1 – While it may not have been quite the big, 2021-like splash that some were hoping for, the Patriots made a number of significant moves in the first week of free agency that could have a dramatic effect on the team in 2023. There were big comings (JuJu Smith-Schuster), big goings (Jakobi Meyers) and big re-signings (Jonathan Jones).
While the roster building, rebuilding and retooling process is far from over just a week into the primary action of the offseason, it does feel appropriate to reassess New England’s needs heading through the next wave of free agency and with the draft still more than a month away.
Though Bill Belichick and his staff made relatively impactful moves at what were widely considered the Patriots’ biggest areas of need this offseason – cornerback, tackle and wide receiver in some order – the reality is that those three positions still remain huge holes, especially in regards to the top of the depth chart at each spot.
That in mind, here’s a reconfigured look at New England’s top three areas of needs after the team made moves at those positions to open up the spring.
Cornerback – Arguably the biggest need given a lack of a true No. 1 option or even depth bodies after last season, the return of Jones does maintain veteran stability and versatility. But the release of Jalen Mills sends packing the guy who was essentially the de facto No. 1 cornerback when healthy the last couple seasons. For now, either Jonathan Jones or second-year prospect Jack Jones would have to be penciled in atop the depth chart, even if the former Jones is still far more suited to slot play. Belichick & Co.
still have significant work to do at the cornerback position, and targeting the spot with the top pick at No. 14 overall still has to be very much a consideration.
Tackle – With Trent Brown returning, at least for now, the overall competitive depth at the tackle position is improved with the signings of proven veteran Riley Reiff and potentially budding young player Calvin Anderson. Add those guys to Conor McDermott and maybe Andrew Stueber and at least there are options to turn to. The 34-year-old Reiff has been a starter most of his career, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility that he could lock down the spot opposite Brown, especially given that the newcomer is being paid at a level to do just that. That would leave Anderson, who got decent guaranteed money that should guarantee his roster spot, and the rest to battle for the swing and backup jobs. But there really isn’t a long term starting option in the mix at tackle, so finding a stable body for at least one of the spots could still very much be a draft target. And if that happens, the veteran Brown could be a cap cut consideration coming off a rather lackluster 2022 effort.
Wide receiver – Whether some like it or not, New England swapped out Meyers for Smith-Schuster at receiver, giving up proven reliability and makeup for potential upside. Neither, though, is a true No. 1 target, which is what the passing game has lacked for the last few years. A depth chart of Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton could be good enough in the passing game – especially if Bourne bounces back under Bill O’Brien after a lost season and Thornton makes the kind of Year 2 Jump that should be expected of a second-round pick – but the group still doesn’t appear to have the kind of go-to option that strikes fear in opposing defenses. The search continues.
2 – Trading (unloading) Jonnu Smith and signing former Dolphin Mike Gesicki appears to be an upgrade on paper for the Patriots. Smith never lived up to his crazy contract in New England. Of course at least some in Miami are spreading the narrative that Gesicki never lived up to his draft status. It’s certainly worth noting that the veteran tight end’s playing time and production dropped significantly last season despite playing on the franchise tag and having the fortune of lining up on the same field as dynamic receiver Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in Mike McDaniel’s new age system. How exactly Gesicki’s slot skills marry up with what O’Brien wants to do on the new-look New England offense and how he blends together with Hunter Henry will be interesting to watch throughout the summer and into the regular season. Certainly Gesicki adds another capable, complementary option to Mac Jones’ mix, but he’ll have to prove that he’s anything more than that.
3 – Maybe the most interesting of the Patriots’ early free agent signings, one that probably isn’t getting enough attention, is the addition of running back James Robinson. People seem to have forgotten that in his first two seasons in Jacksonville in 2020-21 the undrafted player tallied more than 2,300 total yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns. He averaged better than 4.5 yards per carry each year and totaled 80 receptions. The last year-plus saw Robinson deal with a major injury, a regime change with the Jaguars and a trade to the Jets. Now fully healthy and joining budding star Rhamondre Stevenson in New England there is no reason Robinson shouldn’t be able to get back to his productive early-career ways. Both guys have dual-threat ability to produce on the ground and in the passing game, adding another layer to the offense and keeping Stevenson from having to carry too much of the load, which was an issue at times last season. The Patriots were able buy low on Robinson and could get valuable rewards in return from the young veteran.
4 – While much of the attention early in the offseason has focused on how the Patriots are retooling the offense – both in terms of coaching and personnel – the same image rehab process is taking place in the kicking game as well. After a putrid performance in the third phase last fall, New England brought back veteran leader Matthew Slater, added the guy Belichick called the best special teamer the Patriots faced last year in former Lion Chris Board, jettisoned disappointing punter Jake Bailey, re-signed Cody Davis, re-signed Joe Cardona as the highest-paid long snapper in the NFL and may have Joe Judge’s special teams experience to lean on moving forward on the reconfigured coaching staff. All should help out in an area that Belichick has prioritized over the years but fell on tough times the last couple seasons.
There’s still work to be done in terms of finding a punting replacement for Bailey – Belichick has relied on rookie draft pick punters before in his New England career with both Bailey (fifth round, 2019) and Zoltan Mesko (fifth round, 2010) – and kicker Nick Folk isn’t getting any younger, but it’s pretty clear the Patriots are very much invested in being a better special teams unit in 2023.
5 – The free safety position appears, at least on paper, to be a questionable spot in the back end of the defense in New England at this point. The man who created the hole thanks to his retirement, Devin McCourty, doesn’t see it that way. In fact, in his newfound role as a social media analyst, McCourty proclaimed that the Patriots not only have the talent to succeed at safety with the Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips and the newly re-signed Jabrill Peppers, but that the back end could be a bit more unpredictable for opposing passers to deal with.
McCourty also doesn’t rule out a breakout year from versatile young defensive back Joshuah Bledsoe.
6 – McCourty may be retired and even enjoying a vacation this March, but he and his twin brother Jason have joined the news-breaking world of NFL social media. Devin McCourty was the first to report the Davis re-signing while the NFL Network’s Jason broke word of the Cardona deal. Though it may be a bit unique and surprising that the twin brothers are breaking news about former teammates, it’s no surprise at all that the duo might find successful footing in the media world. Jason McCourty has looked like a natural in his NFLN role on Good Morning Football, while Devin McCourty is a virtual lock to land and succeed in his own role in the media in the very near future.
7 – With the NFL Combine in the rearview mirror coaches, GMs and talent evaluators are now in the heart of the March pro day schedule across college campuses everywhere. Belichick has been a frequent visitor to pro days over his career, especially key stops in places like the SEC. Given that the Patriots hold their highest pick in draft since 2008, New England should be well represented at the top schools with the top prospects in the coming days. That schedule includes Iowa March 20, USC March 21, Ohio State March 22, Alabama on March 23, Penn State on March 24, LSU on March 29 and Oklahoma on March 30 among many, many other stops on the prospect trail.