New England Patriots: Critical offseason grades post-NFL Draft

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New England Patriots Mac Jones. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /

New England Patriots final assessment and grade

So, in trying to coalesce all the Patriots efforts thus far (and there is still time for trades and picking up veterans who may be released after June 1), let’s take a shot at an overall grade.

First, the trade for Trent Brown was a masterclass. Call that grand theft larceny.

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The free agency pickups have to be looked upon as really good. There were some truly outstanding additions on offense in tight ends Smith and Henry. These are top-class payers.

Getting one of those two signings would have been excellent, signing two is a major home run. They also added two solid but unspectacular wide receivers in Agholor and Bourne. They are upgrades if nothing else.

The additions, especially on the defensive line and edge are potentially defense-altering. Adding Judon and Van Noy immediately upgrades the front seven.

The additions on the defensive line are also may be significant upgrades. Adding Jalen Mills to the secondary is also a solid move.

And, the drafting of Mac Jones and several other possible early contributors can’t be underestimated.

Here’s the grade

So with all these considerations in mind, the overall grade allotted has to be an A. It’s a super grade for a top effort.

This organization has done a fine job thus far in upgrading its team significantly, at least on paper. Fans can’t really ask for much more than that.

A young offensive tackle’s addition by trade between now and summer camp could just push the grade into the A+ level.

Adding a top wide receiver of say the 80-catch variety might just push this offseason grade to an unprecedented A++ level.

dark. Next. Mac Jones has this Super Bowl winning intangible

Without a doubt, this may just be the finest offseason of the New England Patriots since 2000. That year brought a certain No. 12 and the rest as they say was history. That feat can never really be equaled.

Nevertheless, let’s see what this 2021 version of our favorite team can do with these new players and the return of some former excellent players.

The offseason looks really excellent from this vantage point. It might just be truly special.

What do you think and how would you grade the Patriots’ 2021 offseason to date? We’d certainly like to hear your views.

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