manxman2601
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I'm going to try and get more involved in the draft this year than I have the previous years and I think thinking about needs is a good place to start. So just looking through potential/likely free agents, I see needs as the following:
1. QB - I see this as a priority for obvious reasons. The Brady replacement would be nice but at the very least, let's get Hoyer off that no2 spot.
2. RB - Minor need probably filled through FA rather than the draft. Obviously with White, Burkhead and Michel here through 2020, there's no real need for a premier draft pick (injuries allowing)
3. WR - Hogan will be a FA, Patterson too and he'll likely not be a proper WR but more of a gadget type. Which really leaves an ageing Edelman who is only signed through 2019. The cupboard is pretty bare long term. Whether it's filled via the draft is another matter.
4. TE - Hollister is promising but he's only really a move TE and Gronk's future is up in the air. a future no1/inline TE is probably a need next year and could do with some investment.
5. OT - Needs here too. Trent Brown, Shaq Mason and Waddle are all free agents. The OT position worries me more than RG. As future starters we're down to Wynn and Cannon who's injury issues are a concern. Interior OL is interesting too with BB showing interest in Ragnow and Dan Feeney in recent years.
6. DL - DT certainly looks to be a need with both Brown and Shelton free agents next year. It's early yet but I feel a little better about Flowers being a potential FA if Rivers and Wise live up to pre-season form.
7. LB - Could always do with a quality coverage linebacker. But if Bentley lives up to the justifiable hype he's been getting, not a major need.
8. CB - One can never have enough of these, particularly with Rowe and J McCourty free agents at the end of the year. We seem to be well catered for in the nickel so an outside CB is the need. Might be filled via late draft/UDFA or veteran acquisition though.
9. S - Harmon, McCourty and Chung are signed through 2020 but some youth would certainly be useful.
10. Other - Ghost, Ryan Allen and Develin are all free agents. Develin is likely a Patriot as long as he wants to be but the two kicker positions need to be solved.
So, as I see the top 5 needs currently (subject to change obviously with a whole season to play)
1. WR - I don't know if the draft is the way to solve the not too distant holes at this position, but for now, the future is bleak. Still, there is some unproven, as yet, youth there.
2. QB - Brady's likely playing through 2019 but what is the answer beyond that? If we find our WRs outside the draft (likely), this is our priority next year. We need a post-Brady plan.
3. DT - Hopefully Shelton shows enough for BB to re-sign him and whilst I'm not a huge fan of Brown (he's ok to good but not much better), I think this position needs to be thought about looking forward.
4. TE - All depends on Gronk really. We're either comfortable at the position or in desperate need for the future.
5= OT - If Cannon stays fit then Wynn and Cannon is a nice combo as starters. But if they don't see Wynn as a future LT or if Cannon's injury woes continue, then this is very much a need.
5= CB - A little less concerned about our future at CB than I am at OT but one can never have enough CBs (aside from 2016 when we had to cut Roberts and LeBlanc). A quality partner for Gilmore would be nice.
So, what are your priorities looking ahead to 2019?
1. QB - I see this as a priority for obvious reasons. The Brady replacement would be nice but at the very least, let's get Hoyer off that no2 spot.
2. RB - Minor need probably filled through FA rather than the draft. Obviously with White, Burkhead and Michel here through 2020, there's no real need for a premier draft pick (injuries allowing)
3. WR - Hogan will be a FA, Patterson too and he'll likely not be a proper WR but more of a gadget type. Which really leaves an ageing Edelman who is only signed through 2019. The cupboard is pretty bare long term. Whether it's filled via the draft is another matter.
4. TE - Hollister is promising but he's only really a move TE and Gronk's future is up in the air. a future no1/inline TE is probably a need next year and could do with some investment.
5. OT - Needs here too. Trent Brown, Shaq Mason and Waddle are all free agents. The OT position worries me more than RG. As future starters we're down to Wynn and Cannon who's injury issues are a concern. Interior OL is interesting too with BB showing interest in Ragnow and Dan Feeney in recent years.
6. DL - DT certainly looks to be a need with both Brown and Shelton free agents next year. It's early yet but I feel a little better about Flowers being a potential FA if Rivers and Wise live up to pre-season form.
7. LB - Could always do with a quality coverage linebacker. But if Bentley lives up to the justifiable hype he's been getting, not a major need.
8. CB - One can never have enough of these, particularly with Rowe and J McCourty free agents at the end of the year. We seem to be well catered for in the nickel so an outside CB is the need. Might be filled via late draft/UDFA or veteran acquisition though.
9. S - Harmon, McCourty and Chung are signed through 2020 but some youth would certainly be useful.
10. Other - Ghost, Ryan Allen and Develin are all free agents. Develin is likely a Patriot as long as he wants to be but the two kicker positions need to be solved.
So, as I see the top 5 needs currently (subject to change obviously with a whole season to play)
1. WR - I don't know if the draft is the way to solve the not too distant holes at this position, but for now, the future is bleak. Still, there is some unproven, as yet, youth there.
2. QB - Brady's likely playing through 2019 but what is the answer beyond that? If we find our WRs outside the draft (likely), this is our priority next year. We need a post-Brady plan.
3. DT - Hopefully Shelton shows enough for BB to re-sign him and whilst I'm not a huge fan of Brown (he's ok to good but not much better), I think this position needs to be thought about looking forward.
4. TE - All depends on Gronk really. We're either comfortable at the position or in desperate need for the future.
5= OT - If Cannon stays fit then Wynn and Cannon is a nice combo as starters. But if they don't see Wynn as a future LT or if Cannon's injury woes continue, then this is very much a need.
5= CB - A little less concerned about our future at CB than I am at OT but one can never have enough CBs (aside from 2016 when we had to cut Roberts and LeBlanc). A quality partner for Gilmore would be nice.
So, what are your priorities looking ahead to 2019?