NFL Power Rankings: New England Patriots remain a mystery post draft
The New England Patriots continue to witness what life without Tom Brady is like as they continue to be outside of the top 10 in the NFL Power Rankings.
The 2020 NFL Draft has come and gone, and the New England Patriots created even more questions as to which direction they are going post-Tom Brady.
Coming in at No. 15 in the NFL Power Rankings, Bill Belichick and crew are now tangled up in that middle-of-the-pack range of the NFL with even larger questions at the quarterback position as the team did not select a quarterback in the draft.
Instead, Belichick made some questionable selections in the draft in passing up available players like quarterback prospects Jalen Hurts, Jake Fromm and Jacob Eason repeatedly.
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With veteran quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Andy Dalton now available, it is possible the post-Brady Patriots can put together a contending team if they add one of those two players. Either of those scenarios would be if the team doesn’t feel second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham isn’t ready yet.
Both of those options are certainly better than Brian Hoyer.
In selecting players like Lenoir-Rhyne’s Kyle Dugger with the No. 37 pick, linebacker Josh Uche and a couple nice tight ends in Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene, Bill Belichick did address some of the team’s need.
Still, it’s the quarterback situation that keeps the New England Patriots a mystery as the 2020 NFL season stands as of now.
NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus highlights what the team did in the draft and what keeps them a competitive team despite the exodus of some important players at key positions:
"“I joked on Twitter that Bill Belichick traded out of the first round because he didn’t want anyone to see the inside of his house. In reality, it was just the Patriots coach doing the most Belichickian thing possible — beginning their most highly scrutinized draft in ages by selecting a safety out of Division II Lenoir-Rhyne. Classic. Kyle Dugger is a very good prospect, but it speaks to the reality in New England: Tom Brady might be gone, but the fundamentals of team-building are unchanged on Patriot Way. The Pats didn’t use any of their 10 picks on a quarterback — a decision that shows faith in 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham … or hints at the impending acquisition of a known veteran. Hi, Andy Dalton.”"
Where the New England Patriots stand
Coming in at No. 15, the New England Patriots actually jumped up a spot from where they were previously ranked at No. 15. In swapping spots with the Houston Texans, the Patriots are looking up at teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks.
Ironically, those teams along with the Patriots have had Super Bowl success in the past seasons. Also, ahead of them at No. 12 are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.
Depending on what they do at quarterback, the Patriots could be in this range when the games actually start to be played as they are no longer the favorites in the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills securing the No. 6 spot in the power rankings.
Where the New England Patriots should stand
There is no argument with where the New England Patriots are currently ranked.
If the team did still have Tom Brady, some of the draft decisions and free agency moves (or non-moves) wouldn’t be as questioned as they are.
Is Bill Belichick losing his touch or is it still “In Bill We Trust.”
Next. New England Patriots: Team reached too much in 2020 NFL Draft. dark
With his resume, no one should doubt what Belichick is doing, but the current roster doesn’t not leave New England Patriots fans with much excitement at another Super Bowl run.
In fact, with more talented teams behind them like the Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons and yes, the Cleveland Browns, it would not be surprising if the Patriots fell even further before the games actually start being played…if the games are played.