{"id":26929,"date":"2020-01-17T07:00:43","date_gmt":"2020-01-17T12:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=26929"},"modified":"2020-01-16T21:26:41","modified_gmt":"2020-01-17T02:26:41","slug":"building-the-2020-patriots-roster-where-are-the-biggest-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2020\/01\/17\/building-the-2020-patriots-roster-where-are-the-biggest-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Building the 2020 Patriots Roster, Where are the Biggest Needs?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Patriots have a lot of work to do in the offseason and although the new league year doesn\u2019t begin until March, their 2020 season starts now. They have to replace another coordinator (STs\/WR coach Joe Judge) and perhaps their college scouting director (Monti Ossenfort) who is being interviewed for the open Cleveland Browns GM position.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then there are a slew of the team\u2019s free agents to decide upon. We\u2019ll get to those in good time as we\u2019ll take a look at where the team needs are. And a lot of what drives the train is always money. The Patriots have about $49 million to spend. It sounds like a lot. It is not. Especially when considering if the Patriots cut ties with Tom Brady is will cost them $13.5 million in dead money and a new contract will not come cheaply.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s take a dive into the roster by position …as currently constructed and see where they\u2019re at.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quarterback:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Jarrett Stidham, Cody Kessler <\/span>
\n<\/span>*Free agent: Tom Brady<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The Elephant in the room and all of the ridiculous (and it IS as ridiculous as it is maddening) drivel about non-existent homes in Greenwich, his luxury suite at Gillette and the amateur psychologists who became overnight experts at reading body language and hidden meaning in every word of his have gotten out of control.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our feeling here hasn\u2019t changed. We feel that Brady will return given that the Patriots don\u2019t really want to ear $13.5 million bucks. Plus, there isn\u2019t anyone on the roster that is a no-brainer to take over. Stidham may well be that guy, but we don\u2019t know and haven\u2019t seen him take a meaningful snap in months.\u00a0 So until Bill Belichick or Brady comes out and definitely says he’s not returning, we’re going under the assumption he’ll be back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Running Back:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead, Brandon Bolden, Damien Harris, Fullbacks James Develin, Jakob Johnson\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is where things can get interesting. The team is set here at running back. In fact they\u2019re a little too deep. They could add $4 million in cap space by releasing Rex Burkhead. However, Burkhead was their most productive back down the stretch, as he was a year ago. But injuries always seem to cut into his season and the team just spent a good draft pick on Damien Harris. Burkhead is a guy to keep an eye on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Develin had a neck injury and those can be tough to come back from. Don\u2019t be shocked if they add another fullback this spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wide Receiver:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu, N\u2019Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski, Quincy Adeboyejo (future), Devin Ross (future) <\/span>
\n<\/span>*<\/span>Free agent: Phillip Dorsett<\/b><\/p>\n

The need for a speedy, reliable wide receiver here is critical. Edelman is going to be 34, Sanu will get all spring\/summer to acclimate into the offense. Meyers and Harry will be fine. A lot of their issues had to do with overthinking things and that will be rectified in Year\u00a0 2. Look for them to try to sign a fast, veteran outside wide receiver, possibly two and cut their ties with Dorsett.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tight End:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Matt LaCosse Ryan Izzo <\/span>
\n<\/span>*Free agent: Ben Watson\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The most critical need of the Patriots, of the offense and the team overall. The offense really lacked a viable target down the seams all season.\u00a0 Look for Ben Watson to retire and the team to double-dip here. Look for the team to sign a veteran free agent (Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry?) or try to swing a trade for an established veteran (O.J. Howard attempt again). And then address the need again with a young guy in the draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Offensive Line: <\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Isaiah Wynn, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon, Korey Cunningham, Yodny Cajuste, Hjalte Froholdt, Najee Toran (future) <\/span>
\n<\/span>*<\/span>Free agents:<\/b> James Ferentz, Ted Karras, Marshall Newhouse, Joe Thuney, Jermaine Eluemunor (RFA)\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Another area of need. We heard through the grapevine that Marcus Cannon won\u2019t be returning. If he doesn\u2019t it will free up $5.8 million in cap space, despite him signing an extension last summer. Coupled with the unlikely scenario of Joe Thuney returning means the offensive line has a lot of work to do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yodny Cajuste didn\u2019t take a snap in either a game or practice last year. So, expecting him to just jump in and start is a very long shot. Is Froholdt going to be ready? Doubtful too. Look for the Patriots to bring back Karras and Eluemunor for sure and then address tackle and guard in either free agency or the draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Defensive Line: <\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Lawrence Guy, Deatrich Wise, John Simon, Byron Cowart, Nick Thurman (future), Tashawn Bower (future) <\/span>
\n<\/span>*Free agents: Danny Shelton, Adam Butler (RFA), Keionta Davis (ERFA)<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Look for the team to attempt to bring back Shelton and Butler. But they\u2019d still need at least another big run stuffer and a defensive end that can rush the QB.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Linebacker:<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dont\u2019a Hightower, Ja\u2019Whaun Bentley, Chase Winovich, Derek Rivers, Brandon King, Terez Hall (future) <\/span>
\n<\/span>*Free agents: Shilique Calhoun, Jamie Collins, Elandon Roberts, Kyle Van Noy\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Winovich should be in line for a big uptick in snaps this season. He\u2019s more of a pass rusher than a coverage guy and I\u2019d expect he\u2019ll be tasked with filling the big shoes of Van Noy. I don\u2019t expect Van Noy back this year, he\u2019s in line for a big payday. I do expect them to make a push to bring back both Collins and Roberts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Calhoun may come back and flashed some potential. Rivers is going to have to have a big spring or he may not even be around for training camp.\u00a0 Retooling Hightower’s contract could free up some space.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cornerback:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jason McCourty, Joejuan Williams, Justin Bethel, D\u2019Angelo Ross\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots are in great shape here. With Gilmore, Jackson, and Jones, they have three starting corners who excel at their position. Williams played sparingly in his rookie season and could be ready for a big uptick in snaps. That could put McCourty on the block. If the team were to release him, they\u2019d save an additional $3.8 million.\u00a0 Also, reworking Gilmore’s contract could free up some cap space<\/span><\/p>\n

Safety:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Patrick Chung Duron Harmon Terrence Brooks Obi Melifonwu (future) Malik Gant Adarius Pickett (future) <\/span>
\n<\/span>*Free agent: Devin McCourty\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Big decisions loom here. McCourty arguably had the best season of his career in 2019 and would normally be ready for a big payday. But he\u2019s 33 and with both he and Chung are getting older, the team needs to begin to address the future. Harmon has ostensibly been a starter for several years. Gant flashed a bit in camp last year while Brooks played well. I\u2019d expect they\u2019ll try to bring back McCourty for one more year, but it is time to bring in some younger players and get them groomed for down the road.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Special Teams:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

K Stephen Gostkowski P Jake Bailey LS Joe Cardona <\/span>
\n<\/span>*Free agents: Nick Folk, Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner, Justin Bethel<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t see the team bringing Folk back and I think they\u2019ll bring in another kicker for competition with Gostkowski this summer. Matthew Slater is the gold standard for special teams players. I expect the team to bring him back and to make an effort to bring back both Ebner and Bethel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to our<\/span><\/i> Patriots 4th and 2<\/span><\/i><\/a> podcasts on blog talk radio as Russ Goldman, Derek Havens and myself from<\/span><\/i> PatsFans.com<\/span><\/i><\/a> discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Patriots have a lot of work to do in the offseason and although the new league year doesn\u2019t begin until March, their 2020 season starts now. They have to replace another coordinator (STs\/WR coach Joe Judge) and perhaps their college scouting director (Monti Ossenfort) who is being interviewed for the open Cleveland Browns GM […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":26869,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2216,1198,2220,11,907],"tags":[34,121,154,288,534,17,1215,44,70,38,1776,1354,13],"class_list":["post-26929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2020-patriots-offseason","category-nfl-commentary","category-patriots-2020-offseason","category-patriots-commentary","category-patriots-rumors","tag-bill-belichick","tag-devin-mccourty","tag-donta-hightower","tag-jamie-collins","tag-jason-mccourty","tag-julian-edelman","tag-kyle-van-noy","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-nfl","tag-patriots-edge-rushers","tag-sony-michel","tag-stephon-gilmore","tag-tom-brady"],"yoast_head":"\nBuilding the 2020 Patriots Roster, Where are the Biggest Needs?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"McCourty arguably had the best season of his career in 2019 and would normally be ready for a big payday. 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