We’re running a mailbag on Fridays during the offseason. If you have questions on the Patriots, NFL, or want gripe about past answers, email cmason@masslive.com or tweet @bychrismason. Now let’s get to this week’s questions!
In your opinion, what letter grade should the Patriots receive for its NFL free agency efforts so far? — Ed H.
At this point? I’d give them a C+.
It’s been largely fine. Eliot Wolf and company have made a handful of quality signings, but they’ve left some significant needs unresolved heading into the draft.
First of all, I love the Jacoby Brissett deal. Presuming they take a quarterback at No. 3 overall, that rookie’s development is the most important thing facing the franchise moving forward. Brissett represents the perfect bridge. He’s serviceable enough to stand in so they don’t have to rush the rookie along, and is also revered as one of the best locker room guys in the league. When he was a Band-Aid during the Deshaun Watson’s suspension in Cleveland, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski raved about Brissett’s character.
“He’s just a great dude,” Stefanski told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “I mean, that’s the simple answer. He’s very engaging. He’s very, very intelligent. He’s extremely supportive. I gave him a game ball after (a Week 12 win) just because he’s a team guy. He’s such a great teammate, and it’s all the things that nobody sees that he does in the locker room.
“After-hours calling, texting guys video clips of plays. Those go unnoticed. Not by me, but those can go unnoticed. Well, I should say, they don’t go unnoticed by me or his teammates. And he’s just a truly supportive person. I spend a ton of time with him, and I don’t know that I’ve been around a better teammate in my time. He’s a Hall of Fame teammate.”
So yeah, to get that guy to mentor a young quarterback? Sign me up.
Elsewhere on offense, it was a smart move to retain Mike Onwenu. The Kendrick Bourne signing is great value, Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper were necessary at tight end, and Antonio Gibson should complement Rhamondre Stevenson well. Defensively, Anfernee Jennings could be a cornerstone, Josh Uche was a steal, and I like the film on new linebacker Sione Takitaki. Solid signings abound.
So why the C+?
Coming into free agency, New England’s biggest needs were very clearly quarterback, wide receiver, and tackle. Presuming they take a quarterback at No. 3 and roll with Brissett, that box is checked, but they haven’t addressed tackle or wideout thoroughly enough.
Between Jerod Mayo’s “burn some cash” and Eliot Wolf’s “weaponize the offense” comments, the Patriots braintrust did little to temper the expectations heading into free agency and have yet to realize them. They reportedly liked Calvin Ridley enough to offer him $22 million a year, but ultimately weren’t willing to outbid the Titans. From there, there’s been no Plan B.
And while the wide receiving core remains disarmed, the Patriots don’t have anybody established to protect the quarterback’s blindside at left tackle. They signed Pittsburgh’s Chukwuma Okorafor, who could be a fine swing tackle, but don’t have an obvious Week 1 starting left tackle. That’s a problem. As stated earlier, quarterback development is the most important thing facing the franchise; when the rookie does play, he can’t be afraid of getting pulverized.
Finally, with all of their cap space, the Patriots could have tried to land a superstar at a spot that wasn’t an obvious need. Whether that was because Wolf and company just loved the player or wanted to exploit a market inefficiency, they had the luxury to improve the roster that way. That hasn’t happened. Cash remains unburned.
So ultimately I think free agency has been fine. A C+ effort — however, if the Patriots sign Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith, I’ll bump the mark up into the B range.
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Will the Patriots look into trading for a WR1 or drafting one — @Joe_193477
Given the way the Patriots are building, I think the draft is more likely at this point.
Will Jacoby Brissett start all 17 games even if they only go 4-13? – Mark M.
It all depends on the younger quarterback. When he’s ready, he’ll start. With Wolf and Mayo committed to a long-view rebuild, the team’s record won’t get Brissett benched. The rookie’s readiness will.
Seems like even though they didn’t want Bill Belichick buying the groceries anymore, they re-signed 75% of his draft picks. Please explain — Ben J.
The guys up for contracts this March are from the 2020 Draft, which was Belichick’s best in recent memory. That’s why Kyle Dugger, Mike Onwenu, Anfernee Jennings, and Josh Uche are back in the fold. They’re good homegrown players.
On the flip side, the reason the Patriots were courting Calvin Ridley at upwards of $20 million a year is because they whiffed so badly on N’Keal Harry, and they’re likely to spend the No. 3 overall pick on a quarterback because Mac Jones’ development was a disaster. There’s not a single player left on the roster from the 2019 draft class, only two from 2021, and Cole Strange and Tyquan Thornton were their top picks in 2022.
So while the 2020 draft class was good, but not enough around it was. That’s how the Patriots ended up at 4-13 and tied for the worst scoring offense of the past decade.
Wide receiver or left tackle with round two pick? – John K.
I’d go receiver because I think the draft is particularly deep at that position this year. Keep an eye on Georgia’s Ladd McConkey if he’s still on the board at No. 34 overall.
How would you rate newly signed TE Austin Hooper? An upgrade from Mike Gesicki/Pharaoh Brown? – Alexander S.
Solid. He can be a threat in the passing game and blocks well, which is more than you could really say about either Gesicki or Brown. Gesicki was totally miscast in New England. It was like the Patriots liked the idea of the hybrid pass catcher when they saw him sitting in free agency, but then had absolutely no idea how to utilize him when the time came.
As far as Brown goes, I wouldn’t have minded if they’d brought him back as a No. 3 blocking tight end, but understand him wanting to go somewhere with more snaps. I really liked the through-the-whistle mentality that he played with.
What is the likelihood of the Patriots looking to trade down out of No. 3 to accumulate more first and second round picks for this year and beyond? Then drafting a WR, LT & QB (maybe Michael Penix at No. 34?) with what could potentially be three Top 50 picks? – Adam A.
Unlikely, but obviously not totally impossible. I think the Patriots are set on taking a quarterback at No. 3.
Beyond New England’s current internal plans, because of kids staying in school due to NIL money, this is a particularly top heavy draft. Teams will try harder to hang onto their picks in the first three rounds accordingly. As such, a Godfather-style offer would likely have a lot of picks in future drafts, which might be less appealing to Wolf and company.
Will Bailey Zappe make the 53-man roster? – Brad
Right now I’d put the odds at 29%. I wouldn’t bet on it, but he’s got a chance.
