Three clear “Don’t Draft” positional suggestions for the New England Patriots later this month in the NFL Draft have been previously explored in an article. Now let’s look at three positional strategies they should employ beginning April 29 (or later should they trade down once again).
The Patriots’ shoddy draft history has been exposed more clearly in recent weeks and months as the light has begun to shine on a dismal record in the league’s annual college player lottery.
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Fortunately for the team and its fans, this abysmal record was obscured for literally decades by the brilliance of one Tom Brady, who consistently made up for numerous personnel shortcomings.
Brady turned ordinary players into stars earning them big paydays on the way out the door. But that ship has sailed and the warts are now being exposed for all to see.
A recent article from this author previously explained this in greater detail. Yet, additional commentators are now taking a much closer look and are further exposing the results of a flawed strategy and drafting record.
3 Strategies the New England Patriots should employ in the draft
In a rare display of displeasure with his own organization, Kraft made it clear that things in the draft have to get better.
So let’s take a gander at three strategies the New England Patriots should employ starting in less than three weeks to help make that happen.
The results could materially impact how this club performs in 2021.
First, the New England Patriots go early and big on a quarterback
This is a clear necessity and won’t be belabored here much at all. But of any recommendations for the New England Patriots in this month’s draft, the most important one is adding a top young quarterback.
It’s time. The Patriots need to go big and go high in the draft and do whatever it takes to get the quarterback they want, if at all possible.
Of the top 4 or 5 quarterbacks in the draft, one will be available say at No. 4. Now it may take a king’s ransom of picks and maybe players to move up that high to get him. So, just trade them.
It’s been said often here before, there’s no more important position on the field than the quarterback. You just do whatever it takes to get the man you want.
And why not draft another lower, as well. You just never know when a sixth-round pick might change the football world.
For two decades the New England Patriots had the best-of-the-best. Then, he was discarded and went elsewhere. We all are aware of how that worked out. Not well. Not well at all for New England.
But this is 2021 and it’s time to move on and move forward. The best way to do that is to go all-in on a young quarterback, hopefully, hit on another gem, and never look back.
It’s time to come in out of the rain. It poured down on Gillette Stadium last season. It’s time to get back into the sunshine. Just roll the dice and draft a top young arm. And one that can also run would be just fine, thank you.
Second, the New England Patriots go heavy on offensive linemen
The offensive line is the most critical unit on the field. They dictate the pace and result of the offense and by extending drives they keep your defense fresh. All good, if they are. If not, you have big problems.
Now the New England Patriots offensive line if all are healthy is very good in the starting five. It’s been argued here that Trent Brown should be the left tackle and Isaiah Wynn the right. Hopefully, they get that.
If not, it will be the other way around. OK, but not the optimum employment of Brown, a difference-maker on the left side. Inside, the Patriots have top strength and deployment options.
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Though they lost Joe Thuney, an All-Pro to free agency, they have a player who can fit right into his spot. The first thought would probably be last year’s best draft pick Michael Onwenu.
Drafted as a guard, Onwenu claimed the right tackle position after Marcus Cannon opted out and never looked back.
Another option, however, and maybe a better one is placing Wynn in that spot next to Brown. That makes sense for lots of reasons, especially due to Wynn’s injury history. A move inside might just help keep him on the field. It’s worth a try.
But it’s in the depth area that the Patriots are lacking and that’s why they have to go heavy in the draft for offensive line depth. They don’t have much.
The only player worth mentioning is the re-signed guard/center, Ted Karras. Karras is a starting-caliber guy (he was Miami’s starting center last season) probably at either.
He’s no Pro Bowler, but adequate at both positions. He also allows you to add a player on the game-day roster somewhere else since he covers both Andrews and either guard spot. Nice to have.
After that, there’s not much, especially at tackle. The Patriots missed on 2019 third-round tackle Yodney Cajuste who has never suited up for a game.
Now Cajuste could play, but he was hurt even before the combine and the Patriots still rolled the dice with that high a pick. Not a great idea any time. You take a guy like that late. Very late if at all.
The New England Patriots need to draft a big offensive tackle with their first pick wherever it may be after they take a quarterback this April. And trade up for one if necessary.
And if they don’t take a quarterback in the first round as they should, then offensive left tackle should be their first pick. Take the best available or move up to get an even better one.
They need that depth for several reasons. First, Brown is on a one-year deal and could be gone once again after 2021. This is a poor move by New England, again not locking up Brown long-term.
Second, Wynn is on that last year of his rookie deal. The Patriots have to pick up his fifth-year option by May 3rd. They shouldn’t. And if not, he’s likely gone after this season, as well.
That’s two starters with uncertain futures at the tackle position, and as for depth, Justin Herron is OK, but he’s not special. They need “special” at that position and should draft accordingly.
You can never have too many top offensive linemen. They get dinged up and the team can’t afford to be deficient at that position when they do. Draft early, and then again in the middle rounds.
At least two tackles. Someone like Notre Dame’s Liam Eichenberg might fit the New England Patriots nicely.
Third, the New England Patriots draft two running backs
The Patriots running back room is nothing special. The best of the lot is Damien Harris who had a nice second season but couldn’t get in the gameday squad much as a rookie.
Harris is OK. Yet, he’s neither that fast nor that big. A tweener in a running back room last season full of tweeners.
Sony Michel is on the last year of his rookie deal and unless the Patriots pick up his option, this will likely be his last in New England.
New England should certainly pass on picking up that option (as they should on Wynn) and move forward.
A trade of Michel during the draft might be the best option for both the team and the player. He’s been a disappointment as a first-rounder. It’s time to move on and get better.
James White is back on a one-year deal after heading into free agency. He’s an all-time terrific pass-catching back and if he can bounce back from a mediocre 2020 season, he’ll be an asset.
Rex Burkhead was injured and is a free agent. He shouldn’t be re-signed but could be mid-season addition to cover for an injury.
That’s the current stable (along with little-used J.J. Taylor) and it needs strengthening. Now there are some who actually believe that running back is not an important position in the NFL.
For several years (since the departure of 18 touchdowns scoring LeGarrette Blount after the 2016 season, New England Patriots’ short-yardage game has been terrible – absent the quarterbacks.
The past two seasons it’s been non-existent. No running back can pick up a first down on third or fourth and short, and forget about punching the ball into the end zone from a yard or two out. Not happening.
The only call that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could make last season was a run by Cam Newton that everyone in the stadium and watching on TV knew was on the way.
It became a truly lousy call after a while and frankly, may just have cost them eking out a playoff spot. Bad calls by McDaniels for certain.
But somewhat in his defense, no one other than Newton could score a touchdown on a run or on a pass either for that matter. They had no real solid options.
That’s why in this draft, 2021, they have to move to rectify this. Two new backs are essential. Their backs last year lacked speed and bull-rushing ability. They should draft at least one of each type later this month.
They need a big back to take over short-yardage and get those first downs or touchdowns. And that means to draft a good big back early, maybe in the third round. Spencer Brown of UAB might fit the New England Patriots nicely.
Then, they also need a pure speed back with “take it to the house”-type speed who can also catch the ball. Current Patriots’ backs can’t even take it to the front walkway never mind the house.
Also, White’s not getting any younger and they are going to need another pass-catcher sooner rather than later. Try to get one in the fourth round. And maybe another late to provide competition.
The New England Patriots almost never draft running backs. Michel was an exception as was Lawrence Maroney back in the day, two first-rounders who didn’t measure up.
Forget the top rounds, go third and/or fourth, and go often. At least two and maybe three. They need to get better there and it will make the entire offense better.
Those are three “Do draft” suggestions for the New England Patriots. Adding payers at these positions will augment the already potentially earthshaking improvements to the moribund 2020 squad made in free agency.
It’s time to get smart in the draft. Throw out the wacky “restrictive” draft board and listen to the scouts, and fill these positions, please.