Though the signing of NFL players is far from over at this point in the long offseason, it feels like there has been an attention shift in the football landscape.
The titanic trades and massive free agent signings are old news, now it’s all about April 28’s NFL Draft, baby!
Pro day workouts are in full swing. Teams are digging deep into the physical and mental makeup of prospects from coast to coast with little more than a month till the big night.
But before teams like the Patriots can decide who they are going to select to hopefully inject youthful talent and energy into their franchise’s future they must decide what they need to draft. While “best player available” will be a common refrain from analysts, Bill Belichick is like so many other NFL talent evaluators in that more often than not he drafts more for need with his early selections.
Oh, and given that this draft has already been assessed as one that brings significant depth, the possibility of the Patriots dealing down from the No. 21 pick to stock up more selections not only feels like an option but almost seems likely at this point if there is a partner willing to do the trade tango.
So while we stew on a slow free agency period in New England, chew on the aptly-named mock drafts and count down the days to one of the more unique made-for-TV events that the NFL’s marvelous marketing arm has created over the years, here’s a breakdown of New England’s long list of needs heading toward Draft night.
1 – Cornerback: All-Pro J.C. Jackson took the money and ran to the Chargers. Super Bowl hero-turned-controversy Malcolm Butler is back.
That’s a losing swap for the Patriots. The cornerback depth chart that was already razor thing down the stretch last season even with Jackson is now an even larger personnel hole. Jalen Mills – who’s still probably better suited in a versatile safety role – and Jonathan Jones are really the only reliable options at cornerback. Butler may have upside but is a major question at the age of 32 after being out of the league last year. Terrance Mitchell is a journeyman.
Joejuan Williams feels like another second-round lost cause at the position.
Myles Bryant was exposed late in the year. Shaun Wade is…well, who knows? The Patriots probably still need to add multiple bodies at the cornerback position – maybe draft picks and veterans – to create even legitimate competition at the position. Taking a cornerback at No. 21 overall would at least add hope that a high-end option was in the mix, even though starting as a team’s No. 1 cornerback as a rookie is a tall ask.
2 – Offensive line: The trade of Shaq Mason and loss of reliable veteran Ted Karras in free agency cut into the starting lineup on the offensive line. Former first-round pick Isaiah Wynn is also playing out the final year of his rookie contract leaving a future hole at the tackle spot.
Though both Trent Brown (right and left tackle) and Mike Onwenu (tackle and guard) offer position flexibility, New England has one hole in its starting lineup with no obvious answer currently on the roster. The line is also a spot where New England has drafted future starters a year early in the past. Seeing Belichick draft a starting-caliber guard – especially in the trade down scenario – or a future starting tackle near the top of the draft is certainly in play, even if it’s a draft plan that might leave fans and media alike a bit nonplussed.
3 – No. 1 wide receiver: This is a very specific hole and one that can be tough to fill in some ways. New England has a solid crop of pass catchers in Hunter Henry, Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers. What Mac Jones’ offense lacks is a go-to, game-changing option who puts fear into the defense. While those kinds of guys don’t grow on trees, they have been relatively plentiful in recent drafts. There is another impressive crop of wide receivers projected to go in the first and second rounds next month. Is one of them destined to become Jones’ partner in passing crime?
4 – Linebacker: Some might put this need higher on the list and there is certainly an argument that New England absolutely needs more speed and playmaking on the second level of its defense. But, the position does retain a number of recent mid-round picks who might be leaned on to develop and contribute at the spot. Still, adding a modern linebacker with the ability to contribute on all three downs and all over the field would be a critical building block in a unit that continues to rebuild and move on from veteran talent. If there is a young Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins or Kyle Van Noy on the board, Belichick might just need to pounce.
5 – Defensive line: Whether it’s a pure run-stuffer to pair up with Christian Barmore on the interior or more of an edge rusher, New England certainly has room for more impact talent on its defensive front. Neither Henry Anderson nor Davon Godchaux feel like long term options up front. And a true defensive end to add to the mix might be alluring, even if someone like Trey Flowers were brought back into the veteran mix. With the Patriots in what feels like a multi-year, patient approach at rebuilding and solidifying the roster, the defensive line is a secondary need that could pay off big over the course of time. Remember the good ol’ days of the New England dynasty when the front was the heart of the defense?
