Positions Where Patriots Could Use 3 Players

[mgteich]

We always have some needs. This year, we NEED a tight end as an upgrade to Williams.

At this point in the offseason, it is depth that is the most serious need, and also future starters for aging veterans. Obviously, we will have needs to replace those who are injured in camp and in the season.
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We could use THREE upgrades at five different positions. Obviously, that is unlikely to happen at any of them. This simply points out our need for depth.

IMHO, it seems obvious that we will add a DE, LB and RB in free agency.

RUNNING BACK
Bolden
Develin
Gray

OFFENSIVE LINE
Connolly
Barker/Cave
Klne

DEFENSIVE END
Bequette
Buchanan
no incumbent

LINEBACKER
Beauharnais
White
no incumbent

SAFETY
Wilson
Wilson
Ebner

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Many posters have no problem with six areas where we could use major upgrades. After all, they believe that we will find a dozen plug and play rookies who will be significant contributors.

 

[varjao]

The TE position is what intrigues me more. We are thin at LB, we know the issues on the OL, but there are players there to be on the field sunday and play.

At TE though we have no depth at all. We have Gronk and nothing more. Hooman is just a guy. We have possible the best TE on the game and candidate to be the best ever, but he doesn't play. With him on the field the offense is one thing, without him is a totally different thing. And there are serious question marks on his availability, including how his knee will respond after that surgery.

That said, and considering our dependency on working the middle of the field, I would not mind at all a double dip at TE next draft.

 

[JackBauer]

We always have some needs. This year, we NEED a tight end as an upgrade to Williams.

At this point in the offseason, it is depth that is the most serious need, and also future starters for aging veterans. Obviously, we will have needs to replace those who are injured in camp and in the season.
============================
We could use THREE upgrades at five different positions. Obviously, that is unlikely to happen at any of them. This simply points out our need for depth.

IMHO, it seems obvious that we will add a DE, LB and RB in free agency.

RUNNING BACK
Bolden
Develin
Gray

OFFENSIVE LINE
Connolly
Barker/Cave
Klne

DEFENSIVE END
Bequette
Buchanan
no incumbent

LINEBACKER
Beauharnais
White
no incumbent

SAFETY
Wilson
Wilson
Ebner

====
Many posters have no problem with six areas of need. After all, they believe that we will find a dozen plug and play rookies who will be significant contributors.

Don't know why Connolly is on this list.

 

[mgteich]

Connolly is on the list because many (the vast majority?) of posters believe that upgrading Connolly is a need, especially given that he is scheduled to be paid $3M of new money.

To put in another way, if we drafted a RG as 29 to compete with Cannon for the RG spot, most would applaud the move.

Personally, I think that Connolly will stay, either with a pay cut, or with an extension at lower pay than this year's $3M. But make no mistake, Connolly is not a bargain at $3M.

Don't know why Connolly is on this list.

 

[50-yard-line]

We could use THREE upgrades at five different positions. Obviously, that is unlikely to happen at any of them. This simply points out our need for depth.

IMHO, it seems obvious that we will add a DE, LB and RB in free agency.

RUNNING BACK
Bolden
Develin
Gray

OFFENSIVE LINE
Connolly
Barker/Cave
Klne

DEFENSIVE END
Bequette
Buchanan
no incumbent

LINEBACKER
Beauharnais
White
no incumbent

SAFETY
Wilson
Wilson
Ebner

====
Many posters have no problem with six areas of need. After all, they believe that we will find a dozen plug and play rookies who will be significant contributors.

I think most teams would be fine with having Vereen, Ridley and Boldin as their running backs, and Devlin is more than adequate for the role he fills. I wouldn't mind seeing the Pats add a running back, maybe even upgrade Boldin, but I don't think it's an area of need. And if adding a JAG RB means cutting Thomkins or Boyce, I'd rather they go with 6 WRs!

Their O-line is the same as last year, with the exception of Svitek, who will probably re-sign. I hope they draft a potential upgrade, but for all I know, one of their younger lineman might be just that.

I think Armstead will kick out to DE at times, and perhaps either Collins or Hightower will get some reps there, but I agree, we really could use another decent one. Hoping Buchanon makes the jump, but still want one more.

I expect A Wilson to work as a cover LB this year if he can cut it. Jordan Tripp in the draft? Jeremiah Attaochu?

Safety includes Harmon, and could, if the reports are correct, include Ryan as well a few games in. I don't consider D-back as a need for this team at this time. That said, I would be thrilled if they went and grabbed Danieal Manning (he's already visiting the Chiefs!).

There's essentially another round of free agency after the draft. I feel that at this point, this Pats team might be more game-ready than any Pats team I remember. Yes, they need another TE and if Wilson can't cut it and Beauharnis isn't ready, a back-up LB...but really, if that's what we're worried about at this point in time, we're doing okay.

Last year at this time...yeesh!

 

[JackBauer]

Connolly is on the list because many (the vast majority?) of posters believe that upgrading Connolly is a need, especially given that he is scheduled to be paid $3M of new money.

To put in another way, if we drafted a RG as 29 to compete with Cannon for the RG spot, most would applaud the move.

Personally, I think that Connolly will stay, either with a pay cut, or with an extension at lower pay than this year's $3M. But make no mistake, Connolly is not a bargain at $3M.

You've listed a bunch of players who could (probably fairly easily) be replaced by a draftee or a FA. I don't see that being the case with Connolly, but you're welcome to your opinion.

 

[mgteich]

As indicated in the thread title and within, I meant to emphasize that we could use depth in many areas.

As I indicated, the NEED is at tight end. I shouldn't have used the word "need" in the conclusion, even if the need was for depth. I fixed the original post.

I agree that we are in much better shape than last year at this time.

One of Belichick's goals is to go into the draft with a team ready to play, or ready to play with the addition of a couple of JAG free agents after the draft (LB and DE come to mind). One current season NEED for the draft is enough. This year the need is at TE.
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RB
Many teams might think that we have adequate running backs. The fact is that this group is a major step down from last year and 2012. Besides, all three are in their contract years.

I think most teams would be fine with having Vereen, Ridley and Boldin as their running backs, and Devlin is more than adequate for the role he fills. I wouldn't mind seeing the Pats add a running back, maybe even upgrade Boldin, but I don't think it's an area of need. And if adding a JAG RB means cutting Thomkins or Boyce, I'd rather they go with 6 WRs!

Their O-line is the same as last year, with the exception of Svitek, who will probably re-sign. I hope they draft a potential upgrade, but for all I know, one of their younger lineman might be just that.

I think Armstead will kick out to DE at times, and perhaps either Collins or Hightower will get some reps there, but I agree, we really could use another decent one. Hoping Buchanon makes the jump, but still want one more.

I expect A Wilson to work as a cover LB this year if he can cut it. Jordan Tripp in the draft? Jeremiah Attaochu?

Safety includes Harmon, and could, if the reports are correct, include Ryan as well a few games in. I don't consider D-back as a need for this team at this time. That said, I would be thrilled if they went and grabbed Danieal Manning (he's already visiting the Chiefs!).

There's essentially another round of free agency after the draft. I feel that at this point, this Pats team might be more game-ready than any Pats team I remember. Yes, they need another TE and if Wilson can't cut it and Beauharnis isn't ready, a back-up LB...but really, if that's what we're worried about at this point in time, we're doing okay.

Last year at this time...yeesh!