The acquisition of Brandin Cooks has made the New England Patriots better but that doesn't make them the favorites in the coming NFL season. The Patriots still have two matters to address and by successfully doing so, the team would be a well-oiled machine and will certainly be favored to repeat.

The two players who will either make or break the New England Patriots' chances for the coming season are Don't'a Hightower and Malcolm Butler. It is essential that the Patriots addresses the issues regarding the two players to ensure their chances to repeat. For Hightower, the Patriots need to re-sign the linebacker while they also need to ensure the return of cornerback Malcolm Butler.

Free agency news rarely features a story on Dont'a Hightower which is what linebacker has wanted. Hightower has been enjoying his time in free agency as he evaluates the options and financial potential of each option. Several teams are definitely giving the linebacker offers but the New England Patriots is his home and it would be surprising if he chose a different path.

Boston Herald reports that the Patriots have been involved in Hightower's free agency decision all this time. But if a team makes an offer for Hightower that the New England Patriots will not match, Hightower might be going elsewhere. It's all in the hands of the New England Patriots to make an offer that Don't'a Hightower will be willing to take.

The New England Patriots still have about $30 million in cap space. Dont'a Hightower is presumed to have a market value of $12-$13 million annually. So a $60 million 5-year contract wouldn't be a surprise.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots should also re-sign Malcom Butler but that would prove to be a difficult task this offseason. The Patriots have signed and traded for a lot of marquee players including a lucrative deal for Stephon Gilmore as reported by Fox Sports. Cap space may not be enough for Butler and the Patriots. The two should work things out if they want to repeat.

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