Four to fortify for Pats
A few hidden holes remain on the roster
The Patriots’ biggest roster holes have gone from glaring to graying.
Cornerback, linebacker and wide receiver have commanded attention and generated worry for months this offseason. The front office has addressed each with minor to fairly notable moves, including the recently acquired DeVante Parker. But those positions remain dire enough that the team could understandably invest a first-round pick into any one of them strictly out of need.
Around those needs are dents in the team’s depth chart; areas that are not as obviously problematic, but could be soon. A year ago, the Herald detailed three hidden roster holes after the Patriots’ unprecedented splurge in free agency. They might sound familiar: cornerback depth, wide receiver and offensive tackle.
Within 12 months, those areas undercut the team’s playoff run, with the Bills shredding Bill Belichick’s secondary, clamping down on his passing game and claiming a historic Wild Card win that left tackle Isaiah Wynn missed due to injury.
Now, to varying degrees, four hidden roster holes could threaten the Pats’ upcoming season, pending further moves. Cornerback, linebacker and wide receiver have been excluded from this list, as has offensive guard, where the team needs a starter after losing Ted Karras and shipping Shaq Mason to Tampa Bay.
Here are the Patriots’ new hidden roster holes postfree agency:
1. Backup quarterback
With all due respect to Brian Hoyer, a vital mentor to Mac Jones and respected locker-room leader, the Patriots can kiss their contending chances good-bye if he’s asked to start several games.
Hoyer will make the 53man roster, thanks to his new two-year contract with enough guaranteed money that typically guarantees a roster spot. But he’s not a viable option under center, having started two games the past four seasons, the latter ending with a secondhalf benching at Kansas City in 2020.
Fourth-year backup Jarrett Stidham replaced him that night, but reverted back to third-string status last season.
All that stands between Hoyer or Stidham starting next fall is Jones turning an ankle or absorbing a late hit. It’s unlikely the Patriots will sign a veteran at this stage, but a rookie seems plausible with Stidham’s contract expiring next year; a youngster they can develop into a solid backup for 2023, when Hoyer might stick again as a mentor or get cut. But ideally, the kid could play in 2022, too.
2. Offensive tackle
Re-signing Trent Brown last month brought needed stability to an offensive line that took two significant hits early this offseason. But his return is no guarantee the Patriots’ are suddenly safe up front.
Brown has missed 24 of 49 regular-season games the last three years due to various injuries. The 6-foot-8, 380-pounder is one of the best tackles in the game when healthy, yet that upside didn’t convince the Patriots to guarantee much of his new two-year contract. Because of how that deal is structured, Brown could reasonably be a cut candidate next offseason, when Wynn, another injuryprone lineman, is scheduled to hit free agency.
Swing tackle Justin Herron and third-year reserve
Michael Onwenu might offer some injury protection, but Onwenu is currently slated to start at one guard spot next season. If he’s forced to replace Brown midseason, the weakest points of the Pats’ pass protection will be at guard, where opposing defenses will try to heat up Jones with the type of interior pressure that melts pocket-bound passers like him.
3. Edge defender
Next September, Matt Judon will man one edge of Belichick’s defense. The edge defender opposite him is … anyone’s guess.
The Patriots are counting on their young corps of outside linebackers to produce a new starter or at least one player capable of playing the run on early downs. Josh Uche, 2021 third-round pick Ronnie Perkins and Anfernee Jennings are the names to know. Perkins effectively took a redshirt last year, when Jennings sat out on injured reserve and Uche played sparingly outside of third down.
To date, none have demonstrated they can consistently set the edge to Belichick’s liking.
It’s conceivable the Pats could re-sign one of Kyle Van Noy or Dont’a Hightower, both free agents. But any return would likely be for a part-time role, considering the team cut Van Noy more than a month ago and are aiming to get younger.
4. Nose tackle
According to Sports Info. Solutions, the Pats allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game between the tackles last season. They also allowed the seventh-highest yards per carry average inside. Think Belichick is satisfied with that?
Free-agent addition Davon Godchaux was not the dominant nose presence the Patriots paid for last March, but he remains a serviceable piece up front. The same goes for Lawrence Guy, who’s firmly in the back nine of his career yet ranked among the league leaders in run stop percentage, per Pro Football Focus. But counting on that duo as the first line of defense against potent rushing attacks will only yield similar results.
Rising defensive tackle Christian Barmore is still a pass-first player who doesn’t carry the girth necessary to hold up against double teams. In 2022, that duty would ideally fall to a combination of Godchaux, a free agent like former Bears Pro Bowler Akiem Hicks or a top pick such as Georgia’s Jordan Davis or UConn’s Travis Jones. It’s time to beef up.