What Do The Patriots Need?

[BigKen]

Looking at the Patriots no one can be sure if they'll have any gaping holes when the draft is over and most of the quality free agents have found new homes. So let's look at the Patriots position by position and speculate a bit...............

QB All set for now. JG and Brissett appear to be in place to back up the GOAT.

RB If Blount does leave, the Pats could use a bruiser to run between the tackles. Lewis is good but he's
not a pounder.

TE Gronk, Lengal, Allen.........maybe use a late pick to have a futurebfall back.

WR They are hitting 30 and we all know that the smaller guys tend to start getting seriously
hurt. For 2017 this position appears to be set.

OT May be time to draft a tackle. Especially a blind side protector. Solder played the whole
season in 2016 but has been injured in the past.

OG May be set for now and there is flexibility with the personnel on the Patriots.

LS All set



DE Losses here make this a position that will need to be addressed. A cheap FA like
Dwight Freeney and maybe another would be good teachers for a couple draftees.

DT Have a couple and if Alan Branch comes back DT is set.

ILB There are several and they can play. Keeping HT would go a long way in securing
the ILB position.

OLB Could use one with experience and who plays a bit above average. Drafting one for
the future would very nice.

Safety Set for now, but need a #3 or #4.

CB With #1 and #2 testing the free agent market, this appears to be the position of
greatest need. Top CBs are not cheap and BB doesn't like breaking the bank for
anything or anyone that will upset his Value System.

K All set for now.


So from my cheap seats, I'd say the critical need is cornerbacks, followed by defensive line and linebacker. Maybe an offensive tackle and a power running back.

Signing a few free agents will make the draft much easier.

 

[nefansince75]

Pats are like a tall stack of fluffy pancakes, just need some better syrup. An upgrade at any position will help (other than QB), but what they have executes fine.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Doing great right now with their FAs returning and the two signings of Allen and Gilmore. If they somehow lock up HT and Butler the offseason will have been a huge success.
If that happens RB and DE become priorities in the draft. Add a TE and WR (perferably some to return kicks).

 

[CreepCreep2014]

Be nice to lock up Butler, but we don't have to this yr. I think that is what BB is trying to do. Let's get past this yr, make more and when the cap goes up, we can extend at a number we both like. NOW, Butler may have other thoughts on this...LOL

 

[nefansince75]

Why is it the players don't get they have two contracts: first with the union that allows them to play period; and second with the team. It's the first contract that limits their earnings upfront and not the team.