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The 2020 season was, by the requirements set in Foxborough during the last 20 years, nothing in need of a catastrophe. For the primary time since 2008, the Patriots are set to overlook the playoffs, and their newest loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night time ensured that they’ll have a shedding season for the primary time since 2000 (Invoice Belichick’s first season as head coach). Within the aftermath of Tom Brady leaving for Tampa Bay, New England turned the keys to the offense over to Cam Newton, and that produced less than what both sides had hoped for in the partnership.
Newton was hardly the lone trigger for New England’s struggles, nevertheless, as the whole roster seems to be in shambles, making this offseason a pivotal one for Belichick and his underlings. The excellent news is that they’ve cash to spend, as they’re projected to have the third-most cap house (practically $72 million) within the league this offseason. Due to this down yr, the Patriots may also have one of many greater first-round picks in current reminiscence to go together with their assortment of choices this spring.
Under, we will spotlight 5 issues on Belichick’s offseason to-do record that ought to make them a extra aggressive membership as early as 2021.
1. Repair the QB room
This one is clear, however it could be much more necessary than you’d suppose. Heading into the ultimate week of the season, New England has the third-fewest passing yards within the league, which is able to after all must be improved.
For the way good of a soldier Cam Newton has been over the course of his first season with the Patriots, he would not appear to be the kind of quarterback that may carry the Patriots again to prominence. In 2020, the offense was solely in a position to put up factors by the bottom whereas Newton was beneath middle, which is unsustainable in at the moment’s recreation. Whereas many people have clamored for Jarrett Stidham to get a begin, Invoice Belichick seemingly being bored with doing so tells us that he is not the long-term reply both. Meaning the subsequent Patriots QB is not presently on the roster.
Figuring out who that’s and bringing him aboard is the vital first step in New England’s offseason. Why is that? Nicely, as a result of the second field that must be checked for Belichick is discovering elite cross catchers. Whereas the Patriots can match virtually any crew within the {dollars} and cents division, if the cash is even between them and one other squad and New England’s quarterback scenario remains to be clouded, why would any receiver select them? As loopy as this will likely have sounded a yr in the past, would not you somewhat go to Jacksonville (most cap house within the NFL) and be a part of probably No. 1 total choose Trevor Lawrence than presumably be a part of a Patriots crew that could not even common 200 yards passing this season? I might.
As for who they need to take a look at, Jimmy Garoppolo is the apparent title. If he shakes unfastened, it would not be shocking in any respect to see Belichick attempt to carry the quarterback he groomed for this actual interval within the membership’s historical past again to meet his future. Matthew Stafford is one other title that ought to be monitored if Detroit decides to enter a complete rebuild. Within the NFC East, each Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz are a few different names that might be accessible if sure dominos fall. Both of these quarterbacks ought to be an improve over what was in Foxborough this season.
Whereas the Patriots could also be in search of their 2021 starter both on the commerce or free-agent market, it’d even be smart for them to double-dip on the place and likewise handle it within the draft. The Patriots presently have the No. 14 choose within the first spherical, which places them out of the Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields and Zach Wilson dialog. Our CBS Sports NFL Draft expert Ryan Wilson has New England taking Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. The connection between Belichick and Nick Saban is clear with that choose and bringing in a gifted, younger piece to be paired alongside a Stafford or Garoppolo might assist rebuild a sturdy quarterback room for the lengthy haul.
2. Add elite pass-catching expertise
As we famous above, discovering the quarterback is crucial as a way to pull this piece of the puzzle off as a result of the Patriots ought to dive into the free-agent market to deal with this evident want. As a result of New England has struggled to seek out ability place gamers within the draft over the previous few years, notably on the huge receiver place, they need to simply throw that map out the window. Whereas it could be costlier, they will have much less margin for error by focusing on pass-catchers which might be already confirmed within the league.
Given his age and expertise, JuJu Smith-Schuster could be a really perfect goal. The 24-year-old goes to be an unrestricted free agent and Pittsburgh could not make it a necessity to carry him again or place the franchise tag on him, given how deep the place is on their roster. He would immediately slot in as New England’s No. 1 receiver and has proven the flexibility to publish 100-catch seasons of over 1,000 yards. Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin are two different receivers who ought to be atop the want record, whereas Will Fuller, Corey Davis, and Curtis Samuel are on that second tier.
In fact, the Patriots shouldn’t solely be beholden to discovering pass-catching expertise on the receiver place, as tight finish has additionally been a key place in Josh McDaniels’ offense previously. Hunter Henry is an apparent goal as Invoice Belichick has scouted him basically since highschool, however Jonnu Smith and Robert Tonyan (RFA) could be good additions to Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene.
Once more, this can be the costliest a part of New England’s offseason as they probably want to return away with not one however two stud pass-catchers. It is merely a necessity, nevertheless, for a crew that has the third-fewest explosive cross performs (35) within the NFL heading into Week 17.
3. Lock up key free brokers
The very first thing New England ought to do on protection is place a first-round tender on nook J.C. Jackson, which they virtually definitely will. Whereas he has struggled a bit as of late, Jackson appears to be one of many brighter younger items on the Patriots roster, rating second within the NFL in interceptions this season. At simply 25 years previous, Jackson appears destined to ultimately blossom right into a No. 1 nook, which might occur as quickly as subsequent season. As a result of he’s a restricted free agent, New England does have some leverage, nevertheless it’d be smart to lock him in long-term.
Elsewhere on the roster, David Andrews is about to be an unrestricted free agent and ought to be a precedence piece of the offensive line to retain. The starter at middle has grown into a pacesetter in New England’s locker room and has been a foundational piece to a stellar offensive line when wholesome. Beginning left guard Joe Thuney was given the franchise tag final offseason and he could also be out of the Patriots’ worth vary if he hits the open market. If the 2 sides can come collectively on a deal, nevertheless, he is clearly a key cog alongside the O-line.
Within the case of defensive deal with Lawrence Guy, it’s going to be fascinating to see what the 31-year-old decides for his profession going ahead. But when he desires to play in 2021, he’d be a dependable piece in the midst of that entrance seven.
As for gamers who the Patriots ought to let stroll, James White and Jason McCourty come to thoughts. Whereas each are fan favorites who’ve contributed tremendously to the group over their respective tenures, they play positions that the membership is pretty deep at and the cash might be finest spent elsewhere. For White, specifically, he ought to have a wholesome market this offseason, which is nice for him personally however not nice for his prospects of remaining with the Patriots.
4. Decide on Stephon Gilmore, different vets
That is the place issues might get a little bit messy. We have talked in regards to the unsure future for Stephon Gilmore all season lengthy, and that might come to a head this offseason. The star nook has yet one more yr remaining on his present contract nevertheless it’ll solely pay him $7 million in base wage, which is hardly akin to his friends. If the Patriots do not need to pay him prime greenback as he rolls into his 30s, they might look to maneuver him. A transfer of that magnitude can also be a bit simpler in the event that they imagine J.C. Jackson is usually a legit No. 1 nook.
Whereas Gilmore’s future is doubtful, so are a couple of different key items to prior championships. It is unclear if Julian Edelman, who completed the season on IR and will probably be 35 by the beginning of subsequent season, has performed his final snap within the NFL. Then there are the opt-outs. It is not a assure that Dont’a Hightower returns to the membership after opting out of the 2020 season on account of COVID-19 considerations. By letting the linebacker go, New England might clear round $10 million off their cap. Marcus Cannon is also expendable because the crew might clear virtually $5 million in house.
These are some heavy-hitter names that the Patriots might want to get readability on early within the offseason course of to allow them to construct a roster figuring out who they’ve and who they do not for 2021.
5. Proceed to construct the protection by the draft
Let’s face it, Belichick and the Patriots cannot determine offensive expertise on the draft. Whereas it is nonetheless necessary to take stabs on the quarterback place, notably with a few of their greater choices, the Patriots ought to fade off selecting ability place gamers on the draft and lean in direction of the extra dependable defensive facet of the ball.
Over the previous few drafts, the Patriots have been capable of finding some promising gamers on protection. In 2020, Kyle Dugger, Josh Uche, and Anfernee Jennings have all proven flashes. In the meantime, Chase Winovich and Byron Cowart have proven some potential of being starters. It is not good, however they’ve a greater batting common figuring out defensive gamers on the draft than they do on offense, which is why this ought to be their technique in 2021 the place they’re projected to have six picks within the first 4 rounds after the compensatory choices are handed out.
With the Patriots probably spending large on offense this offseason, they will want to chop prices someplace, and discovering younger expertise by the draft is one of the simplest ways to do it. Doubling down on protection on the draft not solely helps relieve the price of large free-agent signings, however the Patriots might construct an up-and-coming protection on the fly in the event that they hit on a couple of choices.
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