ASSESSING VETERAN ADDITIONS SO FAR
New England hasn’t gotten much bang for its bucks
The Patriots took a whirlwind approach to free agency this offseason.
The team made seven signings in just seven days and then essentially decided they were done with the offseason process.
So, let’s take a look at where those seven free-agent signings are now nearly seven months later after four games as the Patriots hold a 1-3 record.
RB James Robinson
We’re off to a bad start here. Robinson was expected to replace Damien Harris, who signed with the Bills in free agency. Robinson was cut in mid-june after organized team activities and minicamp due to concerns about his health.
Robinson remains unsigned.
WR Juju Smith-schuster
Smith- Schuster has yet to crack the century mark in his Patriots career. He has 11 catches on 21 targets for 80 yards through four games. He’s averaging just 7.3 yards per reception and ranks 74th out of 97 qualified wide receivers with 0.96 yards per route run.
Things looked bad after Week 1 when he was out-snapped by rookie Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne. Despite playing more snaps over the last three weeks, prospects are not getting better with two drops and persisting questions about the health of his knee.
Smith-schuster is expected to continue battling for snaps with Bourne and Demario Douglas. His role could potentially lessen when Tyquan Thornton is ready to come off of injured reserve.
Smith-schuster had 933 yards last year. He’s currently on pace for 340 yards this season.
TE Mike Gesicki
Over 33% of Gesicki’s snaps this season have come as a run blocker. He’s on pace to run block on 217 snaps, which would be the second-highest mark of his career. He’s never run-blocked for over 31% of his offensive snaps.
Needless to say, this is not the best use of Gesciki, who is more of a big receiver than an actual tight end.
Gesicki is playing 54.5% of snaps but has just 10 catches for 99 yards and no touchdowns.
OT Calvin Anderson
Anderson missed nearly all of the summer on the non-football illness list with a still-undisclosed ailment. The Patriots seemingly rushed him back onto the field to start at right tackle in the first two games of the season, and he struggled. He’s since been benched for Vederian Lowe, who isn’t holding up much better through two games.
OT Riley Reiff
Reiff was expected to be the Patriots’ starting right tackle this season, but he was moved to guard over the summer and
was placed on injured reserve after a preseason knee injury.
Now back at practice, Reiff could potentially fortify the right tackle or left guard spot when he’s activated off injured reserve.
LB Chris Board
Board is tied for the lead in special teams snaps (98) on the team with Matthew Slater and Brenden Schooler. He has two special-teams tackles on the season.
The Patriots rank 32nd in special teams DVOA so far this season. That seems to be weighted towards rookie kicker Chad Ryland’s struggles, however.
P Corliss Waitman
The Patriots signed Waitman after releasing Jake Bailey. He was beaten out by rookie Bryce Baringer in training camp but was on the practice squad until earlier this week when he was cut.
Other additions
Waitman was the last player the Patriots signed in the initial wave of free agency. They also added quarterback Trace Mcsorley and tight end Anthony Firkser in the spring. Both players were released out of training camp.
The team signed running back Ezekiel Elliott and defensive end Trey Flowers during camp. Elliott has outperformed fellow running back Rhamondre Stevenson with 34 carries for 138 yards. Flowers is back at practice after starting his second tenure with the team on the PUP list.
Lowe and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. were acquired via trade in late August. Wheatley has been a healthy scratch in recent weeks.
The Patriots’ latest addition, cornerback J.C. Jackson, could wind up being the biggest impact maker of the entire group, especially if he can still provide ball-hawking skills to the secondary.
Jackson should be a Day 1 starter as long as he’s healthy enough to play.