Six Potential Patriots Targets To Watch In AFC, NFC Championship

The Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders will compete for a spot in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday.

The Patriots will be watching from the couch.

New England has a long way to go before it becomes a conference championship contender, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t value in keeping an eye on this season’s penultimate games. Philly can’t hold onto every member of that dominant defense. Buffalo’s playing style exemplifies what other teams are trying to emulate. Kansas City is the standard-bearer. Washington just accomplished exactly what is trying to be done down at One Patriot Place.

Eliot Wolf, Ryan Cowden and Mike Vrabel know how valuable the people competing on Sunday are to their team’s success, and very well could target some (which we’ve listed) to once again establish a winning culture in Foxboro, Mass:

LB Zack Baun, Philadelphia

Baun, 28, is a tremendous example of someone who maximized their value on a prove-it deal, turning in an All-Pro season out of legitimately nowhere. Philadelphia likely won’t be able to pay him the money he’s now worth, though, as the two following entries on this list are also hitting the open market and will command big-money contracts.

DL Milton Williams, Philadelphia

Williams, 25, is another guy who is about to get paid. The Eagles have built an absolute defensive line factory, and no one has benefitted more from it than this guy. The Patriots would have to spend big to land this guy, but who wouldn’t want two superstars on the interior of your defensive line?

EDGE Josh Sweat, Philadelphia

Sweat, 27, has been relatively up and down when it comes to production, but there’s no doubt he’d be a major upgrade on the edge. The Patriots need to add a true pass-rush option, as it would allow for guys like Keion White, Anfernee Jennings and Davon Godchaux to play in more advantageous spots.

QB Marcus Mariota, Washington

Mariota, 31, isn’t going to be an easy guy to watch (you know, that whole backup thing) but he’s the most intriguing guy on the roster for our purposes. New England likely will target a veteran quarterback to work with Drake Maye and Joe Milton III, and Mariota feels like one with the most transferable skills.

FB Reggie Gilliam, Buffalo

Gilliam, 27, is a fullback. Josh McDaniels uses fullbacks.

OL Trey Smith, Kansas City

Smith, 25, is just weeks away from becoming one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in football, and will be the most popular name floated during this free agency cycle. New England should enter the free-agent process looking to explore all avenues as it relates to upgrading the offensive line, even if that means breaking the bank on a guard.