MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – At 4:28 p.m. Drake Maye was in the hallway of Hard Rock Stadium’s visitors locker room.
The Patriots 34-15 loss hit the rookie quarterback hard. Before meeting with the media, Maye stood outside the door of the press conference room where he leaned up against a large blue bin with his head in his left arm.
Just around the corner, it was a different scene with several players on offense smiling and laughing with one another. It was a strange scene for a team that was embarrassed by the Miami Dolphins. Although not everyone was happy – several players were upset – the sounds of light laughter filled the side of the room where offensive players got dressed.
The mood was in stark contrast to the Patriots quarterback.
“It’s tough. I’ve said before, I hate losing more than I like to win,” Maye said. “Losing sucks. I told some of the guys — remember this feeling. Remember this feeling of really getting our butts whooped today. I think it’s only up from there. We have a bright future and bright players in there that will make a difference for the Patriots.”
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Maye returned to the locker room at 4:36 p.m. He looked angry and was quiet as he sat in his locker with a dejected look on his face. There was no laughing for the Patriots No. 3 overall pick.
As Patriots players quickly exited the building to get on the team bus, Maye took his time. At 4:48, he was still seated inside his locker, quiet and reading off his phone. Before long, most of the offensive players were gone.
At 4:54 p.m., Maye stood up, dressed in a gray Patriots sweatsuit and he grabbed a backpack. There were three other offensive players left in the room when the quarterback smiled slightly at one reporter before heading for the exit.
The juxtaposition of Maye’s reaction to the loss compared to some of his teammates was striking. This rookie looks the part. The Patriots roster does not.
The Patriots have their quarterback of the future. That much is clear through 12 weeks of the 2024 season. It’s also clear that this franchise is far away from competing with the NFL’s best. After Sunday’s loss, the holes on this roster are eye-opening.
This offseason, the Patriots need to completely overhaul its offense and add more playmakers on defense. They need to do all they can to make the most of having a talented quarterback on a rookie contract.
Here’s a look at the work Eliot Wolf has to do and what positions the Patriots need to upgrade:
Tackle
Sunday’s loss was another reminder of what the Patriots lack at offensive tackle. It was also clear they need two of them.
In the first half, left tackle Vederian Lowe was called for four penalties – three false starts and a hold. Right tackle, Demontrey Jacobs was called for two first-half penalties – a false and a hold.
That was only part of it. Both tackles allowed crushing sacks on Maye. With 2:27 left in the third quarter, Zach Sieler blew past Lowe to strip-sack the Patriots rookie quarterback. Jacobs struggled mightily allowing multiple sacks to Chop Robinson. It got so bad that the coaching staff pulled the right tackle out of the game in favor of Sidy Sow.
The Patriots should get some help back this season when third-round pick Caedan Wallace returns. However, the front office needs to prioritize the tackle position. The Patriots need to give Maye elite or at least above-average tackles. The franchise needs to protect its most important asset. That’s why they should aim to sign an accomplished veteran tackle and then draft a rookie tackle high next spring.
Wide receiver
This is an annual plea, but the Patriots need a top-flight, No. 1 receiver.
On Sunday, DeMario Douglas led all pass catchers with five catches for 62 yards. Kendrick Bourne was next among receivers with three catches for 30 yards. Douglas is a fine slot receiver. Bourne is a solid Z-receiver. The Patriots need dominance. They need to find a pass catcher who keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
This offseason, the Patriots signed one veteran receiver – K.J. Osborn – who was a healthy scratch on Sunday. They drafted two rookie receivers – Ja’Lynn Polk (second round) – and Javon Baker (fourth round). Polk had one catch on two targets for 7 yards in Miami. Baker had one target and is still searching for his first NFL reception.
Wolf made big offers for Calvin Ridley and Brandon Aiyuk. He needs to swing big again.
Outside cornerback
The Patriots have a No. 1 cornerback and budding Pro Bowler in Christian Gonzalez. They severely lack a capable No. 2.
On Sunday, Gonzalez, who was limited with a hip injury, did his part in keeping Tyreek Hill (49 yards) quiet. The Patriots had no answers for the Dolphins No. 2 receiver, Jaylen Waddle, who finished with a career-high 144 yards to go with a touchdown. Waddle’s damage came with Marcus Jones in coverage.
Jones is an All-Pro punt returner but at best he’s an undersized athletic slot cornerback. The Patriots need more help at outside cornerback in part because of the decline of Jonathan Jones. The veteran leader has had a nice career in New England but looks more like a safety at age 31.
Pass rusher
The Patriots went into Chicago and sacked Caleb Williams nine times. The next week, against Los Angeles, they finished with zero. On Sunday in Miami, they registered with two from Christian Barmore and core special teamer Brenden Schooler.
This season, Schooler’s two sacks are tied for the fourth on the Patriots. He trails Keion White (5 sacks), Deatrich Wise (5 sacks), and Anfernee Jennings (2.5 sacks).
The Patriots need more. Their pass rush is lacking – and has lacked since Matthew Judon went down last season and then was traded this past summer. The Patriots finished 27th in sacks last season. They entered this week tied for 15th. They need more help.
Linebacker
It hasn’t been the same since Ja’Whaun Bentley went down with a season-ending injury. His absence has been a reminder of the Patriots’ lack of depth at the linebacker position.
Jahlani Tavai has been forced to step up – and at times out of his natural spot. This season, Patriots linebackers have been a liability in pass coverage. Newcomer Sione Takitaki hasn’t looked like an upgrade over Mack Wilson, who is having a nice season in Arizona.
Too many times did the Dolphins hurt the Patriots in zone defense. That’s been a common theme this season – isolate a Patriots linebacker in pass coverage and reap the benefits.
Center
David Andrews has been one of the greatest leaders to come through Gillette Stadium. Although Ben Brown has performed admirably, the Patriots offensive line isn’t the same without their captain.
Even if Andrews returns next season, after suffering a torn rotator cuff, the Patriots need to search for better depth at center. Brown has been serviceable but looks the part of a quality backup player. The Patriots drafted Jake Andrews in the fourth round in 2023, but he’s missed all this year due to a lower-body injury.
If the Patriots want to help Maye, they’ll make sure he has an above-average center to work with.
Left guard
Cole Strange was supposed to be the left guard of the Patriots. After being drafted in the first round, in 2022, he was an immediate starter. However, a torn patellar tendon stunted his growth. He returned to practice last week, but the Patriots coaching staff now sees him as a center.
This season, veteran Michael Jordan has started at left guard. Although he began the season on a strong note, he has been a liability over the last three weeks. The Patriots need to make sure they have the right left guard of the future.
Layden Robinson is an option, but the 2024 fourth-rounder played his entire college career at right guard. That spot is occupied by Michael Onwenu.
Out of the Patriots five starting offensive linemen on Sunday, Onwenu is the only lock to be a starter come next season.
The Patriots have their quarterback. They have a lot of work to do to build this team around him.
