The New England Patriots have undergone a dramatic and virtually unprecedented transformation in personnel in the 2021 off-season. Many observers including this one have never seen its like before.
They have moved to strengthen virtually every facet of their team, including the first-round selection of a young, and quite likely very underrated quarterback in Mac Jones.
Yet, there are three positions that if the team strengthens through trade or the other teams’ post-June first cuts, could round this team into an even more formidable contender for a Division win, a playoff spot, or maybe even more.
Three positions the New England Patriots should strengthen: OT
The Patriots did not address this position almost at all during the off-season, except with one potentially team-altering trade for Trent Brown.
When healthy, an important question, Brown is a game-changing offensive tackle, especially on the left side. That’s exactly where he is needed and should be positioned by the team.
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Since Brown left after his superlative 2018 Super Bowl season the team has been deficient at the position. Ironically, it’s not for lack of talent.
Isaiah Wynn a 2018 first-round pick though not of prototypical size for a left tackle, has immense talent. Yet, he has missed more games than he has played over his three seasons.
That fact has had a major negative impact on the offensive line and the team as a whole. The left tackle position is the second most important on the entire team. It’s essential to have solidity there.
The infusion of Brown, if he is the team’s choice at left tackle, upgrades the line potentially in two places.
First, Brown is a super player at left tackle though oddly, only in New England has be been used there much at all. He rewarded their faith in him with a Super Bowl level (and winning) performance in the 2018 season, the last of the six Patriot Super Bowl wins.
Brown played an underrated, undervalued, and largely underappreciated role in that winning season. It was only really appreciated by those who pay attention to offensive line play.
He left for the Raiders thereafter, and the Patriots relied on Wynn. Unfortunately, Wynn though immensely talented, especially at his size, has not been reliable. He has not been on the field enough.
It has been argued here that moving Wynn inside to guard or to right tackle would maximize the abilities of both him and Brown. Wynn could excel at either right tackle or at guard and maybe help limit his all too frequent injuries in the process.
In addition, the Patriots when all-time great offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia was on the scene, knew Brown’s enormous potential to play the second most important position on the entire team, left tackle.
All that being said, the need for New England, no matter who plays on the left is a depth tackle who can step in for either.
The Patriots did not draft an offensive lineman until William Sherman in the sixth round. Sherman himself is an undersized player for a tackle though he played there much of his college career at Colorado. Yet, he is best suited to play inside.
So the first imperative for New England before the start of summer camp is to acquire or sign another top, young (if possible) talented offensive left tackle. It’s a key
Second, The New England Patriots should sign or trade for a wide receiver
The Patriots added two good wide receivers in free agency in Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. Yet, neither is a star nor likely to break 50 or 60 catches this season. They still could use a top receiver.
There have been rumors that Julio Jones might be on the trading block. Jones if healthy, instantly becomes New England’s best wide receiver, by far. He caught 51 in only nine games last season. He would instantly upgrade that position dramatically and the entire Patriots offense would benefit.
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Should the Patriots consider such a move, why not trade with Atlanta for Jones and send Sony Michel and maybe a fourth-round pick in 2022 for the Falcons?
Michel’s fifth-year option was declined by the team. He will not likely be with them after this season anyway.
In addition, they drafted Rhamondre Stevenson, a big bruising back in the fourth round this season. He’s probably my favorite pick along with Jones. Stevenson can step right into Michel’s position and add a dimension that Michel can’t, short-yardage ability.
If such a deal were doable, even if it included adding another player such as one of the two third-round tight ends who flopped last season for the Patriots, it would be well worth the investment.
The team should make this trade or one or another top receiver with 70-80 catch potential on a team that may have a surplus of receivers on their squad.
Third, Trade for or sign a kick returner
While this position is of diminished importance with the 25-yard rule on touchbacks, having a talented kick returner can still be a big plus.
The team missed an opportunity when free agent Cordarrelle Patterson signed with Atlanta. He’s one of the best as New England learned in 2018 the last Super Bowl-winning season when he played for the Patriots.
At present, while Gunner Olszewski was an All-Pro punt returner they still need a kick returner. They have been abysmal since Patterson left. Who will even man that spot is a mystery at the moment.
The Patriots should move to secure someone with that ability who can also further contribute on special teams. It’s part of that third facet of the game they always speak about and it can be a huge asset if you have someone who can break a big run on a kickoff.
Those are some thoughts on what the Patriots can do to further strengthen the squad before camp.
What positions do you think need strengthening? I’d like to hear your thoughts on this.