I hope you have enjoyed a great holiday season. A belated Merry Christmas to all. At the start of the holidays on Thanksgiving morning, the first of three columns I would write addressing the Patriots needs and my view of their approach to the 2021 season and beyond launched.
Today is the third.
As we enter the final week of the 2020 NFL season, it’s clear that the Patriots needs are many as noted in one of those aforementioned columns: Breaking down this Patriots team’s strengths, weaknesses. In terms of positional weaknesses, I spotlighted the following areas as being in need of improvement: quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, defensive end, defensive tackle and linebacker. Now with the opportunity to review the 20 year resume of how Bill Belichick has best built his rosters in the Patriots most competitive years, here’s my view on how each position should be approached as the 2020 season ends.
QUARTERBACK
Get by with a little help from some old friends? With 24 of their own players becoming free agents in 2021 and so many positions to fill, a familiar path at quarterback may be the wisest one. I’m not interested in bringing back Cam Newton and I have less interest in seeing Brian Hoyer in a Patriots uniform ever again. I’m thinking of older friends: Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett. The Patriots need a lot of help across the roster, bringing in veterans who know the system at the most important position sets a strong anchor. Despite what you may hear in passing quotes from 49ers brass, be it from GM John Lynch or head coach Kyle Shannahan, I find it hard to believe they wouldn’t listen to offers. Jimmy G’s value is way down, which knowing Belichick’s history would put him right on his radar. The once chosen successor in New England can be had again and at 29 years old would be an instant improvement for both 2021 and the future.
Worried about Garoppolo’s health issues? Me too somewhat, which makes signing Brissett to a role he knows well, the perfect way to hedge the bet. While Garoppolo has shown to be injury prone (although some of it unlucky), Brissett proved to have iron man like qualities last season. Prior to Indianapolis reinforcing its offensive line for Phillip Rivers, Brissett was under center when it was near its weakest. That line was part of the reason for Andrew Luck’s early retirement and Brissett was left behind to take the beatings in his stead. He played tough and will have a job in the NFL for years because of it. He would be an ideal backup here and could presumably be had for backup money.
Depending upon where the Patriots draft, using a first round pick on a talented rookie also makes sense if one of the top prospects they covet are within range. We’ll see.
TIGHT END
As of today we have no idea what Devin Asiasi or Dalton Keene is. Here’s what we do know: Through 16 weeks they have seven targets and two catches combined between them. I put up a poll on Twitter Monday night asking if Asiasi would ever catch a pass as a New England Patriot and 72 percent of you said no. Here’s the deal, the Patriots need two tight ends. They need one who can get open and catch passes and can preferably block. They also need another who can block and maybe sneak open for a catch on occasion. Given that the most recent draftees at the position have been less than productive, I would like to see the tight end position addressed in free agency. There are a host of the pass catching variety and blocking variety available. Here are a couple of names: Gerald Everett of the LA Rams to catch the ball and Demetrius Harris to block just as one example. There are good NFL level options available and this is where the Patriots should hunt.
WIDE RECEIVER
Since Julian Edelman was drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 draft here is who the Patriots have drafted at the Wide Receiver positon: N’Keal Harry, Malcolm Mitchell, Devin Lucien, Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce, Jeremy Gallon, Jeremy Ebert and Taylor Price. Brandon Tate was taken ahead of Edelman in 2009. I’d say this is an area to rely on your NFL scouts and NFL talent. You don’t have to break the bank either. Here are some guys that are solid B players that offer immediate improvement: Marvin Jones, Breshad Perriman and Corey Davis to name a few. Would I like an alpha wide out like Allen Robinson? Sure, but I’m not holding my breath. Give me Jones and Perriman for example and you’re instantly better. Two B’s and better than three C’s. Just avoid the D’s and F’s that we have become so accustomed to greeting from the NFL draft. NFL level talent need only apply.
THE FRONT SEVEN
Along with the offensive line this is where I trust Belichick in the Draft the most. Belichick knows how to identify pass rushing talent, run stuffers and linebackers too. Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Chandler Jones, Malcolm Brown, Donta Hightower and Trey Flowers. Sold American. Any combination of draft capital and run stuffing or fleet footed free agents I completely entrust to the Patriots head man.
UPCOMING FREE AGENTS, RETIREES AND OPT-OUTS
All the positions listed above are based on the teams’ weakest areas from what we see in front of us right now. Complicating matters is the great unknown of who is and isn’t coming back. The secondary is an absolute positon of strength right now, but what happens if Gilmore is traded and the McCourtys retire? Then a position of strength enters that of the weaker positions above. Conversely, if Donta Hightower comes back your linebacking core suddenly looks stronger.
Needless to say, much is still to be determined. Here’s what we know however, the Patriots will have money to spend, plenty of cap space to the tune of approximately $20 million as of today available and roster spots to fill. If we still have questions by Memorial Day, then 2021 will likely be another long year and the rebuild will be far from over.
