New England Patriots: 3 unmet offseason needs cost team vs. Miami

The New England Patriots’ three unmet offseason needs and in-game mistakes helped cost the team a win in their first game against the Miami Dolphins.

It has been a constant theme in these pages that the Patriots had a very good offseason but it was lacking in three key areas.

Only one has been addressed with a low-end acquisition and in one other an internal solution may work out but these needs still remain. Let’s go from the best to the worst situations of the three.

New England Patriots and their three key areas of remaining need

New England Patriots need for a solid third tight end

The Patriots had three needs prior to the beginning of the season that had to be addressed if they were to reach the heights that may very well be achievable.

First, let’s discuss one that may have been filled with an already existent player on the roster. There was/is a need for a third tight and Devin Asiasi possibly could fill that role.

Asiasi was a third-round pick in 2020 and completely flopped in his rookie season, catching only two passes in the nine games in which he played. Not exactly what was expected.

Yet Asiasi had an epiphany of sorts against the New York Giants in the pre-season finale, catching four passes from Mac Jones for 64 yards. That was a positive surprise.

And to make that game even better for him, it could be argued that his adjustment catch of a back-shoulder throw from Jones may have been the best completion of the preseason. All good.

So based on the Giants game, maybe Asiasi can realize some of the potential Bill Belichick saw when he traded up to get Asiasi in last year’s draft.

So let’s rate this a possibility for filling that need, though Devin Asiasi didn’t even dress for the Miami game.