FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Ranking needs: The NFL's legal negotiating period for free agency begins Monday at noon ET, giving the Patriots an opportunity to begin filling critical needs across a roster badly in need of a boost.
With a league-high $129 million in salary cap space, per Roster Management System, they have flexibility to maneuver and cash to spend. That sets up a scenario where this could play out similar to 2021, when the organization was active at the top of the market in signing Matthew Judon, Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith and Davon Godchaux to lucrative deals.