The Patriots’ roster is bad. There it is. Rip that band-aid proper off, and don’t bother to beat round the bush. The protection is in a considerably higher vicinity than the offense, which was on full show final season. Today, we will take a seem at how the Patriots offensive roster breakdown should be addressed going forward. New England allocated more sources on the shielding facet of the ball and neglected the offense, assuming they should plug in anyone and be top to go. That plan led to a slow offense with bad protection and run blocking. Yes, New England has a ton of cap space going into March, and that is something to be excited about, but that cash will go quickly due to all New England’s issues.
There are reports of New England going in heavy for Baker Mayfield if he is available, but preserve in thought if they go that route, how lots cash is one participant going to value them? With the amount of holes they have, it will take some creativity to fill them all this year. In reality, that isn’t going to happen, however they should attack the three weakest areas- offensive tackle, quarterback, and huge receiver. The Patriots are so terrible in these areas that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them fill these areas with multiple free sellers and draft picks. The entire function corporations want rebuilds, and that is now not a debate. Let’s take a appear at the modern-day roster to get a properly thought of the wants heading into this crucial offseason.
Quarterback
Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, **Nathan Rourke
**RFA
This is an location of need, and the only guy that in reality must return is Rourke, who is a restrained free agent. Jones is in the final 12 months of his rookie deal, so from a financial standpoint, he makes sense to keep. The problem is he appears cooked and wishes a reset with a new franchise. If they can get a draft pick for him, they need to trade him. Loading up on preferences need to be the goal anyway, so attempt to ship Mac out if possible. If not, don’t be greatly surprised if he is retained as the backup.
Bailey Zappe is a career backup at best, and they want to determine if they are going to hold him or Mac due to the fact they in reality can’t coexist. Zappe doesn’t have any exchange value, so he’s not going to fetch them a late pick. Zappe did exhibit ultimate season that he is mentally superior than Jones, however it is clear that Jones is still the more gifted quarterback. Rourke is a developmental participant who has flashed in practice and is worth holding onto. They are going to draft someone, both with the first pick out or in the 2d or 1/3 round, so the decision they make on their other quarterbacks is vital to all of their development transferring forward.
Running Back
Rhamondre Stevenson, Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty, Ke’Shawn Vaughn
New offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has made it clear that he desires to run the ball, and to do that, he is going to want some help in the jogging backs room. Stevenson is a very true NFL lower back and is a properly lead back, however they need more, a lot more. Kevin Harris has flashed when given the opportunity, so the cabinet isn’t totally barren, but they want a back that can seize the ball and they should additionally use a again that can spell Stevenson and have greater of a 50/50 mix. One of the matters to preserve in thought is the method Cleveland took with not solely their celebrity returned in Chubb however also Kareem Hunt, Jerome Ford, and Pierre Strong. Cleveland made it work because of their scheme and a strong offensive line, however they additionally have gifted backs.
Fans expect the Patriots to assault this vicinity in free business enterprise and the draft. If they want to swing big, they can with backs like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, or D’Andre Swift. They could additionally signal a man like Devin Singletary and draft any individual like Marshawn Lloyd out of USC, a man who can trap and run and looks like a viable star NFL back who ought to be on hand in the third or 4th round. This will be fun to watch due to the fact it is clear that the Patriots’ new offensive personnel has a properly thought of what it takes to run the ball, and with the backs in free organisation and the draft, there are a lot of gifted backs to select from.
Wide Receiver
Devante Parker, DeMario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, **Tre Nixon
**RFA
This is the worst extensive receiver team in the NFL, and it is no longer remotely close. Douglas can play, so he can be separated from the group. Parker and Smith-Schuster have awful contracts that elevate $18,600,022 in useless cap cash combined. To be honest, it might make experience to simply take the hit and cut bait now. Parker will be completely off the books after this year, and Smith-Schuster would account for a 2.4 million in useless money in ‘25.
Those were just terrible contracts and something absolutely that will be appeared back on as examples of the closing regime completely dropping its way in all areas. The Parker re-signing last 12 months made zero sense whatsoever, and it felt like Belichick used to be trying to show a point. JuJu was a attain and shockingly, their medical crew didn’t waive a massive pink flag after his physical. If both one of these guys is on the roster in ‘24, count on it to be Smith-Schuster due to a higher upside and better useless cap hit. Why no longer see if they can get some thing out of him earlier than slicing him?
Thornton is searching like a bust, which is unfortunate because he might be the fastest player in the NFL. The youngster can fly, seeing him up shut strolling is one of the extra awesome matters from education camp closing season, however he makes so many mistakes and he genuinely cannot run routes. Thornton needs to have a remarkable offseason to have a risk to make this roster, which he will be given each and every possibility to do. He has real defense stretching speed, but he need to easy up his sport in so many areas to be a potential NFL receiver. Kayshon Boutte will probable be reduce shortly after his off-the-field gambling exploits. He seems to be a marginal NFL receiver at fine and will no longer be a loss for this team.
The Patriots will tackle this region in free organisation and the draft due to the fact they want everything. A top wide-receiving core looks like a starting five for a basketball team, and proper now, the Patriots solely have one man in Davis. They want a large X, a proficient and quick Z that can scare defenses, a man that can do a little bit of both, and another F (slot receiver). This isn’t a wishlist; this is a should to compete. For people who love roster building, this is going to be a very interesting location to watch as figuring out younger receivers has been a trouble for the Patriots for over a decade now. The next two weeks will outline which route New England goes as groups begin to apply franchise tags. Receivers like Mike Evans, Michael Pittman Jr., Tee Higgins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd will maybe be available. They have the money to spend and most in reality will on whichever one of these aforementioned receivers is a free agent.
Offensive Line
Tackle: Conor McDermott, Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, **Tyrone Wheatley Jr., *Mike Ownewu
Guard: Cole Strange, Sidy Sow, Atonio Mafi
Center: David Andrews, Jake Andrews
*UFA
**RFA
When you build a football team, most human beings anticipate the first location you start is quarterback. The reality is, it all starts up front, and if you can’t block, you can’t do anything. That factor was confirmed remaining yr as Patriot quarterbacks ran for their lives, and jogging backs had no room to work with. They have been bad, and although they did enhance as the 12 months went on, they had been not a legit NFL starting offensive line and they want to rebuild their handle position. Current free agent Mike Owenwu MUST be re-signed. That is the one free agent this offseason the Patriots should locate a way to keep.
They need to tackle the left tackle spot, and it makes feel to no longer solely address it in the draft but also signal a free agent who can come in and supply depth however be a workable starter until anything rookie they draft is ready. The shield role is additionally very skinny and desires reinforcements. There are plenty of mid-round draft possibilities available, and free employer additionally has a fair share of depth guys that may want to come in and help New England. Center is one of the few areas the place New England appears solid for next season, but if one of the top centers like Jackson Powers Johnson is available in the second round, he can also be difficult to ignore up. Johnson can play a couple of positions, which would be valuable for a team that wants brain in so many areas.
The free employer route isn’t deep, but there are some fascinating guys available. Cowboys megastar left tackle Tyronn Smith is available, and he would be ideal for New England. Last yr they signed Ezekiel Elliott and it was successful for each parties. Could they strive to go this route with some other Cowboys’ ageing star-free agent? Why not? It would value them between 8-12 million per yr and they would probably have to give him two years with commonly assured money, however that buys you two years at left tackle, the most vital spot on the offensive line. Chiefs left handle Donovan Smith is also unrestricted and will be looking to get one greater payday. He is two years youthful than Smith but isn’t nearly as talented. Smith is no slouch, though, beginning 136 of a viable 136 games in his career. He has performed for two Super Bowl Champions in the final four years (‘20 Bucs, ‘23 Chiefs). Smith has been rumored to be interested in the Jets, but he must be on the radar for a group that is hurting so badly at the address spot.
Tight End
La’Michael Pettway, *Hunter Henry, *Mike Gesicki, *Pharoah Brown
*UFA
With one tight cease below contract, it is safe to say that this vicinity also have to be addressed. The Patriots’ complete offense wishes a rebuild, and the tight end position is no different. Could they re-sign Henry and go that route? Maybe, but that can also be extra steeply-priced than this modern-day regime desires to be whilst they strive and rebuild so many areas. Pharoah Brown was once a member of the ‘22 Browns, which offers him familiarity with the new coaching staff. It makes a ton of sense to carry Brown back, thinking about how a good deal increase he confirmed during the ‘23 season. If they do get a deal accomplished with Brown and Henry returns on a deal that makes sense, it would be clever to add in free agency or the draft.
If they were searching to truly replace Henry with any one they deem better, Dalton Schultz is reachable and is two years younger than Henry. Henry’s market fee is decrease than Schultz’s, but if New England decides to allocate excellent money to this position, Schultz could be the potential answer. The draft has options, too, but guys like Brock Bowers are a luxurious for a crew that can’t block, doesn’t have a quarterback, and desires an complete receiving core. Deeper in the draft, there will be guys available, and if this region is addressed in free agency, anticipate to see them draft a developmental tight end.
Prognosis
That are more holes to fill than the Patriots have assets to allocate, however if they get innovative adequate and a little lucky, they could restore a accurate element of this offense. Every function wants to be addressed, and they’ll need some free dealers to say yes to signing for this component to get fixed, however money talks and they have to spend it. Not solely do they have a ton of space going into free corporation in ‘24, but they barely have any contractual commitments for ‘25. This and the next offseason are going to be a large step in the rebuilding of the New England Patriots. Being aggressive is going to be key, and they need to make certain they don’t overspend on the incorrect players like they have over the ultimate few seasons.
There will be moves made (trade Judon? Let Dugger walk?) that will probably anger fans, however it is essential to bear in mind how some distance off the rails this crew went and how lousy their offensive roster is. Judon missed all of ‘23 and the protection used to be very good. Is he properly to have? Yes, but he is going to favor a new deal and that simply doesn’t make experience proper now. Dugger is going to choose between 12 and sixteen million, which is a lot for a crew to spend on security when they average the least points in the league. The draft is cheaper, and there are masses of free dealers available for the security position. Today, Lawrence Guy and Adrian Phillips had been cut, two guys who had been very desirable players for New England. Guy used to be quintessential for a Super Bowl-winning defense and will be missed, but it was time.
This is going to be a definitely exclusive roster on offense in ‘24, and the exciting is about to commence when teams begin making use of franchise tags. Once the tampering season begins, we will be off and going for walks and have a properly thought of what route the Patriots will take to rebuild their usually broken offensive roster.
