The New England Patriots’ offseason has involved lots of moves, however none have superior the crew as a whole.
Rookie head coach Jerod Mayo re-signed key gamers (wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, guard/tackle Mike Onwenu and tight stop Hunter Henry), but did now not deliver on splendid exterior talent, solely including names like quarterback Jacoby Brissett, vast receiver K.J. Osborn and running again Antonio Gibson.
Since New England left many positions unfilled for the 2024 season, they ought to locate starters by means of the draft. Here’s what the Patriots’ priorities should be for the 2024 NFL Draft, which starts on April 25.
Draft a franchise QB
The Patriots’ most glaring difficulty is at signal-caller. Their QB room of Brissett, Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke is one of the worst in the NFL in phrases of talent.
Per MassLive’s Mark Daniels, the Patriots have a plan in vicinity to radically change their missing crew of QBs. The team is anticipated to draft a QB with the third typical pick in the course of the draft and utilize Brissett — an experienced veteran — as a bridge starter and mentor to the rookie.
There is no clear evidence as to what QB will be New England’s choice at 1/3 overall, but it is for sure that at least one of USC’s Caleb Williams, UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels will be available.
Any of the three would be out of the ordinary additions to the Patriots and their QB plan.
Find a proficient receiver
The Patriots the front workplace did their first-rate to add a talented WR this free agency, however it seems they fell short. The draft is their solely other option to add offensive spark.
The Patriots only have one first-round pick, which is being used on a QB. That leaves the crew with two picks to locate a proficient WR: use Day 2 and Day 3 picks, or obtain another first-round pick out via a trade.
New England has succeeded in securing pinnacle receivers with non-first-round choices in the past, like WR Julian Edelman (seventh round) and TE Rob Gronkowski (second round), but the strategy is probable to fail, particularly except Bill Belichick calling the shots.
Mayo will have to check the danger involved and craft the great path forward.
Find younger protecting talent
For the remaining countless seasons, the defense has been the bright spot for New England’s struggling team. In 2023, the unit was pinnacle 10 in allowed factors and yards per game.
The Patriots need to keep that level of domination through drafting younger Genius in the later rounds of the draft and developing it with their coveted protective coaching staff.
They employed the same tactic with CBs J.C. Jackson (undrafted), Marcus Jones (third round) and Malcolm Butler (undrafted), and it paid the group dividends down the road.
