Following many uneventful offseasons in New England, Bill Bellicheck and the Patriots have been the most aggressive team this offseason by far. Due to their past success, the Patriots have not needed to make any drastic changes in previous offseasons. However, coming off of a 7-9 campaign last season, head coach and general manager Bill Bellicheck moved some money around and made some great strides to improve his roster. To start the offseason, Bellicheck re-signed quarterback Cam Newton to a 1-year deal worth up to 14 million dollars. New England also brought back left tackle Trent Brown in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. From there, The Patriots entered free agency with the most cap space in the NFL and managed to sign seven new players and re-sign two within the first day of free agency. Here is a look at some of the new faces that the Patriots brought in on the first day of free agency. Their first signing was former Tennessee Titans tight end, Jonnu Smith, to a four-year 50 million dollar deal. Smith is a vertical threat with blocking ability that fills a hole at a major position of need for the Patriots. Next, New England signed defensive lineman Davon Godchaux. Godchaux is a big-bodied defensive lineman that is a familiar face to Patriots fans. Godchaux played in the AFC East with the Miami Dolphins for the past four years, where he saw the Patriots twice per year. Next, was Linebacker Matthew Judon. As Hingham Middle Schooler Will Carr said, “Judon is easily the best player that the Patriots added”. Judon inked a four-year 56 million dollar deal with New England after lighting it up with over 30 sacks over the past four years that he spent with the Baltimore Ravens. The Patriots reinforced their secondary by signing defensive back Jalen Mills from the Philadelphia Eagles to a 4-year deal worth 24 million. Next, New England added a pair of wide receivers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. Both of them are tall, speedy, receivers who instantly become major weapons for quarterback Cam Newton. Lastly, the Patriots signed defensive lineman Henry Anderson, formerly of the New York Jets, to a two-year 11 million dollar deal. After these first-day signings, the Patriots also added Hunter Henry, Ted Karras, Kyle Van Noy, Montravius Adams, Raekwon McMillan, and others. HHS Sophomore Sam Peacock said, “The Patriots made some great moves and will be a playoff team next year.” I love how Bill Bellicheck is establishing a brand new culture in New England. The Patriots needed something like this to give them some momentum after legendary quarterback Tom Brady departed last year. With more key players opting back in, the new free agent signings, and much more additions to come, I expect the Patriots to be a competitive playoff team next year. The only position of need remains at the quarterback spot. While Cam Newton is a great leader and locker room presence, talent wins in the NFL. Newton does not have the talent that he once had and is no longer a starting-caliber quarterback. I would love to see New England add Mac Jones in the NFL Draft or, at least, find someone to compete with Cam for the starting spot. However, with the moves the Patriots have made this offseason, the future remains bright in New England.