Patriots top 5 positional needs to address in the new league year

New England Patriots will have a new free safety star?

The New England Patriots secondary needs a Josh Uche-like coming out story. The author could be Joshuah Bledsoe.

We may have seen Devin McCourty’s last game. If it was, he put an exclamation point on a fantastic 13-year career. McCourty had an interception and two passes defended in the season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills.

If McCourty walks away, he’ll be back to be inducted into the Patriots Hall. But there will be a void of leadership and in the deep middle of the secondary. Bledsoe could fill the latter next season.

The 2021 sixth round selection was a standout player for Missouri and likely would had been drafted higher if not for a wrist injury during the 2020 Senior Bowl.

Bledsoe stood out during training camp last year, and received praise from some veteran players, McCourty included. Those are some impressive endorsements.

Adrian Phillips is next in line to replace McCourty, though Phillips’ production has declined every year with the Patriots. And Myles Bryant filled in at times, but he is more of a liability than an asset.

If McCourty does hang it up, this becomes the third biggest need, a more urgent need than a sideline-to-sideline linebacker for the New England Patriots. If Bledsoe can stay on the field, he could challenge Phillips for the starting role. If not, the Patriots need to add depth to the position and create competition. Players like McCourty don’t come around often. Losing him would hurt, on and off the field.