Clarity, and a great draft pick
Team has a lot of needs
As far as performance goes, the Patriots landed firmly on the naughty list this holiday season.
They’re 3-11. They were eliminated from the playoffs over a week ago. They’ve been out-played and out-coached on a regular basis, while enduring some poor injury luck along the way.
Speculation about Bill Belichick’s future has swirled for weeks. Aside from a few more wins, what would the Pats wish for this year?
Start here:
1. A top-2 draft pick
The Patriots are currently tracking to clinch the No. 2 overall pick in next year’s draft, but making that selection is no guarantee.
What would help their odds is another Carolina win -- the Panthers (2-12) still hold the No. 1 overall pick after beating the Falcons last weekend -- and strong showings by the Broncos and Bills in their upcoming games. The Pats will not lie down, but in order to pick themselves back up again and contend, they will need a new quarterback. And the only reliable place to find a franchise quarterback remains the top 10 of the draft.
At least with a top-2 pick, the Patriots could pick between projected top prospects Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, or trade back and add a few more assets.
2. Coaching clarity
Belichick’s future has been the source of much speculation and conflicting reporting over the last few weeks, even months. Only Robert Kraft knows whether Belichick will return or not, but in the meantime, it would do the rest of the franchise some good if they knew were they stood moving forward.
Several players and assistants are closing in on the end of their contracts, yet none know what the future holds in New England. Must they all just hurry up and wait?
3. Strong finishes from the rookies
Despite suffering two concussions, Demario Douglas leads the Patriots in receiving yards. Marte Mapu just grabbed his first career interception. Rookie guards Sidy Sow and Atonio Mafi continue to add experience.
If the Patriots can get more from rookies like second-round defensive lineman Keion White and sixth-round receiver Kayshon Boutte, it bodes well for their upcoming rebuild.
4. Good health
The Pats lost several players in last Sunday’s loss to Kansas City, including left guard Cole Strange who has since been placed on injured reserve. Tight end Hunter Henry left with a knee injury and took significant punishment throughout the game. On defense, cornerback Jonathan Jones and Anfernee Jennings also missed some snaps.
Before the game, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and left tackle Trent Brown were ruled out. Cornerback J.C. Jackson also became unavailable due to mental health reasons No veteran deserves to go down fighting or suffer more during an already lost season.
Here’s to good football and better health.
5. Contract extensions
The Patriots can move to extend 2020 draft picks like safety Kyle Dugger, outside linebacker Josh Uche and right guard/tackle Mike Onwenu at any time. All players are on expiring contracts, and Onwenu and Dugger are both multi-year starters who could be part of a young core moving forward.
Soon, the Pats can also approach 2021 draft picks, like running back Rhamondre Stevenson and defensive tackle, about extending their rookie contracts. Barmore has emerged as arguably the team’s best defender over the past two months and notched a sack, one hurry and two runs stuffs against the Chiefs last weekend.
6. Hope for the fan base
It’s been a long four years since Tom Brady left; between the losing record, one playoff appearance and zero postseason wins. However the Patriots finish this year, or move forward this offseason, fans deserve a glimmer of hope as the franchise heads into yet another new era.
7. A win over the Jets
Provided it doesn’t significantly hurt their odds of landing a top-2 pick, there’s never a bad time to beat the Jets. The Pats haven’t lost to Gang Green since 2015, and will host them in a shared regular-season finale on the first weekend of January. Losing to the Jets would be no way to start the New Year.