The New England Patriots have three issues that need to be addressed before summer camp after completing their mandatory mini-camp.
The team has had a chance now to some extent to view their roster with all or at least most of their players on hand in the recently completed minicamp. Now comes summer vacation for the payers for about 5 plus weeks until camp begins on July 29 in Foxborough.
There seems little doubt that this Patriots team is a big improvement over last season’s.
So let’s explore in a bit more detail what three major issues remain for the team to address before camp. If the New England Patriots are serious about making a playoff run or more, these three areas and maybe others still need to be addressed.
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No. 1: New England Patriots need to trade for a top wide receiver
The first issue that needs to be sorted out has been focused on at length before and won’t be belabored here, it’s adding a top wide receiver to their receiving corps.
The Patriots made a muted statement by not going all-in on a Julio Jones trade and it’s a troubling sign. Jones salary and cap hit was reportedly the issue and it shouldn’t have been.
New England has the cap space and could have freed up more easily and the draft pick cost was not earth-shattering. The most important question to ask about that non-move is, will they fill this position or not?
If not, they will go with a crew that is OK and better than the underwhelming cast from 2020, but it’s still not a playoff-caliber receiver room. There’s one piece of the puzzle and it needs to be put in place and it has to be by trade.
The team at this point has really only the option to trade for a team’s perhaps surplus top wide receiver. One trade to the Rams was suggested. They should trade disgruntled great cornerback Stephon Gilmore if they can’t come to a resolution of his contract demands. If they can’t get together on a contract, just make the move.
No. 2: New England Patriots should go get another solid tight end
This may seem an odd suggestion in light of two factors.
First, the New Engalnd Patriots invested two third-round picks in 2020 on tight ends. Sorry, they flopped miserably there. They didn’t add a thing last year.
Second, they invested big bucks on two tight ends in free agency in acknowledgment of the failure of those draft picks. Those moves had sold support on these pages. The probability, however, is that should one of those two good tight ends get injured their offense will be severely hindered.
We have already seen Jonnu Smith leave mini-camp with a muscle injury. After Hunter Henry in a situation like that in-season, there’s nothing there.
So while it seems counterintuitive, it makes perfect sense. An injury at that position will demolish the offense and that can’t be allowed to happen. Trade, release, do whatever you have to with the other remaining tight ends, but go get a third who can actually play. Maybe it’s a blocking specialist who catches a bit. Or conversely, maybe it can be more of an H-back pass-catcher.
If they can’t get an all-around guy, go with one who specializes in one major aspect or the other. At least he’ll provide cover for when, not if, one of the top two guys is hurt.
Both of the Patriots new very good tight ends have had injury histories. Smith has missed a game here and there over his career. Henry missed the entire 2018 season with an injury.
It’s prudent to be certain that their preferred two tight-end formations are not demolished if one of either Smith or Henry goes out for any significant time at all. They need that third solid if not spectacular guy.
No. 1: Reinforce and rearrange the New England Patriots offensive line
The Patriots offensive line quality has been praised highly in this space.
Their starting five plus one is potentially outstanding. Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown at tackle (more on that later), Michael Onwenu and Shaq Mason at guard, and David Andrews at center are a top unit in the NFL.
In addition, they have a ready-made plug-and-play backup at all three interior positions in Ted Karras. That’s a real plus in game-day roster selection for certain.
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The problem is depth at offensive tackle. There’s not much and they need to get stronger there. They recently added a young veteran, R.J. Prince.
Prince had been on and off the Ravens roster and has never played in an NFL game so don’t expect much there. They need to make a move for someone with talent. Maybe they can sign a veteran as a backup using some cap space.
Alternatively, they could just make a trade with a team with a surplus for a mid-round draft pick. Please avoid any Jermaine Eluemunor‘s or Corey Cunningham’s, please. They can’t play. Whatever way they achieve it, they need to make a move at offensive tackle for depth.
New England also should seriously consider rearranging their starting offensive line. Trent Brown should be the main quarterback protector at offensive left tackle. That would benefit the entire offense with him and Michael Onwenu on the left. They’d pose a Great Wall of China-like barrier on that side with sheer size.
Together you’re looking at over 700 pounds of blocking excellence. In addition, moving Isaiah Wynn to the right may also help him stay on the field. They won’t do this, but they should.
Another issue that comes into play if Gilmore is traded is cornerback. Yet, if the suggestion here is taken, they would have cleaned up the receiver issue if he goes.
They then can proceed to address that position with some depth, and that person should be Richard Sherman. So those are the suggestions. There is still work to do. should the team strengthen these three positions, then watch out AFC East, AFC, and NFL. As former Boston Celtic Kevin Garnett once said, “Anything is possibllllle!!!