Belichick needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat to keep the Patriots viable
A week ago, heading into the legal tampering period of free agency, the Patriots were still considered close to a lock to take the AFC East in 2020, and stay among the conference’s elite. Today? Minus Tom Brady and a handful of defensive starters, the view from the top has changed.
Not only are the Patriots vulnerable in the division, where the Bills have their best shot in years to dethrone the champs, but they’re also being given little to no shot at being a Super Bowl contender.
One New York paper even had them finishing last in the division. Ouch. What happened to having faith in Bill Belichick, the GOAT of coaches? What happened to the much-used slogan “In Bill we trust?”
Obviously, given the events of the past week, Belichick finds himself with plenty of holes to fill and little cap space — NFLPA records have them at about $2.6 million — with which to maneuver. But there’s no need to jump off the bandwagon. There’s still time for him to rebuild, restock and reload.
“I know the teams in the AFC
Boston Herald
East are jumping for joy with Tom gone,” said ESPN analyst Damien Woody. “But listen, they still have the best coach in NFL history. The organization isn’t dead, but when you don’t have the greatest quarterback of all time on your roster, you’re going to take a hit. So they’re going to take a step back, but I don’t see them falling into the abyss.
“I think the Patriots want to retool; whether it’s Jarrett Stidham or they acquire another veteran. Then they’ll reallocate funds to some of the defections they had on defense.”
The curiosity is how that might take shape, and just how much of a rebuild is needed. What might Belichick have up his sleeve? The way it’s shaping up, it looks like the draft will be the chief avenue to plug holes.
The needs haven’t really changed. They’ve merely intensified after what’s transpired in free agency. The breakdown is as follows:
Linebacker: With three free agents in Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts, this figured to be a need. But it’s escalated now, thanks to the Patriots losing all three. While the Pats still have Dont’a Hightower, Ja’Whaun Bentley and Terez Hall as off-the-ball linebackers, and John Simon, Chase Winovich as edge defenders/outside linebackers, their depth has gone from a strength to a weakness. Some mock drafts have the Patriots selecting Wisconsin’s Zack Baun. He played almost exclusively as an edge defender in college, but has some versatility to move around. Bottom line: They need more bodies.
Tight end: The Patriots should have drafted one of the big guns last year in a tight end-rich draft. They strangely passed, even with Rob Gronkowski retiring. After having an offense that revolved around the position, it was non-existent last season. Benjamin Watson, now retired, played on a bad Achilles. Matt LaCosse had a bum ankle most of the year, and Ryan Izzo wasn’t anything special.
With Hunter Henry receiving the franchise tag, and Austin Hooper signing for big money, the Pats can still land a veteran (Tyler Eifert, Delanie Walker) via free agency, or trade (Cleveland’s David Njoku). But even if they nab a veteran, the draft remains key. Unlike last year, there are no first-round prospects. But Dayton’s Adam Trautman, Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet, Washington’s Hunter Bryant or Missouri’s Albert Okwuegbunam could help get the group back on the map.
Wide receiver: The Pats added Damiere Byrd in free agency. He should help stretch the field with his blazing speed, and is also a candidate to return kicks. He joins a primary cast that features Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu, N’Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers. Is it enough? It wasn’t for Brady.
It probably won’t be for his replacement. They could use another top wideout.
Who’s left in free agency? Breshad Perriman? He wants to re-sign with the Buccaneers and play with Brady. Robby Anderson? He looks like he might be going back to the Jets. As it is, the Pats are strapped for cash. But the good news is this is the best wide receiver draft in some time. The Patriots should be able to add an impact receiver. LSU’s Justin Jefferson, Baylor’s Denzel Mims, SMU’s James Proche are just a few possibilities for Josh McDaniels’ Bradyless offense.