Chowder and Champions
Fansided

New England Patriots: 5 Positions Where an Upgrade is Still Needed

By Logan Jakubajtys

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick prior to facing the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick prior to facing the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
New England Patriots
Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Bryan Cox (94) rushes against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Mississippi Rebels 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Defensive End

The New England Patriots have added Kony Ealy to go along with Trey Flowers and Rob Ninkovich on the edge. They still need more. Ealy and Ninkovich are on the last year of their deals, and Flowers has just two remaining.

I’d expect the Patriots to give Flowers a long-term deal as he’s emerged as a pure pass rusher. The team will look to add depth and a future starter in this year’s draft.

More from New England Patriots

Free Agents

  • Devin Taylor
  • Ricky Jean-Francois

Former Lions DE Devin Taylor and former Redskins DE Ricky Jean Francois are the top remaining free agents at the position. Taylor was a 16 game starter for the first time last season, but he may have taken a step back. He recorded just 4.5 sacks last season but had 7.0 in 2015.

Jean-Francois was released by Washington last Wednesday as a cap casualty. He has 57 tackles and 3.5 sacks over the last two seasons. Neither of these players excites me, so I’d take my chances in the draft.

NFL Draft Targets

  • DeMarcus Walker, Florida State
  • Josh Carraway, TCU
  • Bryan Cox, Florida

The Patriots could land one of the top-10 defensive ends in the draft in Florida State’s DeMarcus Walker. He’s projected as a third rounder. Redshirt seniors Josh Carraway and Bryan Cox will be available even later on in the draft. Cox’s father Bryan was a linebacker on the Patriots 2001 Super Bowl winning squad, and he’s now the defensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons.

Next: The Patriots Have Won Free Agency

The Patriots have far fewer weaknesses and holes than other NFL teams but there are still holes. Free agents and NFL Draft targets should help them strengthen the squad.

Home/New England Patriots