Grades and reactions to Patriots biggest free agency moves (thus far)

The New England Patriots have risen from the ashes like a phoenix, could they possibly, inexplicably be on their way to a productive offseason?

If you’re going to critique their shortcomings you’d better be ready to step up and give them a pat on the back when they do the right things. (All this is subjective, of course, but what the heck, that’s why we’re here!)

Three recent moves may just have set the New England Patriots on their way to putting together a decent free agency and who knows maybe even a great offseason (remember the draft) after all. Go figure.

Just when you thought by not going all-in on the top offensive left tackle (OLT) Orlando Brown Jr. the team had flopped completely once more, they’ve gone ahead and confounded ‘ya.

So what are the three moves that in aggregate have opened up the window and let more light onto the Patriots 2023? Let’s take a quick look.

The New England Patriots may be getting on track

This space has been no great fan of the New England Patriots personnel management and many top pundits have also had similar views very openly, honestly, and courageously.

Things weren’t looking good. However, sending Jonnu Smith out to Atlanta for even a seventh-round pick (this team can actually hit big on low picks) was a top initial step this offseason.

Characteristically, they then stepped back after that, spending good cap space on fair to middling offensive tackles and eschewing signing the best out there, Orlando Brown Jr., and other better candidates like Mike McGlinchey. They passed on those.

Now, however, they have added to the Jonnu Smith positive and signed two players that were advocated they sign here. They are wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, considered here to be the best wide receiver available in free agency.

Now they’ve gone ahead and signed possibly the best tight end available in Mike Gesicki. These two moves can’t be looked upon as anything but very positive, indeed.

New England Patriots signing Smith-Schuster and Gesicki are top additions

Smith-Schuster is a really good wide receiver and his yards after the catch bring attention. Not the place here to discuss the relative merits of JuJu vs. Jakobi Meyers. Both would have been just fine.

This space looks at Meyers as a solid two-and-a-half to No. two wide receiver. Conversely, it looks at JuJu as a bit better with a two to a one-and-a-half rating. Either would have been fine. JuJu is preferred for his higher upside.

Before injuring his knee in 2018, JuJu, still only 26, put together a gargantuan season for Pittsburgh with 115 catches, 1427 yards, and seven TDs. In 2020, he had another great season with 97 catches, 831 yards, and nine TDs. Then the injury happened.

Assuming the Patriots did due diligence on his knee and he’s fit, he should be an upgrade though not monumentally. He’s their best wide receiver at the moment.

Now, in addition, having sent Jonnu Smith to Atlanta, the New England Patriots have again gone in a suggested direction and signed tight end from Miami, Mike Gesicki.

Gesicki is a solid pass-catcher. He had a down season in 2022 with only 32 catches for 362 yards and no TDs. Those are not stand-out numbers but the talent is there and he’s on a one-year show-me deal. The bet here is that he has a bounce-back year and shines.

Gesicki’s signing now allows New England to either trade or cut ties with Hunter Henry, reap the $10.5M in cap space, and go big for a young tight end in the draft. Alternatively, they can pat. Either way, there in better shape than in the past two years. They’ve improved.

Grading these three moves is easy, it’s an A- for the bunch. They’ve bettered two positions, cut ties with a highly-paid unproductive player, and are now poised to finish with a flourish by drafting a top offensive tackle with their first draft pick and adding other pieces.

To put it simply, things are looking up, and that’s really nice to say for a change.