Patriots personnel head Matt Groh wouldn’t say if the 2022 Patriots had been a greater group than final yr’s playoff group that completed 10-7.
During a video name Saturday night time, he mentioned it was too early to have a definitive evaluation. He additionally categorized the Patriots as a “work in progress.”
Well, after free company and the draft, it seems to be like that so-called work in progress goes to have a more durable time making it to the playoffs, to not point out staying out of the AFC East basement.
The query is, how a lot, if any, floor have they misplaced?
“Between free agency and the draft, listen, the Patriots better watch out,” mentioned ESPN analyst Damien Woody. “Look at the whole division. Miami has made a lot of moves this offseason. The Jets are making moves. The Bills are the Bills. This is going to be a dogfight. There’s no longer any chumps in this division.”
Buffalo remains to be on the head of the category, whereas the Patriots, Dolphins and Jets are mainly going to duke it out for a wild card spot.
Here’s a have a look at what every of the groups did, how a lot they’ve improved – a minimum of on paper – and their outlook for the season.
Buffalo Bills
2021 document: 11-6
2022 draft haul: CB Kairr Elam, RB James Cook, LB Terrel Bernard, WR Khalil Shakir, P Matt Araiza, CB Christian Benford, OT Luke Tenuta
Best draft choose: Elam
Best offseason acquisition: Von Miller
Arrow is pointing: Up
Outlook: The Bills, who misplaced an OT heartbreaker to the Chiefs within the AFC divisional sport, as soon as once more made additions to try to put them excessive within the convention, whereas sustaining their maintain on the division.
It’s onerous to not like what they did to perform that mission. They beefed up their cross rush with Miller, signing him to a surprising six-year, $120 million deal.
The Bills weren’t in a position to stress Patrick Mahomes practically sufficient within the playoff loss. Miller is up in age, however ought to nonetheless assist. It’s the kind of deal you make whenever you’re a participant or two away from a potential championship. They additionally signed Jamison Crowder, who provides to an already potent group of receivers.
In the draft, they landed one of many high corners in Elam, snagged a receiver who may finally discover a dwelling within the slot in Shakir, added to the working again room, whereas bringing in a punter with an all-world leg (Araiza), not that they punt a lot. In reality, they didn’t need to punt in any respect the final two instances they performed the Patriots.
With Josh Allen now firmly established as an elite quarterback, and the group persevering with to outfit him with expertise, division groups will chase the defending AFC East champs.
New England Patriots
2021 document: 10-7
2022 draft haul: OL Cole Strange, WR Tyquan Thornton, CB Marcus Jones, CB Jack Jones, RB Pierre Strong, QB Bailey Zappe, RB Kevin Harris, DL Sam Roberts, OL Chasen Hines, OT Andrew Stueber.
Best draft choose: Marcus Jones
Best offseason acquisition: DeVante Parker
Arrow is pointing: Sideways
Outlook: The Patriots are counting on the massive wad of cash spent final season in free company, hoping these gamers enhance with a yr within the system, whereas additionally banking on some younger defensive gamers to emerge.
They’re additionally anticipating a Year 2 leap from Mac Jones, even after dropping offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and changing him with a group of coaches with little to no expertise dealing with the offense.
Adding Parker, and having one other yr along with his solid of receivers, performs into that narrative. Second-round choose Thornton can fly, however it stays to be seen how the spindly-framed receiver handles the NFL.
Did the Patriots get sooner and more durable? In locations, sure.
They restocked the offensive line and beefed up their working again room with a pair of backs within the draft, and are hopeful James White can return to type.
They’re additionally going to depend on having interchangeable elements between their linebackers and safeties to try to tame high-powered offenses. They drafted a pair of corners, however it’s onerous to say how a lot they’ll contribute.
Bottom line, the Pats haven’t closed the hole with the Bills. The Fins, in the meantime, have the items in place to leap over them. Not prepared to say the identical of the Jets at this stage.
Miami Dolphins
2021 document: 9-8
2022 draft haul: LB Channing Tindall, WR Erik Ezukanma, LB Cameron Goode, QB Skylar Thompson
Best draft choose: Tindall
Best offseason acquisition: Tyreek Hill
Arrow is pointing: Up
Outlook: The Fins introduced in Mike McDaniel, an offensive-minded head coach from the Shanahan (each Mike and & Kyle) teaching tree, and are hoping he can inject some life into Tua Tagovailoa and the offense.
Landing Hill from the Chiefs offers the offense an instantaneous jolt. They additionally signed Cedrick Wilson. So they’ve a scorching receiver trio with Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Wilson together with tight finish Mike Gesicki. And for good measure, they acquired Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert to bolster their working sport.
They weren’t flush with numbers within the draft, however Tindall seems to be like a steal at linebacker within the third spherical.
They retained defensive coordinator Josh Boyer from Brian Flores’ regime, which ought to maintain the protection afloat.
Basically, that is going to come back down as to if Tagovailoa can take them to the following degree with a much-improved surrounding solid.
New York Jets
2021 document: 4-13
2022 draft haul: CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, WR Garrett Wilson, Edge Jermaine Johnson, RB Breece Hall, TE Jeremy Ruckert, OT Max Mitchell, Edge Michael Clemons, LB Baylon Spector.
Best draft choose: The three studs within the first spherical.
Best offseason acquisition: Tyler Conklin
Direction arrow is pointing: Up.
Outlook: Gang Green pulled off an unprecedented haul within the first spherical alone with three gamers who had been regarded among the many finest at their respective positions in Gardner, Wilson, and Johnson.
Head coach Robert Saleh known as it a “dream” first spherical, touchdown high gamers at three premier positions.
They additionally secured top-ranked working again Hall in addition to assistance on the offensive line. On paper, it seems to be like they’ve helped themselves tremendously. But will it’s ok to leap over the Patriots and Dolphins?
That will rely on quarterback Zach Wilson, and if he’s able to making a Year 2 leap after a topsy turvy rookie season.
Source: www.bostonherald.com