3 Contracts Patriots Must Prioritize in 2024 Offseason

Parts of the New England Patriots roster should look completely different by Week 1 of the 2024 season.

The Patriots must overhaul certain parts of the depth chart in order for Jerod Mayo to have success in his first year as head coach.

New England must also try to hold to a few veteran players set to hit free agency.

A strong foundation must be in place for whomever starts at quarterback next season and that starts with bringing back some key pieces of the offensive line.

The Patriots will have to prioritize other free agents as well, but first, they must do their best to retain some important players.

Mike Onwenu

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 29: New England Patriots guard Mike Onwenu (71) adjusts to block a rushing defensive player during the game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Re-signing Mike Onwenu has to be New England's No. 1 priority in free agency.

The 26-year-old offensive lineman has been a rock in the middle of the interior during his time in New England and he would be a vital piece to protecting the starting quarterback in 2024 and beyond.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler made it seem like the Patriots have no chance in bringing back the guard during his offseason preview.

"Many teams view Onwenu as the top offensive lineman in free agency because of his physicality, quickness and ability to play guard or tackle. The Patriots essentially know Onwenu isn't coming back, and he will have high bidders," Fowler wrote.

The Patriots at least have to make the best offer possible to Onwenu to make him think about turning down big-money deals elsewhere.

Myles Bryant

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 07: Myles Bryant #27 of the New England Patriots looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Patriots have to take the same approach with Myles Bryant as they should with Onwenu.

The AFC East franchise should make a competitive offer to retain the cornerback for at least another few years.

New England needs to retain at least one of its top free agents to avoid a full-blown roster rebuild.

The Patriots already have to re-work the offensive skill positions, and the money allocated to that rebuild will take up some cash allotted to land a replacement for Bryant.

Bryant's potential return would at least provide some stability to a defensive unit that kept the Patriots in plenty of games in 2023.

Dalton Schultz

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 20: Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) makes a reception during the Houston Texans game versus the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoffs on January 20, 2024 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Patriots have options with how they want to re-work their offensive depth chart.

They could use the No. 3 overall pick on a new quarterback, likely Jayden Daniels, or on Marvin Harrison Jr., who could be the No. 1 wide out for a decade.

New England could look to the top free-agent tight ends to provide improvements outside of the draft.

Dalton Schultz is coming off a strong year with the Houston Texans, where he thrived with a young quarterback.

Schultz's veteran presence could help a new young quarterback settle into his time in the NFL.

He can't be the only new pass-catcher in Foxborough, but if he is brought in on a one-or-two-year deal, it could help with the transition to a new offense.