The Patriots FO needs to avoid appeasing the fans.

[Wozzy]

Fact: They had the third worst record this season.
Fact: They had the worst offense and did not address the three most important positions that are the hardest to get on offense (QB/WR/LT)
Fact: These "best free agents" they brought back are not elite players. That's what happens when you have a mediocre team.
Fact: You did outright say and argue with many people that the team would be better last year. They had their worst season since in a quarter of a century.
Fact: the '5th best defense" coudn't drag the team to beyond the the 3rd worst record.

Fact 1: Correct

Fact 2: Mostly wrong, their offensive line fielded the most different starting lineups of any team in the league, they were wracked with injury. You could have a roster with five All Pro's along the line, if they aren't healthy it won't matter because you won't be good. Tom Brady called Trent Brown the best left tackle he ever played with, I suspect if Mac was great and the team winning Trent wouldn't have gotten disgruntled... but they had a left tackle. The line couldn't stay healthy. Mac sucked. That's enough to create the 32nd worst offense.

Fact 3: "Elite" is an arbitrary term with no meaning. Our free agents got some big contracts, the free market determines worth, not your arbitrary value system that is built on "anything BB did sucks." NFL teams don't repeatedly pay bad players.

Fact 4: I never made you or anyone here promises. In fact in a pre-season thread I specially said if there were injuries and there was a total meltdown at the QB position this team could suck:
“I think the only way that could happen is total calamity. Some combination of mass injuries across the board, none of the rookies from this year or last develop into contributors, not only is Mac not the answer but Zappe fails also.” - Wozzy July 21, 2023

Fact 5: Yeah... it's a team game, you need all three phases to be good. Nobody said otherwise...

 

[XLIX]

So what you’re saying is we should take proven winner JJ McCarthy with our first round pick instead of bumbling Drake Maye?

There are few things more worthless than a "proven winner" in college. The best "winner" this century in the college ranks was Stetson Bennett IV, and that guy literally disappeared last season.

 

[Simpelton]

There are few things more worthless than a "proven winner" in college. The best "winner" this century in the college ranks was Stetson Bennett IV, and that guy literally disappeared last season.

Johnny Manziel was a proven winner.

Gimme a guy whose style is either a fit for what the rest of the offense can do, or at least has the skills to allow the team to build a style of offense that works for them.

 

[Boston Boxer]

since this is a multi-year rebuild, why not take MHJ at #3 or trade down with Minn (both their #1 this yr and their #1 or #2 next yr). Then, draft Jordan Travis from FSU in the 6th or maybe 7th rd. He is recovering from the leg injury and you would sit him this years anyway. Spend this year and next rebuilding this team and be ready to go in Mayo's 3rd year.

 

[mgteich]

IMHO the most important objectives for the rebuild this season should be as follows:

1. Addressing the QB position through the draft, predicated on a strategy to put that player in the best position to succeed and lead the team in the future, not necessarily his first year. They have made a credible first step in that regard by bringing in Brissett who, in comparison to the other options available, is a reasonable "bridge" to that future.

2. Achieving alignment within the coaching staff, and between the coaching staff and the player personnel staff. I am not familiar enough with the backgrounds of the coaches they brought in to know who worked with who in the past, but for this to work towards the success we hope they achieve in the future the "football management" need to learn how to work together well.

3. Addressing the OT and WR position through the draft and success in developing their younger players. I don't think they have their future LT1 on the roster yet, and they certainly don't have anyone at WR that other teams need to game plan for.

4. Achieving progress in the development of players already on the roster and their draft and rookie free agent class at positions other than OT and WR. In particular at FS, boundary CB, and TE. This is squarely on the shoulders of the new coaching staff. They must have results similar to what we saw Covington achieve with Barmore last year.

5. Extend top players already on the roster (examples include Barmore, Judon, Peppers, Dugger, and Stevenson).