The New England Patriots came into the season with a deficit of offensive playmakers. Rhamondre Stevenson out the backfield was a solid weapon but not much was left in the cupboard to restart the Post-Belichick era in New England. Jerod Mayo was retained from Bill’s staff to take over as the New England head coach to start the rebuilding of this team. This team had little to no expectations this season to make a playoff push.
The offense was pedestrian this season, as predicted. The Patriots’ 31st-ranked offense only slightly averaged .9 more yards than the Chicago Bears’. They were 13th in the rushing game but dead last in the NFL in the passing game. Hunter Henry led the team with 58 catches and 610 yards thus far in the season. The only person on the Patriots who has more than one receiving TD this season is Ja’Lynn Polk. Clearly, this is not a recipe for success.
The defense for the Patriots was towards the bottom of the league as well, although they did better than their offensive rankings. They are the 20th-ranked defense as far as total yards. Their passing defense is ranked 14th and their rushing defense is ranked 20th. They are also 13th ranked when it comes to allowing the fewest points. Jerod Mayo was the former linebacker coach, so I understand the defense being ahead of their offense. With or without Belichick, this defense seems to always be “stout-ish” or stout adjacent.
What Do They Need?
The New England Patriots’ last three first-rounders have been hits thus far in their short fledgling career stages. 2022’s Cole Strange is one of the best-run blockers in the league. 2023’s Christian Gonzales is looking to be shut down as he continues to grow as a corner. 2024’s Drake Maye looks to be the guy moving forward. I said all that to say depending on what pick they get in this draft not needing a QB or a corner they would be a prime candidate to swap picks with someone looking to get in the corner or quarterback sweepstakes for some premium picks in this draft and next year.
What the Patriots need is Arizona’s WR Tetairoa McMillan or Missouri’s Luther Bolden. You have to get your young quarterback some young playmakers that will make a difference. Both of these players will have a day-one impact wherever they go. Might as well make New England one of their homes.
The second-round pick should be someone who can get pressure on the quarterback. Alabama’s LT Overton would be a great pickup and so would Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer or JT Tuimoloau. Either one of these players rushing off the edge and being taught by former New England Patriots linebacker and linebackers coach Jerod Mayo would be great tutelage as a pro.
I can see them adding another corner opposite Gonzo in later rounds if someone stands out on their board and they should double-dip on getting wide receivers in this draft.
The Patriots are in year 3 of a multiyear rebuild. They are still missing a few key spots. Having the correct quarterback hopefully will shorten up the rebuild period but they have been throwing perfect strikes in the first round. The later rounds have been what has left the cupboard bare and need to be changed in the Jerod Mayo era.