6 rings & football things: Which QBs impressed at their Pro Days, who likely fits best, & what the heck was up with Jayden Daniels' elbow?
Ladies and gentlemen, it's officially NFL Draft month -- which means that we're mere weeks away from the Patriots' potentially turning the direction of their franchise around.
After posting a 4-13 record in 2023, New England has 'parted ways' with the greatest head coach in NFL history in Bill Belichick, and has unofficially given front office executive Eliot Wolf full control over the personnel department in an attempt to right the ship. They also hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, along with seven other selections.
The number of games they win next season, however, may not change. At least according to FanDuel.
As of April 1, the Patriots' 2024 win total sits at O/U 5.5 wins, with the under juiced to -142 odds. Here's who they play, and where:
HOME
-- Buffalo Bills
-- Los Angeles Rams
-- Houston Texans
-- Indianapolis Colts
-- Miami Dolphins
-- New York Jets
-- Seattle Seahawks
-- Los Angeles Chargers
AWAY
-- Arizona Cardinals
-- Buffalo Bills
-- Jacksonville Jaguars
-- Miami Dolphins
-- New York Jets
-- San Francisco 49ers
-- Tennessee Titans
-- Cincinnati Bengals
-- Chicago Bears
Despite holding over $100 million in cap space, New England didn't make the splash many had hoped for as the new league year began -- instead opting for a more conservative approach while re-signing many of their own. To date, they've signed and re-signed the following players:
-- QB Nathan Rourke
-- CB Alex Austin
-- OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
-- OT Chukwuma Okorafor
-- TE Hunter Henry
-- WR Kendrick Bourne
-- RB Antonio Gibson
-- OT Mike Onwenu
-- QB Jacoby Brissett
-- LB Sione Takitaki
-- WR Jalen Reagor
-- LB Josh Uche
--LB Christian Elliss
-- TE Austin Hooper
-- LB Anfernee Jennings
-- DT Armon Watts
-- OG Nick Leverett
-- WR K.J. Osborn
-- S Jaylinn Hawkins
They still currently have over $50 million in cap space, which can also roll into next season.
Due to having a new head coach in 2024, the Patriots are allowed to begin their offseason program early. April 1st, to be exact. Their new head coach Jerod Mayo, however, has opted to delay their start.
“There’s still going to be time to put this team together," Mayo explained at the League Meetings last week when asked why they're waiting to bring the players back. "I think as the staff continues to gel, not only on the coaching side but also on the scouting side, as the team continues to gel, I just want to make sure that we as coaches are all on the same page before we go to the players.
He continued: "We’ve been a part of situations where you bring these different coaches in, and this guy has one philosophy, and this guy has another philosophy. I just wanted to make sure that the coaches, and the staff, that we’re all on the same page going forward. And look, once again, you don’t win games in the spring. But you can lose them. I don’t want to fall into that trap. I want to make sure we’re all pulling in the same direction."
In turn, New England's players will return to the building next Monday, April 8 for the start of OTA's.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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