FB Reggie Gilliam: A-
3 Years, $10.8 million
Jack Westover was the first Patriots fullback in history to go the entire regular season without a single yard of offense. While he was re-signed, a transition back to tight end is likely in the cards with Gilliam now on the roster. The former Toledo Rocket was instrumental in James Cook’s success in 2025, and the Patriots will be looking for him to have that type of impact on a backfield led by TreVeyon Henderson, who totaled 66 yards on the ground in the playoffs.
TE Julian Hill: D-
3 Years, $15 million
The Patriots ran 13 personnel (2 TE and a FB) at a higher rate than any other team in 2025, so upgrading over Austin Hooper seemed like an obvious decision if they wanted to continue that trend in ‘26. Hill, while younger, isn’t an upgrade. He has 298 receiving yards, no touchdowns and two fumbles in three years. He’s a sound blocker, but $5 million yearly is a high price for an extra offensive lineman. With players like David Njoku, Cade Otton and Chig Okonkwo all hitting the open market, the Patriots paid a high price for a player who’s yet to be productive in the NFL.
WR Romeo Doubs: C
4 Years, $68 million
Similar to my thoughts on the signing of Mack Hollins last year before Stefon Diggs was signed, I like the player, but not as an answer to the receiver problem. $17 million per season is about the going rate for receivers of Doubs’ quality nowadays, especially given Jalen Nailor’s $35 million deal. If the Patriots can find a way to land A.J. Brown after the draft, and Doubs becomes the WR2, I could confidently bump this grade up. I don’t have a problem with the contract or the player, but he’s yet to show true WR1 ability.
OG Alijah Vera-Tucker: A+
3 Years, $42 million
Vera-Tucker, without a doubt, is one of the best guards in football when healthy. That last caveat, however, has been a major asterisk since he entered the league as the No. 14 pick in 2021. He’s played in only 43 of 85 possible games in his career and missed the entirety of last year with a torn tricep. His sub-2% pressure rate allowed in 2024 would have been the best among all guards in 2025, and given his incentive-laden contract, AVT could be a major factor in improving an offensive line that allowed 21 sacks in four playoff games.
ED Dre’Mont Jones: C-
3 years, $36.5 million
285-pound Denico Autry thrived under Vrabel in Tennessee as a massive edge defender, and it seems the coach of the year is looking for a similar product in Jones. K’Lavon Chaisson was a more productive pass rusher last year, but his missed tackle rate eclipsed 40%, a dismal figure. Jones was under 10% in 2025. Considering his career high 7 sacks with below average defensive tackle play, Jones could breakout in 2026. Nonetheless, Chaisson inked a deal worth less than Jones, and as mentioned, was a more productive pass rusher last season. Re-signing Chaisson and further reinforcing the edge through investing a top-64 pick in the draft at the position would have been my course of action rather than signing a player who turns 30 during the season to a 3-year deal.
LB K.J. Britt: D
1 Year, $1.4 million
Britt is primarily a special teamer but expecting him to replace Jack Gibbens when Gibbens left for under $4 million per season seems unnecessary. Similar to Doubs, I don’t mind the player, but expecting him to play a legitimate defensive role, which he’s slated to do as of now, is foolish.
CB Kindle Vildor: B-
1 Year, Unknown (likely around $1-2 million)
Vildor is an experienced cornerback who is the clear cut CB4 as things stand, a position that was under scrutiny from Wilker’s Weekly last season. I’m not sure he’s a massive upgrade over Charles Woods, but he played for Vrabel’s Tennessee in 2023. Over the last two years, quarterbacks are 28/46 with two touchdowns and an interception when targeting him
S Kevin Byard: A+
1 Year, $9 million
As disappointed as I was with the Patriots allowing Jaylinn Hawkins to walk, landing last year’s interceptions leader and three-time All-Pro isn’t a bad consolation prize. While he’ll turn 33 before the season, Byard is one of the best players Mike Vrabel coached, as the two were in Tennessee together until Vrabel’s firing in 2023. While it’s a short-term fix to the safety position, a defensive backfield of Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Craig Woodson and now Byard, is one of, if not the best, in football.
S Mike Brown: C-
1 Year, $1.3 million
Brown played four defensive snaps in 2025 and was active for only three games after dealing with knee and ankle injuries. He did however see extensive time in 2024, when he played 384 snaps. He played under Vrabel in 2023. The team needs depth behind Byard and Woodson but expecting Mike Brown to fill that seems asinine barring a sudden breakout.