1. Going into the week, wide receiver was universally listed as one of the Patriots’ top needs, but following three days of the NFL Draft the only player added at the position was Tre Nixon in Round 7. Looking at the current depth chart, it certainly feels like a No. 1 receiver is missing. But, maybe the Patriots have other ideas. Instead of looking at the position on its own, they may be looking at their pass-catchers as a whole, especially with the tight end spot. The two biggest additions for the team this offseason were tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. Internally, they may look at it as Henry and Smith are No. 1 A and B with Jakobi Meyers, N’Keal Harry, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne filling in behind them. It makes sense numbers-wise too, as the Patriots very well could carry four tight ends and then with those receivers plus Gunner Olszewski, is there even room for another wide receiver? Also, while Julian Edelman has been the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver for several years, he isn’t the typical No. 1 NFL receiver. Thinking of it like that, the Patriots have been operating this way for a number years with Rob Gronkowski serving as the No. 1 option. It’s also worth remembering the offensive line and running back positions are strengths on the team and will be counted on immensely. So while going into the weekend the thought was a wide receiver would be added early on to fill out the roster, it can be seen why the Patriots had other ideas.
2. Some read too much into Bill Belichick’s comments following the selection of Mac Jones when he said Cam Newton is the Patriots’ quarterback. It certainly doesn’t mean that he’s declaring Newton the Week 1 starter already. By saying what he said, he took the pressure and hype off of Jones, while staying committed to Newton. There will certainly be a legitimate competition this spring and summer, and over the years Belichick has shown he will go with the player who gives the team the best chance to win regardless of situation. And if Jones doesn’t start Week 1, that doesn’t mean he isn’t “NFL ready.” It likely signals the Patriots are being patient with him and that isn’t the worst thing in the world when it comes to his development. Jones is the Patriots’ QB of the future and preserving that is what’s most important.
3. The biggest knock on the selection of Jones was that he’s not an athletic quarterback, which is the way the NFL is trending at the position. While that is true of late (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Deshaun Watson, etc.), it doesn’t mean it is the only way to play the position. And isn’t Josh McDaniels one of the more qualified coordinators to lead an offense with a pure pocket passer based on his history? Sure, the NFL is a copycat league, but it’s about getting wins and that can be done in many different ways.
4. The Patriots finished 20th last year in defending the run, including allowing over 180 yards in a single game four times, and it’s evident Belichick doesn’t want it to happen again. Not only did he prioritize the front-seven in free agency, the Patriots took defensive linemen in Rounds 2 and 3 of the draft. New England traded up for Christian Barmore in Round 2, who was viewed as the top defensive lineman in the entire draft, and then grabbed Oklahoma’s Ronnie Perkins in Round 3. Defensive line went from a weak position going into free agency to now being one of the deepest on the roster.
5. Given how the Patriots’ roster is currently constructed, there really aren’t many open spots for draft picks, which was evident by the way the Patriots drafted, especially in the mid-to-late rounds. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and linebacker Cameron McGrone fit that as these selections feel more geared towards 2022. The Patriots have redshirted their running backs over the years and then McGrone tore his ACL in November, so he could be a candidate to stay on PUP for the entire season.
6. With Belichick announcing Saturday that this was Ernie Adams’ final draft with the team, it’s no coincidence the Patriots brought Evan Rothstein in along with Matt Patricia this offseason. Rothstein was a research assistant with the Lions and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s being groomed to help fill some of the voids left by Adams in all areas of the organization.
7. A non-Patriots thought that has been percolating for awhile: What has Kyle Shanahan done in the NFL, and why does he get treated like he’s one of the best coaches in the league? As a head coach he’s had just one winning season and he may most be known for blowing leads in the Super Bowl twice — once as an offensive coordinator and once as a head coach. The way he and the 49ers organization have treated Jimmy Garoppolo in recent years has been very arrogant and he took it to a new level last week when he was asked if Garoppolo would be on the roster following the draft. A few days later he admitted he handled it wrong, but it’s not like it’s the first time he’s disrespected his quarterback publicly.