid to take a chance on a big-name player who never caught on with their previous team. They can fulfill their quota by signing linebacker Alec Ogletree, who spent the past two seasons with the New York Giants. Ogletree struggled mightily in coverage, but makes up for it with his propensity to force turnovers. Ogletree has to face the reality that he's not going to make big money anymore, but he could play for cheap and sit under Belichick's defensive learning tree.

1. Chris Hogan, WR

If the Patriots want Jarrett Stidham to succeed, it wouldn't hurt to add a receiver that's familiar with Josh McDaniels' offense.
If the Patriots want Jarrett Stidham to succeed, it wouldn't hurt to add a receiver that's familiar with Josh McDaniels' offense. / Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Reunited and it feels so good! It's no secret that the Patriots could use some reinforcements at the wide receiver position. They have a sure thing in a healthy Julian Edelman, but they have to bank on N'Keal Harry, Mohamed Sanu, Marqise Lee, and Damiere Byrd. That's not ideal, especially with the team expected to throw the inexperienced Jarrett Stidham under center. New England could make up for it by re-signing Chris Hogan, who had his best seasons under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. From 2016-18, Hogan recorded 107 receptions for 1,651 yards and 12 touchdowns. The readjustment period would be short for Hogan, which could greatly benefit not just Stidham, but the Patriots offense as a whole.