It's officially "dog days" szn on the Patriots' beat, which means it's time to get creative.
Though it's normally slim pickings this time of year, run-ins with the law and impending free agent signings are making the content machine run easy, and they also have us feigning for answers.
6 rings: What is the biggest position of need for the Patriots?
That's what a mailbag's for. To stay involved, make sure to keep an eye out for the thread on Twitter @mikekadlick and @WEEI. Don't have Twitter? Email me at michael.kadlick@audacy.com to submit any questions you may have.
Here's mailbag 2.0:
Q: What will happen with Jack Jones?
A: It's a good question that frankly, I don't have a clear answer for.
Jones was arraigned on Tuesday morning at East Boston District Court following his arrest on gun charges Friday evening at Logan Airport. His attorney, Rosemary Scapicchio, spoke on following his arraignment:
"The facts of this case are that they found two guns in a carry-on bag that they said was his. He had no intention of bringing any guns into Logan Airport that day... I expect that the evidence is going to show that he had no knowledge of what was going on."
Scapicchio also expressed gratitude to the Patriots for not firing her client due to media speculation:
"We're grateful to the Patriots organization and to the leaders of the Patriots that they didn't believe and read in, and feed into, what was happening on social media where people were saying he's a wannabe thug."
This makes me think that New England may, at least, wait this process out a bit more before making a decision on Jones.
Q: Could Jalen Mills end up back in the cornerback room?
A: With Jack Jones' immediate future in limbo, many have wondered if Jalen Mills will return to the cornerback room.
Mills, who was moved back to his traditional safety position this offseason after being cut and then subsequently re-signed by the team, may now end up back at cornerback after all.
This feels like the most likely scenario.
Q: Why does Jon Jones come up as an option at safety?
A: While Jonathan Jones has never played it in the NFL, the idea of him moving to safety in the Patriots defense has come up as a talking point several times this offseason.
Jones played some safety in college during his time at Auburn, but has been primarily a slot corner during his time in the NFL. Last season was his biggest switch-up, when he was tasked with playing the boundary opposite Jalen Mills following the departure of JC Jackson.
The seventh-year pro has shown versatility during his tenure in New England and with Devin McCourty opting for retirement, the Patriots need an experienced signal caller in the back end.
Having said all of this, the Jack Jones arrest throws a wrench into their plans and may mean Jones (Jonathan, that is) remains at cornerback after all.
Q: Any available free agent cornerbacks?
A: Should the Patriots move off of Jack Jones and/or not have his services at cornerback in 2023, some free agent options include:
- Eli Apple
- Marcus Peters
- Ronald Darby
- Bryce Callahan
While these are the names that intrigue me, it's more likely that they stick with what's on their roster than dip back into free agency for an aging corner.
Q: Can Marcus Jones play on the outside?
A: Much like Jalen Mills and Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones would be leaving his true position in a move to boundary cornerback.
Is it possible? Sure. He occasionally played there as a rookie in 2022 and held his own (see Raiders game vs. Davante Adams), but he's better off in the slot. That's what makes the Jack Jones domino effect so challenging.
Q: If DeAndre Hopkins doesn't sign in New England, what's next?
A: If the Patriots quest for DeAndre Hopkins doesn't go their way, I don't see them going back to the well for another free agent wide receiver.
They'll go into 2023 with an already full WR room of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker, and Tyquan Thornton. Those will be your main four with the likes of Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and Ed Lee given the chance to fill in behind.
Q: Would the Patriots sign Hopkins for more than one year?
A: I think this could be in the cards. However it would be more so a strategic way of spreading out salary cap dollars, not necessarily a long-term solution at wide receiver.
Hopkins' deal with New England will be a de facto rental. I don't see him playing more than two seasons in a Patriots uniform.
Q: Who becomes the "odd man out" in the wide receiver room?
A: Pulling directly from this weekend's Sunday 7: "Hopkins' visit to Foxborough will likely have many thinking: 'Who should be the odd man out in the Patriots wide receiver room?'
The answer is no one.
Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who the Patriots signed this offseason, and second-year pass catcher Tyquan Thornton both nursed injuries during New England's offseason program and rarely touched grass during the team's on-field workouts. Meanwhile, rookies Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas hardly impressed.
Because of this, veteran pass-catchers DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne were the de facto starters, with Bourne being the only “reliable” one of the bunch.
This would quickly makes Hopkins an insurance policy rather than a luxury for Mac Jones and the offense - should he sign a deal."
Q: Did Aaron Rodgers really turn down the Patriots?
A: WFAN’s Craig Carton "reported" last week on Fox Sports' The Carton Show that the Patriots submitted a trade offer to Green Bay for Aaron Rodgers this offseason, before he ultimately chose and was sent to the New York Jets.
Many ran with the report, but I don't 100% buy it.
Don't want to take my word for it? Take former NFL executive Michael Lombardi's. The long-time Bill Belichick confidant joined Pat McAfee Show, telling them: "I don't get the sense that the Patriots were in on Aaron Rodgers... Let's just say I kind of have a sense on what they're thinking in that building."
Sounds fishy.
Q: Position battles to focus on in training camp?
A: Starting quarterback. Kidding.
Third-down back remains an interesting one. Ty Montgomery is the current favorite to be the featured running back on third down, but Pierre Strong Jr. can make a case for the position with a strong (lol) training camp.
I'll also be curious to see what wide receiver lines up at Z opposite DeVante Parker's X in 11-personnel. AKA, can Tyquan Thornton push Kendrick Bourne?
Q: Will the Patriots pick up a running back?
A: Building off of the above running back became an interesting position group to watch following the release of veteran James Robinson.
Rhamondre Stevenson will continue to be the bell cow and Montgomery will likely become the third-down back. The question is - can Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris develop into reliable players to take the load off of Rhamondre?
While my guess is yes, if they want to grab a free agent, our good pal Fitzy outlined some options here.
Q: Have the Patriots done enough to improve their special teams unit?
A: The Patriots' special teams unit should be much improved heading into 2023.
After a season where they ranked dead last in DVOA in 2022, Bill Belichick had seen enough and made substantial improvements. New England added special teams ace Chris Board in free agency (someone Bill has long admired), drafted place kicker Chad Ryland and punter Bryce Baringer along with specialists Ameer Speed and Isaiah Bolden, and signed undrafted specialist Jourdan Heilig.
They also seem to be giving the special teams keys back to Joe Judge, who excelled in this position before prior and was able to parlay it into a head coaching position.
They'll be better in 2023.
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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