Three Patriots who may not be back in 2023

The New England Patriots have the fifth-most cap space in the NFL ($31,821,222). They will likely look far down the roster for potential cuts due to guarantees and restructures of some of their top players. Here are players they could part with for draft compensation or additional cap relief. 

Kendrick Bourne, WR 

In 2021, his first season as a Patriot after signing in free agency, Bourne had career bests in receiving yards (800), yards per target (11.4) and even rushing yards (125). While still efficient, he had a diminished role in the offense in 2022, posting 35 catches for 434 yards and one touchdown. 

Per OverTheCap.com, Bourne has a $6,872,550 cap number in 2023; New England would save $5,455,882 against the cap if they cut or traded him. 

Bourne remains a respectable player on a fair contract. He could fill a larger role in the offense, especially if receiver Jakobi Meyers leaves in free agency. But other teams reportedly were interested in him at the 2022 trade deadline, so he may be an asset New England moves.

Jalen Mills, CB 

Mills has received praise from head coach Bill Belichick for his versatility. He allowed a lower passer rating in 2022 (83.4) than in 2021 (111.4), a season in which he gave up seven touchdowns, per Pro Football Reference. 

But Mills turns 29 in April and carries a $6,213,235 cap hit in 2023. New England would save $4,963,235 on the cap if it cuts or trades him, per OverTheCap.com. 

The Patriots have the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and could easily find a replacement for Mills.

Per Pro Football Focus, the cornerback class is one of the "deepest in recent memory." Among the top CBs are Devon Witherspoon (Illinois), Christian Gonzalez (Oregon) and Cam Smith (South Carolina). 

Hunter Henry, tight end

Henry, New England's best tight end, has a $15.5 million cap number in 2023. The Patriots would realize $10,500,000 in cap savings if they cut or trade him, per OverTheCap.com.

Henry caught 41 passes for 509 yards and two touchdowns in 2022, one year after catching nine touchdown passes. During his two seasons in New England, Henry has been a reliable receiving option. 

But Henry, who's heading into the final year of his deal, would have value to a contending team via trade. The Patriots could take advantage of the tight end depth in the upcoming NFL Draft. 

Per Pro Football Focus, the top tight end is Notre Dame's Michael Mayer, a probable high first-rounder, but prospects Luke Musgrave (Oregon State), Dalton Kincaid (Utah) and Darnell Washington (Georgia) could be available on Day 2.