Sure, the Patriots have games left to play in 2022 and still have a shot to make the playoffs. But let's be real: 2023 is this team's next real chance to be a competitive one.
New England currently has $56 million in projected cap space going into next season, which is fourth-highest in the league. That should give them options to sign a few key free agents and restock the veteran shelves with a few players set to hit the market and not potentially return (like left tackle Isaiah Wynn, receiver Jakobi Meyers and running back Damien Harris).
But the most important work toward building a contender will happen in the 2023 NFL Draft, where the Patriots will have to hit on some key positions in order to keep up with the rest of the AFC East.
In particular, Mac Jones could use some dynamic help at the wide receiver position -- something the Bills (Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis), Dolphins (Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle) and Jets (Garrett Wilson) all acquired for their quarterbacks in the last few seasons.
Both Dane Brugler of The Athletic and Damian Parson of The Draft Network think USC's Jordan Addison is just that player for Jones, mocking him to the Patriots in the first round.
Addison, who's currently a junior at USC, hasn't officially declared for the draft yet and has a down year compared to his 100-catch, 1,593-yard season in 2021 with Kenny Pickett at Pitt. But the receiver's smooth route-running, versatility and quickness will make him on the first receivers off the board if he declares, especially with potential first-round pick Kayshon Boutte opting to stay at LSU for another season.
"Some scouts think Jordan Addison is a slot-only, while others think he can live outside. Some are worried about his smallish body type; others are unfazed by his size. Disagreements aside, every evaluator I’ve asked has agreed that Addison is an electric route runner with the play speed to work all levels of the field. His play style would add a spark to New England’s passing attack," Brugler writes after sending Addison to the Patriots with the 18th-overall pick.
Parson agreed in his reasoning for mocking Addison to the Patriots 17th overall (after the recent update in the team's record following their loss to the Bills).
"Second-year quarterback Mac Jones is not having a great season by any means. To be fair, he does not have the best cast of weapons around him," he explained. Bill Belichick is not the coach that overpays for a game-changing wide receiver, so the draft is a better option. Jordan Addison is a quick and shifty route-runner. He can fill the slot receiver role and become Jones’ favorite target. He would mesh well with Tyquan Thornton’s deep-speed skill set too."
Of course, Belichick spending a high pick on Addison would be quite the investment in and of itself. Assuming the Patriots end up owning a top-20 pick, Addison would be the highest-drafted receiver Belichick has ever taken.
The team also have a number of needs to address, especially at higher-value positions like offensive tackle and cornerback. As such, taking a receiver in the top 20 might be a luxury the Patriots don't see themselves affording.
That said, there's no denying the logic. Jones does need playmakers to throw to, and Addison would absolutely be one for this team.
