After a thrilling free agency, what’s next for the Patriots?
Having seen an offseason like no other by the Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, one wonders what’s next for the team? Where are the holes on the team? Do the Patriots spend significant draft capital and move up and grab either one of the QB prospects, Trey Lance from North Dakota or Justin Fields from Ohio State?
Given Belichick’s track record, I can’t see him shooting up the draft to take one of these young QBs when there are holes all over the team. Yes, many of them have been filled via free agency, however, not only is he building a team for this year, he’s also building a team for a future.
The 2022 draft class could see a load of new QBs coming off the board in the first three rounds. As of now, the 2022 QB draft class could have the following:
- Sam Howell, North Carolina
- Kedon Slovis, USC
- Bo Nix, Auburn
- Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma
- Tanner Morgan, Minnesota
- Brock Purdy, Iowa State
- Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
- JT Daniels, Georgia
- Jacob Zeno, Baylor
This would be on top of the current class of NFL QB’s who could be made available next season via trade, or could be had via free agency, such as:
- Jimmy Garoppolo (trade)
- Jared Goff (trade)
- Gardner Minshew (trade)
- Jameis Winston (free agent)
- Marcus Mariota (free agent)
- Jacoby Brissett (free agent)
- Mitchell Trubisky (free agent)
However, I believe with a full training camp, full reps in preseason and a new barrage of offensive weapons, Cam Newton can put together a nice season, which could lead to an extension. I don’t think you can hold Cam’s 2020 performance against him. He did show flashes of why he was once an MVP, ie Seattle game. Give him time to really get in sync with this new core and I think he does wonder.
With the draft around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about tying up some loose ends with our current free agents, and possibly look to add another running back. Historically, it seems like Belichick has always liked to carry 4 to 5 running backs on the roster. It seems like the Patriots are ready to let James White leave and look for other opportunities. I’d personally would love him back with the Patriots, but I can see him going to Tampa Bay and reuniting with our former QB.
In terms of a replacement, even though a injury prone during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, I think Jerick McKinnon could slide in nicely into White’s role. If you look at his last two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, raked up 1,109 yards on the ground, 676 yards through the air and 9 total TDs. In 2020, playing a full 16 games (4 starts) with the 49ers, being 4th in a committee of RB’s he racked up a total of 572 total yards and 6 TDs.
On the defensive end, bring back JC Jackson and figuring out an extension with Stephon Gilmore are two big musts. Also figuring out what to do with the second half of the McCourty twin, Jason. I think ultimately Jason McCourty will be brought back on a 1-year deal to re-unite with his brother in the secondary. Along the defensive line, it seems like the Patriots and Lawrence Guy will be parting ways. It seems like the Henry Anderson signing put an end to his fabulous tenure with the team.
TRADES:
- New England sends 15th, 96th & 197th to Jacksonville for 25th & 65th
Why? Say trading up for a QB isn’t the option, maybe trading back and picking up three players in the top 65 (including the Patriots 46) isn’t a bad option.
- New England sends 109th, 122nd & 139th to Chicago for 83rd
Why? With four 4th round picks, I like the idea of packaging a few of them together and moving up into the 3rd round.
- New England sends N’Keal Harry, Ja’whaun Bentley & 188th to Detroit for 112th & 2022 3rd
Why? I still think Harry and Bentley are valuable pieces, however, their time on the roster may be limited with all the new additions coming in. Detroit who could be looking for some WR help after losing Kenny Golladay could be a nice landing spot for someone like Harry.
DRAFT:
(1) 25 — Zaven Collins, LB Tulsa (6'4", 260)
As stated before, we need to start thinking about Hightower’s replacement. Linebackers like Micah Parsons out of Penn State was available at 15, however, I elected to trade back with Jacksonville for their 25th & 65th. Jacksonville could look to do this deal for a few reasons. After drafting Clemson QB, Trevor Lawrence with the 1st overall pick, they are probably want to immediately start looking for their new franchise player. Virginia Tech’s, Christian Darrisaw could be a nice addition for Urban Meyer and the Jaguars.
Scouting Report on Collins via Pro Football Network: “Collins is a game-impacting defender and one of the more understated prospects in this year’s draft. He’s not the small run-and-chase linebackers teams prefer these days, rather he’s a throwback of sorts and possesses the size as well as speed to be a pass rusher as well as play in coverage. Collins is a true three-down defender who should quickly break into a starting lineup and comes with outstanding scheme versatility.”
(2) 46 — Terrance Marshall Jr., WR LSU (6'3", 201)
If Marshall is indeed there at 46, I think it’s a no brainier and we have to take him and add him to our WR room. Hopefully this turns into a WR that Belichick actually gets right. If Marshall is gone by then, Rondale Brown (Purdue), Amon-Ra St. Brown (USC), and Amari Rodgers (Clemson) could all be nice additions in the 2nd round.
Scouting Report on Marshall via The Draft Network: “In seven games in 2020, Marshall averaged more than 100 receiving yards per game and hauled in double-digit touchdown receptions for the second consecutive season. Marshall is a versatile receiver that has proven himself both from the slot and out wide while attacking all levels of the field with consistency. He offers terrific size, physicality, hands, ball skills, run after catch ability, route-running skills, and overall technical-refinement.”
(3) 65 — Tyler Shelvin, DT LSU (6'3", 362)
This is part of the trade we pulled off with Jacksonville in the 1st round where we moved back from 15th to 25th. Excluding the 96th & 197th which we also sent over, going from Micah Parsons to Zaven Collins and Tyler Shelvin is a major plus.
Scouting Report on Shelvin via The Draft Network: “Shelvin plays with tremendous urgency on every snap and competes hard in pursuit despite limited range. He’s dominant against single blocks and more than holds his own against doubles. For a guy who is going to be asked to fill an unselfish role in the NFL, he embraces taking on blocks, absorbing double teams, eating space, and keeping the second-level clean. Shelvin has the makings of a dominant run-stuffing 3–4 nose tackle or 4–3 one-technique, but his value is limited to running downs.”
(3) 83 — Adrian Ealy, OT Oklahoma (6'6", 327)
With Trent Brown and Isaiah Wynn both set to be free agents, and two players who have battled injuries throughout their careers, bringing in an offensive tackle might not be such a bad idea.
Scouting Report on Ealy via Pro Football Network: “Ealy is a powerful blocker who does a terrific job in pass protection as well as on running downs. He doesn’t play with leverage, but finds a way to make it work. Ealy is a Day 2 selection who could eventually slide into the starting spot at right tackle for an NFL team.”
(4) 112 — Shaun Wade, S/CB Ohio St. (6'1", 195)
Like Hightower, find a potential replacement for Devin McCourty is equally important. Having played both safety and corner at Ohio State, Wade could be a nice mid-round steal.
Scouting Report on Wade via Pro Football Network: “When breaking down Wade I saw two players on film. The first was a potentially dominant cornerback with the ability to shut down opponents with physicality as well as ball skills. The other prospect, and the one most prominent last year, played like an undrafted free agent that looked like he’d rather be elsewhere than the football field. Wade possesses a tremendous amount of upside potential, but unless the light goes on, he will go the way of Eli Apple, another Ohio State cornerback who failed to live up to expectations.”
(4) 120 — Kellen Mond, QB Texas A&M (6'3", 205)
As I said earlier, if the Patriots are not trading up for a QB, they should still look for a QB later in the draft. Mond has been linked to the Patriots a few times since the Senior Bowl, and could be a starter down the road, if not for the Patriots, another NFL team who could give up a pick to get him.
Scouting Report on Mond via Pro Football Network: “Displays a sense of timing and does not have receivers waiting for the ball to arrive. Knows where his targets are on the field and quickly locates the open wideout. Spreads the ball around and uses all his receivers. Sets up screen throws, puts touch on passes, and delivers a catchable ball. Effectively commands the offense. Mond is an athletic quarterback who displayed a lot of progress in his game last season. He possesses a terrific amount of upside and has starting potential at the next level if he gets hooked up with the proper coach and continues developing his game.”
(5) 177—Ben Mason, FB Michigan (6'3", 245)
As the game becomes more pass happy, the Patriots seems to be leaning more run-oriented. Belichick has always valued tough-nosed fullbacks like James Develin
Scouting Report on Mason via Pro Football Network: “Mason was a productive three-year fullback at Michigan who also saw time on the defensive line. He’s one of the better fullbacks in the draft and will be an asset at the next level as a lead blocker and occasional pass catcher out of the backfield.”
(7) 242 — K.J. Britt, LB Auburn (6'0", 243)
Depth at linebacker/special teams player or practice squad piece.
Scouting Report on Britt via Sports Illustrated: “Good ability to key & diagnose blocking schemes — shows good processing in this area. He sees through the line and typically puts himself in a good position to make tackles; however, the tackling ability isn’t always great in that position. He brings good competitive toughness to the position but could do a better job stacking and shedding offensive lineman at the second level.”
As previously stated, I don’t see Belichick using a ton of draft capital to move up to grab a QB when there are still a lot of other holes on the team. Not only holes on the team, but also building a team for the future. If you’re thinking three years down the line, the Patriots defense could have studs along the front 7 in Winovich, Judon, Shelvin, Godchuax, Collins, Uche, Jennings to name a few. A secondary lead by, Jackson, Mills, Wade, Dugger. Build the roster and the QB will come, or who knows, maybe the QB is already on the roster.
After free agency and the draft, this is what the roster could look like before going into camp. Undrafted free agents have not been accounted for below.
ROSTER | DEPTH:
Quaterback (5): Cam Newton, Jarret Stiddam, Brian Hoyer, Kellen Mond, Jake Dolegala
Running back (5): Damien Harris, Sony Michel, J.J. Taylor, Jerrick McKinnon Brandon Bolden
Fullback (3): Jakob Johnson, Ben Mason, Dan Vitale
Wide Receiver (9): Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Julian Edelman, Jakobi Meyers, Terrance Marshall Jr., Gunner Olszewski, Isaiah Zuber, Kristian Wilkerson, Matthew Slater
Tight End (5): Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, Matt LaCosse
Offensive Line (13): Isaiah Wynn, Trent Brown, Michael Onwenu, Shaq Mason, David Andrews, Ted Karras, Adrian Ealy, Justin Herron, Korey Cunningham, Joe Cardona, Jermaine Eluemunor, Yodny Cujuste, Marcus Martin
Defensive Line (10): Chase Winovich, Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson, Detrich Wise Jr., Tyler Shelvin, Byron Cowart, Akeem Spence, Carl Davis, Bill Murray, Montravius Adams
Linebacker (9): Dont’a Hightower, Matthew Judon, Kyle Van Noy, Zaven Collins, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Raekwon McMillian, Cassh Malua, K.J. Britt
Conerback (7): Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, Jason McCourty, Jonathan Jones, Dee Virgin, Justin Bethel, Michael Jackson Sr.
Safety (7): Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Jalen Mills, Kyle Dugger, Cody Davis, Joejaun Williams, Shaun Wade
Kicker (3): Nick Folk, Justin Rohrwasser, Robert Aguayo
Punter (1): Jake Bailey
Training camp should be a fun one this season, with a revamped roster, a motivated Cam Newton and a legendary coach who still has something to prove! Can’t wait to see who from the above make the final 53-man roster.
