The Patriots hit all-time low.
The excellent news? They’re already positioning themselves for a rebound.
Under new coach Jerod Mayo, the Pats have overhauled a training employees that oversaw one of many league’s worst offenses final season. Their entrance workplace is now led by longtime outsider turned director of scouting Eliot Wolf, a former govt in Green Bay and assistant GM for the Browns. The Patriots are projected to carry the third-most cap house within the league heading into free company, and are armed with vital draft capital, beginning with the No. 3 general choose.
However the Pats proceed, the stakes are vital.
The franchise hasn’t received a playoff recreation in 5 years, and proprietor Robert Kraft mentioned he hopes their first-round choose positions the workforce “beautifully” for years to come back. To put the Patriots again on observe, the Herald is publishing a day by day collection with 5 offseason fixes that cowl the draft, free company and training.
No. 5: Restock the offensive deal with place
No. 4: Maximize front-office flexibility
No. 3: Revamp receiver group
When trying to find positives to remove from the Patriots’ 2023 season, you possibly can solely actually look to the workforce’s defensive efficiency.
The Patriots completed with a 4-13 report in Bill Belichick’s final season, however their protection ranked eighth lowest in anticipated factors added (EPA) per play, second lowest in rush EPA per play and 14th lowest in dropback EPA per play. And that was regardless of taking part in many of the season with out two of the workforce’s greatest gamers in outdoors linebacker Matthew Judon and 2023 first-round choose Christian Gonzalez, each of whom performed simply 4 video games earlier than hitting season-ending injured reserve.
That the Patriots’ move protection performed so properly with out Judon and Gonzalez (and with out being helped out by its offense) is itself one thing of a miracle. Toss in the truth that move rusher Josh Uche underperformed in Judon’s absence and the revolving door at cornerback that noticed J.C. Jackson play simply eight video games, Jack Jones play 5 video games and Marcus Jones play two video games, and it turns into much more spectacular.
There’s some work to be accomplished to ensure the move protection continues to carry out properly with out head coach Bill Belichick and linebackers coach/playcaller Steve Belichick, nevertheless. Mayo has changed Belichick, and defensive position coach DeMarcus Covington has been promoted to defensive coordinator. Jerry Montgomery is changing Covington, Dont’a Hightower is teaching inside linebackers and Drew Wilkins has been employed to educate outdoors linebackers. Cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino, safeties coach Brian Belichick and director of ability growth (move rushers) Joe Kim are being retained.
As far as personnel goes, Uche, slot cornerback/security Myles Bryant, safeties Kyle Dugger and Jalen Mills, outdoors linebacker Anfernee Jennings and linebacker Mack Wilson are all free brokers.
There are additionally some potential cap casualties who might be launched in Jackson ($12.375 million base wage) and security Adrian Phillips ($1.65 million base wage). Judon’s contract additionally would possibly should be reworked. The workforce borrowed $3 million from his 2024 wage to provide him a pay increase final season. He’s set to earn only a $6.5 million wage this season.
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The Patriots will both have to carry again Jennings and Uche or re-stock their pass-rushing group. Interior rushers Christian Barmore and Daniel Ekuale, and defensive ends Deatrich Wise and Keion White are nonetheless beneath contract, however one or two reliable choices are nonetheless wanted.
The Jaguars’ Josh Allen, the Panthers’ Brian Burns and the Vikings’ Danielle Hunter are the highest choices obtainable in free company, however there is no assure that they will even be obtainable with franchise tags and contract extensions on the desk.
A participant like Jadeveon Clowney might make sense on a one-year deal. He had a profession 12 months with the Ravens, and Wilkins is coming over from Baltimore.
Alabama’s Dallas Turner and Florida State’s Jared Verse are thought to be the highest edge defenders within the draft however, until the Patriots resolve to make use of their first-round choose on a defensive participant, probably will not be obtainable.
Alabama’s Chris Braswell or Washington’s Bralen Trice might be extra cheap matches within the draft.
If Jackson will get launched to liberate cap house, that leaves the Patriots with Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Shaun Wade, Marco Wilson and Isaiah Bolden beneath contract at cornerback. Phillips, Jabrill Peppers and Marte Mapu are signed for 2024.
Bringing again Dugger ought to be a precedence for the Patriots at security. The franchise tag might be in play if Dugger and the Patriots cannot attain a long-term deal. Bryant has confirmed himself to be a reliable and versatile participant, however the Falcons might present competitors for his providers after hiring his school defensive coordinator, Jimmy Lake.
One extra starting-caliber outdoors cornerback is required to supply depth behind Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones. Jaylon Johnson, L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie are set to be the highest-paid outdoors cornerbacks in free company, however a return for Stephon Gilmore within the Patriots’ secondary might be logical. There are 12 cornerbacks listed in The Athletic’s Top 100 draft prospects rankings, so it is wanting like a reasonably stacked class.
Only a couple of strikes are wanted to ensure the Patriots’ protection continues to be a energy for the franchise.
Source: www.bostonherald.com