Five Deals We Would’ve Liked Patriots To Make During Tampering Period

The Patriots started off hot but the fired died down.

New England reportedly made eight signings before Day 1 of the legal tampering period concluded. The Patriots brought in at least five starters — Milton Williams, Carlton Davis, Robert Spillane, Morgan Moses and Harold Landry III — and added depth elsewhere. They showed aggressive for those they signed and didn’t ultimately land, too.

It was a solid start before a lackluster 24 hours closed the legal tampering period. With that, here are five deals we would’ve liked to see the Patriots make during the unofficial start to free agency:

Ronnie Stanley, Ravens
Reported deal: Three years, $60 million
The Patriots never got the chance to legally tamper with Stanley, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t get to do so illegally. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer on Tuesday reported the Patriots were among the teams to illegally tamper with Stanley before the window opened Monday. In doing so, New England made a “conceptual” offer in the neighborhood of $24 million per year. That’s a respectable pitch to the 31-year-old left tackle. Stanley, though, opted to stay with the Ravens despite bigger offers from the Patriots and Commanders. It would’ve been nice to have Stanley protecting Drake Maye’s blindside.

Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
Reported deal: Three years, $66 million ($44 guaranteed)
You can’t make free agents leave where they’re comfortable, especially when there’s a level of uncertainty elsewhere. That proved to be the case with Godwin, who admitted he was close to leaving Tampa Bay after being offered more money by a different team. Godwin didn’t confirm whether or not the Patriots were that team, but multiple reports indicated the Patriots offered more than the Buccaneers. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Godwin left some $20 million on the table in order to re-sign in Tampa Bay. Even on an overpay $28 million AAV, it would’ve been a major signing for the receiver-needy Patriots. However, Patriots fans were left with another respectable pursuit.

Darius Slayton, Giants
Reported deal: Three years, $36 million
The Patriots added a different depth receiver by reportedly agreeing to terms with Mack Hollins. Slayton was more expensive than Hollins (two years, $8 million), but still was more than affordable on a $12 million AAV. The 6-foot-4, 221-pound Hollins had a career year with Josh McDaniels in 2022 (57 catches, 690 yards). Slayton, however, exceeded 700 yards in four of his six career seasons. They’re different players, but Slayton still felt like a dynamic fit for Maye. Of course, this would be easier to swallow if Cooper Kupp happens to land in Foxboro, Mass.

Cam Robinson, UFA
Reported deal: NA
Robinson went through the legal tampering period without landing a deal. It was a surprise to see the Patriots not address their biggest need, as discussed on NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast, despite what it probably would’ve cost them. For example, left tackle Dan Moore Jr. received a four-year, $82 million deal with $50 million guaranteed. That’s glaring for a player of Moore’s caliber. Just as glaring, however, is New England’s left edge. Reports have surfaced the Patriots might be concerned with Robinson’s long-term buy-in. A way to handle that uncertainty? A short-term, incentive-laden deal. The Patriots would be wise to get it done.

DeAndre Hopkins, Ravens
Reported deal: One year, $5 million
Obviously Hopkins is past his prime. But a one-year, $5 million deal in a world where the Patriots paid Hollins $4 million AAV? In a world where Tutu Atwell, Dyami Brown and Mike Williams make double that? This writer would’ve signed up, but it’s fair to question if Hopkins would have.