The Patriots’ acquisition of DeVante Parker may not signal a wide shift in offensive philosophy, but coupled with some other personnel moves this offseason, it indicates New England wants to tweak its approach.
On “Gresh & Keefe” Tuesday, NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran explained how the addition of Parker and apparent elimination of the fullback position shows the Patriots may be looking to stretch the field more this season.
“I do think the offense will certainly be tweaked significantly,” Curran said. “If they’re taking the fullback out — Jakob Johnson saying they’re not going to use a fullback anymore and it’s going to be Jonnu Smith — you’re not going to pay $9 million in salary to Jonnu Smith to run into nose tackles and middle linebackers all year. He has to have a huge role — an [Aaron] Hernandez-style, I would imagine role in the offense — and I’m curious to see whoever the offensive coordinator is, what he has decided for the formula the Patriots are going to employ. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s more downfield, press the ball downfield a little bit.”
While the Patriots finished sixth in points scored last season, their offense lacked explosion. They also put up 22.6 percent of their points in two games against the woeful Jets and Jaguars. They’ll need a more consistent attack this season.
That would presumably require better performances from some members of last year’s high-priced free agent class. When Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick talk about free agents improving in year two, Smith is probably at the top of the list. The dynamic tight end was a virtual non-factor last season, catching just 28 passes.
Nelson Agholor was a disappointment, too, though Curran is less optimistic about his ability to contribute. Agholor’s best asset may be his short-term contract: he’ll be a free agent after this season.
“Agholor is thankfully a short-timer. They might get a good season from him. But if he does give you a 35-40-catch season, yeah it was expensive as hell to have him here for that in 2022, but he’s gone next year,” Curran said. “The Patriots right now are No. 3 in the NFL in positional spending against the cap at the wide receiver position. Next year, they’re 26th. So with money cleared, you can either shop for wideouts next year, or you can draft one this year.”
Despite the addition of Parker, the Patriots could still use a receiver, along with another cornerback, linebacker and more linemen. Belichick and his staff should have a busy NFL Draft.
“They have to draft with need in mind, and there’s yawning holes at each of the slots they could draft,” Curran said.
