With NFL free company winding down, groups have made most of their important strikes.
While the Patriots didn’t leap in with the type of mega-splash they made in 2021, they nonetheless pulled off a lot of notable strikes that ought to influence the staff going ahead. Some in a constructive path, others not a lot.
Whether it was signing large receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight finish Mike Gesicki, re-signing cornerback Jonathan Jones, buying and selling tight finish Jonnu Smith, or not doing a lot to re-sign high receiver Jakobi Meyers, they principally ran the gamut.
That mentioned, it’s debatable how a lot they honestly improved. At large receiver, they primarily swapped out Meyers for Smith-Schuster. While Smith-Schuster is a greater participant on paper, it’s going to be powerful to beat Meyers’ constant manufacturing and reference to Mac Jones. Tight finish was a extra apparent acquire, as they dumped an unproductive Smith and added Gesicki. They additionally misplaced operating again Damien Harris to the Bills, however introduced in James Robinson to trip shotgun with Rhamondre Stevenson.
Beyond that, they added some depth on the offensive line, and doubled down on particular groups. They additionally re-signed most of their in-house free brokers on protection, with Jones tops on an inventory that features Jabrill Peppers, Raekwon McMillan, Carl Davis, Mack Wilson and Daniel Ekuale.
But even with the entire exercise, there are nonetheless questions at some key spots. The Patriots nonetheless have positions that would use some assist. Based on strikes made, to not point out ones that weren’t made, they’re nonetheless looking at most of the similar drawback areas they’d previous to the beginning of free company.
While they did handle lots of their largest areas of want – cornerback, offensive sort out, large receiver – they haven’t essentially solved all of their points, particularly relating to stocking the cupboards with high-end expertise.
So with the draft a month away, let’s re-set the Patriots roster wants and have a look the place they may nonetheless use some assist.
Offensive sort out
Plenty of Band-Aids have been utilized to the sort out group in free company. Will Band-Aids defend Jones any higher than final yr? Perhaps new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm shall be a difference-maker and make extra of much less. Dante Scarnecchia did that for years.
In any case, veteran Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson have been signed. Conor McDermott, who was pulled off the Jets follow squad, and located himself beginning at proper sort out late within the yr, was additionally re-signed.
Assuming the Patriots preserve Trent Brown, and he stays at left sort out and is extra dedicated than final season, the Patriots nonetheless want one other top-flight sort out within the combine.
Reiff has been a starter most of his profession, and the $5 million contract the Patriots gave him, which is generally assured, means he’s the chief within the clubhouse at proper sort out.
But at age 34, there isn’t a ton left within the tank.
Anderson looks like a superb guess to battle for the swing sort out, with McDermott and Andrew Stueber additionally within the combine.
But the Pats nonetheless want one other younger stud to play subsequent to proper guard Michael Onwenu, and maybe study from Reiff on the outset.
The Pats really want to pounce within the draft.
If they keep at No. 14, Georgia’s Broderick Jones may very well be there. He’s a beast at 6-foot-5, 311 kilos. Per Football Focus, he didn’t permit a sack and allowed simply 9 complete pressures in 470 pass-blocking snaps. Ohio State’s Paris Johnson is one other first-round risk. He’s 6-foot-7, and has 36 ⅛-inch attain, which was the second longest of anybody on the mix.
Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski will certainly go within the first, however he’ll possible be off the board.
While Jones and Johnson can be extra plug-and-play choices, the Pats might additionally go for a participant who would possibly want a yr to study.
If they transfer down within the first spherical, Tennessee’s Darnell Wright and Ohio State’s Dawand Jones are prospects.
Later on, BYU’s Blake Freeland and Alabama’s Tyler Steen may very well be on their radar.
Cornerback
If offensive sort out is the No. 1 want, nook needs to be thought of 1A.
Thus far, they re-signed Jonathan Jones, which was necessary for a lot of causes. The drawback is the Patriots are nonetheless missing a real No. 1 on the place.
With Mills, whose deal was restructured, sending out alerts he was going to return as a security, the necessity intensifies.
For that matter, Mills, Jones and Myles Bryant are all candidates to fill Devin McCourty’s function at free security.
But taking away any certainly one of them simply emphasizes the purpose.
No doubt second-year prospects Marcus Jones and Jack Jones will determine in prominently, be it within the slot or out on the boundary.
Looking at how the group did final season, nevertheless, they struggled in opposition to the higher quarterbacks and groups with high flight receivers.
Having a professional No. 1 would assist issues, particularly given a 2023 schedule that has the Patriots taking part in most of the high quarterbacks (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert, and certain Aaron Rodgers). So concentrating on a nook with their high decide, be it No. 14 the place they sit, isn’t out of the realm.
With 11 picks general, the Patriots must spend money on the place, particularly in a cornerback-rich draft. In reality, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper, throughout his availability with the media Wednesday, known as the place the “deepest in the draft, by far.”
If the Pats are fortunate, one of many high three prospects, Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon, and or Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr., shall be round once they decide within the first spherical.
The Pats want boundary corners and all three match the profile.
Day 2 prospects embody Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes, a three-year starter who excels in each man and zone, and Alabama’s Eli Ricks, who’s 6-foot-2, 196 kilos, and has nice instincts and ball expertise.
The Patriots may also pull off a commerce with an skilled veteran, however the draft is probably going the way in which to go.
Wide receiver
JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton and Smith-Schuster.
From the Patriots new high 4, who’s the No. 1?
Answer: They nonetheless don’t have one.
The above foursome isn’t dangerous. Smith-Schuster brings energy and yards-after-catch capability. Bourne ought to get again on observe working with an precise offensive coordinator, and it’ll be fascinating to see how a lot Thornton improves Year 2. He’s bought the wheels, however together with his slender body, can he keep on the sphere?
That’s why the Patriots nonetheless must preserve searching for the lacking element. They nonetheless don’t have anybody in-house who would strike concern in an opposing protection. They don’t have that true No. 1.
Are the Patriots ready out a greater commerce for Arizona’s DeAndre Hopkins? Or Jerry Jeudy?
Are they ready for Odell Beckham Jr., to return all the way down to their worth vary?
The reply is possibly to the entire above.
But there’s additionally the likelihood the Pats are achieved on that entrance relating to free company, or the commerce market which would go away the draft so as to add a dynamic weapon.
With Nelson Agholor additionally subtracted from the combination — he signed a free agent take care of the Ravens — it behooves the Pats to usher in one other receiver, presumably from the draft.
The dangerous information is that this draft isn’t fairly as loaded because the previous with high-end receiving expertise that runs a number of rounds deep.
Should the Pats keep at No. 14, or transfer down within the first spherical, the they may nonetheless be in play for Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Boston College’s Zay Flowers. Both are slot receivers. Flowers is extra explosive.
Njigba has moved up draft boards as a result of he looks like a sure-fire star. His skillset, nevertheless, is similar to Smith-Schuster.
Beyond the slot, the Patriots might use an elite ‘X’ receiver. TCU’s Quentin Johnston suits that profile. Another title to keep watch over is Wake Forest’s A.T. Perry, who can be a Day 2 risk. He’s 6-foot-3 ½, 198 kilos. He’s a pink zone menace who’s coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Another wideout who could be on the Patriots radar is Mississippi’s Jonathan Mingo. He’s a freakish athlete who impressed on the mix together with his capability and soccer intelligence.
Tight finish
Subtracting Smith, and pairing Gesicki with Hunter Henry ought to present a lift on the place, significantly within the pink zone.
Why do they nonetheless have a necessity?
Gesicki solely signed a one-year deal, whereas Henry is headed into the ultimate yr of his deal.
Beyond that, neither one is very adept as a run blocker. So the Patriots are going to wish to both add a free agent tight finish who can ideally move and run block, or draft a twin menace tight finish who might assist out this yr with a higher eye towards the long run.
As it so occurs, like nook, it is a excellent tight finish class.
Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer is the highest prospect and needs to be snagged within the first spherical. It’s uncertain the Pats would pounce that quickly.
In phrases of Day 2 prospects, Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave has the chops to be a two-way tight finish within the execs. He stood out on the Senior Bowl. He’s a large (6-foot-6, 253 kilos) bodily blocker who has a big catch radius.
South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft is a Day 2 prospect who would slot in given his final title, however can be thought of one of many higher twin menace tight ends within the class. He’s a plus-run blocker and an excellent receiver.
Safety
Devin McCourty’s retirement primarily creates a gap at this place.
While the Patriots have loads of safeties, Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips and Jabrill Peppers are extra in-the-box safeties versus free security, the place McCourty roamed for greater than a decade.
Any of them might transfer, or the Patriots might see what third-year security Joshua Bledsoe brings to the desk.
By the sound of it, Jalen Mills, who has manned the nook the previous two seasons, will revert to his finest place, security. Jonathan Jones is one other risk, as is Myles Bryant. The Pats nevertheless, can’t utterly rob the nook room.
So it behooves the Patriots to draft a youthful participant to groom for that function.
Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson profiles as a superb match given his intelligence, management intangibles. He’s a Day 2 prospect. LSU’s Jay Ward and California’s Daniel Scott are different free security prospects.
Beyond these high 5 wants
With Josh Uche within the closing yr of his rookie deal, and Matthew Judon a free agent after the 2024 season, the Patriots could be well-served to land an edge rusher within the draft. … While the Patriots signed a punter throughout the week (Corliss Waitman) to interchange Jake Bailey, it nonetheless is smart to draft one within the later rounds. Ditto kicker. … The Pats could also be set at linebacker, re-signing McMillan and Wilson, however they nonetheless want an infusion of pace on the place. It wouldn’t harm to draft a linebacker who can actually transfer from side-to-side and sustain with the backs popping out of the backfield … and at last, the Pats will possible signal one other quarterback be it a veteran, or developmental prospect. They principally want one other camp arm to go together with Jones and Bailey Zappe.
Source: www.bostonherald.com