The Patriots entered free agency with a number of needs they wanted to fill. Both sides of the ball. Across positions.
They understood there was a good chance they wouldn't fill them all. But with so many needs, it allowed them to be flexible in their spending. It allowed them to pivot.
Miss out on a wide receiver? Go for a cornerback. No left tackle? Bump up the offer to a defensive game-wrecker.
Go where the market takes you. Add good players. Period.
That's what the Patriots were able to do in wrestling interior defensive lineman Milton Williams -- one of the most coveted free agents at any position this offseason -- away from the Panthers, per a source.