NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

2021 record: 10-7

2022 draft haul: OL Cole Strange, WR Tyquan Thornton, CB Marcus Jones, CB Jack Jones, RB Pierre Strong, QB Bailey Zappe, RB Kevin Harris, DL Sam Roberts, OL Chasen Hines, OT Andrew Stueber.

Best draft pick: Marcus Jones

Best offseason acquisition: Devante Parker

Arrow is pointing: Sideways

Outlook: The Patriots are relying on the huge wad of money spent last season in free agency, hoping those players improve rove with a year in the system, while also banking on some young ng defensive players to emerge.

They’re also anticipating a Year 2 leap from Mac Jones, even en after losing offensive coordinator Josh Mcdaniels and replacing acing him with a collection of coaches with little to no experience e handling the offense.

Adding Parker, and having another year with his cast of receiveivers, plays into that narrative. Second-round pick Thornton can fly, but it remains to be seen how the spindly-framed receiver ver handles the NFL. Did the Patriots get faster and tougher? In places, yes. They restocked the offensive line and beefed up their running back room with a pair of backs in the draft, and are hopeful James White can return to form. They’re also going to rely on having interchangeable parts between their linebackers and safeties to try and tame high-powered offenses. They drafted a pair of corners, but it’s hard to say how much they’ll contribute.

Bottom line, the Pats haven’t closed the gap with the Bills.

The Fins, meanwhile, have the pieces in place to jump over them. Not willing to say the same of the Jets at this stage.