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New England Patriots: 5 post-free agency needs to fill in 2021 NFL Draft

By Michael DeVito

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide shakes hands after the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide shakes hands after the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
Quarterback Trey Lance  (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

The New England Patriots made a splash in free agency, big-time. So then, what’s needed now from the draft to get the former champs back on track. The answer is a lot.

After Bob Kraft’s negative comments about past drafting, the Patriots’ personnel crew had certainly better be on looking to make this one a success.

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With the ostensibly good (how good is yet to be determined) additions in free agency, the team now has to use their 10 picks in this draft to fill in the blanks of this team and make it ready to contend once more.

One way to do this is as obvious as the nose on one’s face, and Mr. Kraft has also chimed in, the Patriots need to sort out their quarterback situation for the future.

Having only signed Cam Newton for one season, who takes the helm in 2022 and beyond is a major question.

And this is the first thing to take care of in this month’s draft. Even the owner seems to agree.

Forget about trades for another veteran, even Jimmy Garoppolo, a long-time favorite. The past era is over folks. It’s time to move on and set the foundation stone in place for the future.

First, the New England Patriots must select a young quarterback high in the draft.

The first is obvious and won’t be belabored here. The Patriots need to address the quarterback situation. Now.

The owner has weighed in. Hopefully, the head of football operations, Bill Belichick understands, and the new personnel director, Dave Ziegler almost certainly is well-aware of the importance.

If not, hello, anyone home? This team needs a building block for the future.

This is in no way meant to disparage Newton. Cam got a raw deal last season being called Brought in on short notice with almost no preseason and no one to help after Julian Edelman went out with an injury.

He was thrown to the wolves and still, still nearly managed absent a few numb play calls to get the lousy 2020 Patriots into the playoffs. Instead of being vilified in the media, he should have been glorified.

Newton did amazingly well with the poor compliment of offensive-skill players available to him. Why this is so invisible to many observers is perplexing.

They should be able to grasp that the guy had no one who was open to throw to. Cam was not the problem as his re-signing clearly indicates.

And yes, Trey Lance of North Dakota State would fit nicely.

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