Free agency has brought the Patriots 13 new players and 7 re-signings.\u00a0 They have 80 players under contract and that is a very high number for this time of year. \u00a0\u00a0They have filled most of the holes on the roster and upgraded their depth.\u00a0 The Patriots had 30 Free Agents or potential vacancies from last season\u2019s roster.<\/p>\n
David Andrews, James White, and Lawrence Guy were all re-signed.\u00a0 That\u2019s three captains and leaders in the locker room. \u00a0\u00a0This is significant when rebuilding this team.\u00a0 Many of the Free-Agents that signed here said they wanted to play for Bill Belichick and the Patriots.\u00a0 Trent Brown was traded back to the Pats and said that playing for the Patriots was the best experience he has had in Pro Football<\/p>\n
How do these signings shape the roster and affect how the Patriots select players in the upcoming Draft?\u00a0\u00a0 I will attempt to list what I perceive as the Patriots’ needs.\u00a0 We all know from looking back at the history of Bill Belichick drafts that he is unpredictable.\u00a0 One thing we do know is that he will make trades whenever possible. \u00a0Up and down the draft board to get the players he wants.\u00a0 They are not necessarily what other teams want, nor how the experts have them ranked.\u00a0 The Patriots have a draft board of only about 75 players.<\/p>\n
The Patriots have 10 draft picks currently.\u00a0 They could get two more through trades of N\u2019Keal Harry and Stephon Gilmore.\u00a0 The Patriots will not use all 10 picks, so look for Bill to trade up by packaging some picks.<\/p>\n
The primary need is a QB.\u00a0 Cam Newton is not the answer.\u00a0 He is nothing more than a backup or bridge QB until the rookie is ready to play.\u00a0 The Patriots are picking at #15, the highest in the draft since they drafted Jerod Mayo.\u00a0 There are 5 noteworthy QBs in this draft and some say the top QB\u2019s may go 1-4 in the draft.\u00a0 A trade-up between 4-7 would be in line.\u00a0 That may require 1st<\/sup> and 2nd<\/sup> picks this year and next to get it done.<\/p>\n Belichick may wait until the later rounds and select one of the second-tier QB\u2019s.\u00a0 The bottom line is QB is the top priority in the draft.<\/p>\n Note:\u00a0 I am assuming a trade for Jimmy Garappolo is not happening.<\/p>\n The next need is Cornerback, with the expected departure of Gilmore.\u00a0 A trade for Gilmore should bring back the 2nd<\/sup> rounder.\u00a0 He could be included in a deal for the franchise QB. \u00a0JC Jackson is a Restricted Free Agent.\u00a0 They tendered him at a second-round level.\u00a0 I believe they did this to entice teams to make him an offer.\u00a0 They wouldn\u2019t make an offer if he was tendered at a 1st<\/sup> round level.\u00a0 The Patriots did this so that other teams are doing the negotiations for them.\u00a0 They are setting his market value.\u00a0 I expect Jackson to be signed to a long-term contract with his offer (if any) or his 2nd<\/sup> round tender to be the base of his contract.\u00a0 The Jackson situation will be resolved before the draft.<\/p>\n The next priority should be a versatile Offensive Lineman.\u00a0 They are already 7 deep on the line and have the possibility of being the best offensive line in the league.\u00a0 Belichick, like a chess master, is always thinking one move ahead, one year ahead.\u00a0 Trent Brown and Ted Karras are on one-year deals.\u00a0 Isaiah Wynn is a pending Free Agent.\u00a0 With the departure of Joe Thuney, the LG position is open.\u00a0 We expect Michael Onwenu to fill that position.\u00a0 Onwenu has never played on the left side.\u00a0 Next year he could move back to tackle.\u00a0 Since Karras is the backup OC I would like this draftee to be a combo LG\/OC.\u00a0 Two players match this requirement, Quinn Meinerz OG\/OC Wisconsin-Whitewater (D III) and David Moore OG\/OC Grambling.<\/p>\n I am not happy with our Wide Receiver group despite the signings of Agholor and Bourne.\u00a0 I think Edelman is done.\u00a0 Combine his age and the knee injury, and this might be the end of his spectacular career with the Patriots.\u00a0 I would like to see a true X big wideout with speed, and\/or a speedy, quick-twitch slot receiver.<\/p>\n We don\u2019t need a running back, but we tend to draft one every year.\u00a0 Michel will be a free agent in 2022, White is signed to a one-year contract, and Bolden is 31.\u00a0 There are several pass-catching RB\u2019s in the mid-rounds of the draft.\u00a0 Running backs have been devalued by teams and you can get a good one in the 4th<\/sup> or 5th<\/sup> rounds.<\/p>\n We still need a true nose tackle.\u00a0 Godchaux will start and has a reputation as a run stopper.\u00a0 We re-signed Carl Davis and he played well in the three games he appeared in.\u00a0 However, he has a history of concussions and can\u2019t be trusted to play a full season.<\/p>\n Finally, we need a free-safety.\u00a0 Devin McCourty will not be here forever.\u00a0 Remember, a year earlier, rather than a year late.\u00a0 There are several developmental-type free safeties that could be available late in the draft.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, can you believe the numbers that are being reported from the Pro Days?<\/p>\n CLEMSON:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pro Day Numbers<\/strong><\/p>\n WR Amari Rodgers 4.51 40<\/p>\n WR Cornell Powell 6\u2019 \u00bc 204, 4.51 40, 6.93 3 cone. 36.5 Vert<\/p>\n TEXAS:<\/strong><\/p>\n Edge Joseph Ossai 6\u2019 3 5\/8, 256, 4.65 40, 41.5 Vert<\/p>\n ARKANSAS STATE:<\/strong><\/p>\n WR Jonathan Adams 6\u20193\u201d 214, 4.59 40, 7.04 3 cone<\/p>\n OKLAHOMA:<\/strong><\/p>\n OC Creed Humphrey 6\u20194\u201d 312, 29 Bench, 5.09 40<\/p>\n RB Rhamadoe Stevenson 4.63 40, (poor time)<\/p>\n GEORGIA:<\/strong><\/p>\n CB Eric Stoke 6\u2019 194, 4.34 40,<\/p>\n CB Tyson Campbell 6\u2019 1\u201d 193, 4.37 40<\/p>\n Edge Azeez Ojulari 6\u2019 2\u201d 249, 4.6<\/p>\n DJ Daniel 5\u201911\u201d 183, 4.5 40<\/p>\n GRAMBLING:<\/strong><\/p>\n LG\/OC David Moore 6\u2019 1\u201d 330, 31 Bench, 5.17 40<\/p>\n AUBURN:<\/strong><\/p>\n WR Anthony Swartz 6\u2019 186, 4.26 40<\/p>\n LOUISIANA TECH:<\/strong><\/p>\n DT Milton Williams 6\u20193\u201d 284, 4.62 40, 6.87 3 cone<\/p>\n CENTRAL ARKANSAS:<\/strong><\/p>\n CB Robert Rochell 5\u2019 11 \u00bd\u201d 193, 4.39 40, 6.83 3 cone<\/p>\n 49\u2019ers pull off the big trade \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n They traded #12, 2022 1st<\/sup>, 2023 1st<\/sup>, 2022 3rd<\/sup> (compensatory) to Miami for pick number 3.\u00a0 According to Chris Simms of Pro Football Talk, their target is an NFL-ready Quarterback, Mac Jones of Alabama.<\/p>\n Contrary to what most Pats fans think, Jimmy Garappolo will not be available for trade.\u00a0 49\u2019ers will play Garappolo and have the rookie on the bench learning.<\/p>\n Miami trades with Philadelphia to block Patriots? <\/strong><\/p>\n Miami wasted no time in trading #12 to Philadelphia for #6, thus blocking the Patriots trade partner for the 5th<\/sup> QB available.\u00a0 It was an expensive trade to move up 6 spots.\u00a0 Miami gave up #12, #123 and 2022 1st<\/sup> round picks. \u00a0\u00a0Philadelphia also included #156.<\/p>\n Perhaps the real reason for the trade is to select one of the top Wide Receivers available in the draft.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Some thoughts on the Patriots free agents along with pondering what the team might do in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":26278,"comment_status":"open","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":[10],"tags":[22265,34,216,22530,522,22505,121,1801,78,17,22508,1430,2309,1695,44,1776,1354,1029,1785],"class_list":["post-36237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news","tag-2021-patriots-draft","tag-bill-belichick","tag-brandon-bolden","tag-carl-davos","tag-david-andrews","tag-davon-godchaux","tag-devin-mccourty","tag-j-c-jackson","tag-james-white","tag-julian-edelman","tag-kendrick-bourne","tag-lawrence-guy","tag-michael-onwenu","tag-nelson-agholor","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-sony-michel","tag-stephon-gilmore","tag-ted-karras","tag-trent-brown"],"yoast_head":"\n