As the Patriots prepare for the 2026 offseason, they face limited urgent needs among their starting lineup from the 2025 season when they reached the Super Bowl. Most key players are expected to return, with the exception of edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson and safety Jaylinn Hawkins, who are set to enter free agency. The availability of Hawkins, whom the team hopes to bring back, plays a major role in determining their safety position needs. If he departs, defensive backfield reinforcements will become a top priority.
Assessing the Patriots’ Safety Position Ahead of Free Agency
According to sources close to the team, the Patriots view this year’s free-agent safety class as exceptionally deep. Under head coach Mike Vrabel and his defensive staff, including assistants Zak Kuhr, Terrell Williams, and Scott Booker, the team favors safeties who can cover broad areas rather than strict free or strong safety roles. Their preferred defensive scheme utilizes versatile safeties positioned on either side of the field instead of traditional single roles. Last season’s duo of Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson fit this mold well, and re-signing Hawkins would address immediate depth with familiarity. However, the team could also seek to enhance the safety position with a younger player who offers greater upside.
Top Free Agent Safeties Under Patriotic Consideration
The following players represent the leading candidates for the Patriots in free agency, with contract value estimates sourced from Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Bryan Cook: Premier Safety Prospect
Height/Weight: 6-1, 206 lbs | Age: 26 | Projected Contract: $12 million per year
Though not a household name, Bryan Cook is arguably the most coveted safety in this year’s free-agent pool. The former second-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 out of Cincinnati, Cook has been instrumental in the Chiefs’ success, including two Super Bowl titles. Last season, he posted a breakout campaign and earned an impressive 83.5 PFF grade. Over 62 games, including 47 starts, Cook has accumulated three interceptions, 238 tackles, four tackles for loss, and 15 pass breakups. His ability to operate primarily as a deep safety aligns with the Patriots’ defensive philosophy.
Katelyn Bryant: Seattle’s Versatile Defensive Back
Height/Weight: 6-1, 193 lbs | Age: 26 | Projected Contract: $10 million per year
Converted from cornerback to safety, Bryant has been an integral part of the Seattle Seahawks roster, contributing to their Super Bowl LX victory over the Patriots. Drafted in the fourth round in 2022, also from Cincinnati, Bryant has started 26 of 32 games as a safety while registering notable stats including seven interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and 139 tackles. He consistently earned PFF grades above 70 and has gained valuable experience defending deep zones.
Budda Thompson: Reliable Veteran from Arizona
Height/Weight: 5-11, 190 lbs | Age: 27 | Projected Contract: $10 million per year
Thompson is a supplemental fifth-round selection from Washington State who has spent his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals. Now entering his third NFL contract, previously signing a three-year $36 million agreement in 2022, Thompson is noted for his versatility. He has never scored below a 65 PFF grade since his rookie campaign and boasts nine interceptions, 37 pass breakups, 578 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits in 99 games with 87 starts.
Kendall Curl: Promising Talent with Rams Connection
Height/Weight: 6-2, 207 lbs | Age: 26 | Projected Contract: $9 million per year
Patriots vice president of football operations John Streicher has firsthand knowledge of Curl’s abilities, having worked with the player during the 2024 season with the Rams. Curl, originally a seventh-round draft pick out of Arkansas by Washington in 2020, produced an efficient 2025 season featuring two interceptions, five pass breakups, two sacks, and 122 tackles, earning a 77.8 PFF grade. His physical presence and multi-faceted skill set provide appealing options for the Patriots’ defensive backfield.
Minkah Byard: Experienced Leader with Vrabel History
Height/Weight: 5-11, 218 lbs | Age: 32 | Projected Contract: $9 million per year
Byard has been a standout throughout his career, earning three first-team All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl appearances since entering the NFL in 2016. Drafted by the Tennessee Titans from Middle Tennessee, he has past experience working with Mike Vrabel and defensive staff from 2018 to 2023 before brief stints with the Eagles and Bears. Despite being older than this group, his recent performance includes a first-team All-Pro season with seven interceptions, and a reunion with Vrabel could be mutually beneficial through a short-term contract.
Jaylinn Hawkins: Patriots’ Current Starter Looking to Return
Height/Weight: 6-1, 208 lbs | Age: 28 | Projected Contract: $6 million per year
Hawkins enjoyed a breakout year as a starter for New England in 2025, starting 15 games and registering four interceptions, six pass breakups, a forced fumble, and 1.5 sacks. Though some NFL evaluators doubt his consistency as a starting defender, Hawkins has expressed his desire to remain with the Patriots beyond Super Bowl LX. The team could likely secure his services on a cost-effective deal, continuing a successful partnership.
Other Free Agent Safeties of Interest
Additional players in the pool who could serve as valuable depth or competition for the Patriots include:
Alex Blankenship (Height/Weight: 6-1, 190 lbs | Age: 25 | Projected Contract: $5 million per year) came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and experienced a significant dip in performance with the Eagles in 2025, earning a 42.6 PFF grade. Earlier seasons showed promise with improved grades, so a fresh environment with New England might ignite a resurgence.
Jalen Belton (Height/Weight: 5-11, 200 lbs | Age: 30 | Projected Contract: $4 million per year) was a fourth-round draft pick in 2022 by the Giants and has divided his time between free safety and playing near the line of scrimmage. His career stats include six interceptions, 16 pass breakups, and four forced fumbles across four seasons.
Craig Woodson (Height/Weight: 5-11, 200 lbs | Age: 30) offers experience and flexibility, having played for multiple NFL teams after being drafted in the sixth round in 2017 out of Louisiana Tech. During the 2025 season, he started 10 games and compiled two interceptions, three pass breakups, one sack, and 39 tackles. If signed, he could challenge Dell Pettus for the third safety spot on the Patriots roster.
Implications for the Patriots’ Defensive Backfield Going Forward
The Patriots enter free agency with a unique opportunity to strengthen their safety position, whether by retaining Jaylinn Hawkins or pursuing highly valued alternatives like Bryan Cook or Minkah Byard. With the coaching staff’s preference for flexible safeties who can cover wide field areas, they are likely to focus on players with range and versatility. The combination of experience, youth, and proven production available in this class gives New England options to balance continuity with potential upgrades.
How the Patriots approach their safety needs will influence their defensive schemes and depth chart stability as they aim to build on their recent Super Bowl run. Whether they opt to invest heavily in a marquee signing or rely on internal competition and strategic signings, this offseason will be critical in shaping New England’s defense for the coming years.
