Buyer beware: Five players Patriots may want to avoid this offseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots have the salary cap space to make big splashes this offseason, but some big-name players simply aren’t worth the risk.
Whether it be due to injury history, character concerns, age, cost, or all of the above, there are certain players the Patriots should pass on even if they’d be obvious upgrades from a talent standpoint. Ideally, whoever New England targets this spring will be fairly durable, add to the positive culture that head coach Mike Vrabel has built, and not break the bank on the tail end of their career.
So, which big names fail to meet that criteria? Here are five standout players the Patriots should avoid signing or trading for this offseason.
Tyreek Hill, WR
In a vacuum, Hill is a great fit for the Patriots. The speedy wideout would pair well with quarterback Drake Maye, who was arguably the best deep-ball thrower in the NFL last season. At full strength, he’d be an elite WR1 for New England.
But heading into 2026, Hill isn’t worth the headache. He’s entering his age-32 season and coming off a dislocated knee and torn ACL that he suffered in Week 4 of the 2025 campaign. There are also obvious character concerns, as Hill has had several run-ins with the law and was recently accused of domestic violence by his estranged wife.
Even if Hill can still play at an All-Pro level, the Patriots should look elsewhere for their next No. 1 receiver. Head coach Mike Vrabel is a culture builder, and adding Hill to the locker room would do more harm than good to the positive culture Vrabel brought to Foxboro in 2025.
A.J. Brown, WR
Kevin Sabitus/Getty ImagesBrown remains one of the NFL’s most talented wideouts, but 2025 was a year the three-time Pro Bowler would like to forget. He grew frustrated with his usage in the Philadelphia Eagles offense, and that frustration boiled over into a rant on a livestream in which he told his fantasy football owners to “get rid” of him. He also called the situation in Philly a “s–t show,” and had to be separated from head coach Nick Sirianni during a heated exchange in the team’s playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
The 28-year-old finished the season with 78 catches on 121 targets for 1,003 yards (his lowest total since 2021) and seven touchdowns. While some may see Brown’s down year as a “buy low” opportunity, the Patriots should proceed with caution.
Brown’s frustration with Philly’s offense was a distraction throughout the 2025 season. For a Patriots team looking to make it back to the Super Bowl — just as the Eagles tried to do last year — the last thing they need is a wideout complaining about their usage.
Injury risk is another valid reason to pass on Brown. He had surgeries on both knees in 2021, more knee issues in 2023 and 2024, and a nagging hamstring injury in 2025.
Deebo Samuel, WR
Cooper Neill/Getty ImagesSamuel is one of the more gifted wideouts set to hit free agency, but he’s a high-risk, high-reward player at this stage of his career. He’s entering his age-30 season and, despite his versatility and elite yards-after-catch ability, isn’t worth the hefty price tag he’ll likely command on the open market.
Last season with the Washington Commanders, Samuel totaled 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns. While he was productive despite a tumultuous year for Washington, he no longer appears to be a true WR1. The Patriots should aim higher — and younger — for a wide receiver upgrade.
Trey Hendrickson, EDGE
USATSIHendrickson is the No. 1 edge rusher set to become a free agent this spring, and the Patriots certainly could use a pass-rush upgrade. That said, they may want to look elsewhere.
The Cincinnati Bengals standout is 31 years old and coming off an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. He underwent season-ending core muscle surgery after playing in only seven games.
Assuming he isn’t franchise tagged by Cincinnati, Hendrickson will be one of the most expensive players on the market. Perhaps he’d be worth every penny and return to 2023/2024 form, when he notched 17.5 sacks in back-to-back years, but signing him would be a high-risk move given his age and injury concerns.
Braden Smith, OT
USA TODAYS SportsIf the Patriots look to free agency for an offensive line upgrade this offseason, Braden Smith’s name will jump off the page. Smith has been one of the best all-around tackles over his eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, excelling in both run blocking and pass protection.
That sounds like a great fit for a Patriots team that needs help in both categories, but the problem is that Smith has had trouble staying on the field in recent years. The soon-to-be 30-year-old has missed 16 games over the last three seasons due to various injuries, including a neck issue and a concussion.
New England should pivot to younger, more affordable options via free agency or the 2026 draft.