The Patriots’ offseason signings and draft picks — aside from Drake Maye — haven’t had the best 2024 season. While New England brought back Christian Barmore, Rhamondre Stevenson, Jabrill Peppers, Mike Onwenu and Kyle Dugger, players like Antonio Gibson and K.J. Osborn — who were brought in to help bolster the team — haven’t panned out.
Osborn was released by the Patriots on Tuesday and it drew the ire of longtime Boston sports fan and founder of The Ringer, Bill Simmons.
“If you take out picking Drake Maye at #3 (which was the most obvious pick possible), the Patriots first offseason of draft picks and free agent signings without Belichick was legitimately an F-minus,” Simmons posted to X. “Bad draft picks and super-cheap discount spending. You get what you pay for.”
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Osborn’s playing time diminished and only had one touchdown in seven games. He never quite made an impact on the roster, nor did he really carve out a role for himself in the wideout group.
Antonio Gibson has just 373 yards and one touchdown in 13 games. The running back is three seasons removed from a 1,000-plus yard season. But, like Osborn, hasn’t made a lasting impact thus far.
Chukwuma Okorafor was supposed to help at left tackle, but he was placed on the reserve/left squad list in September.
As for some of the 2024 draft picks, Ja’Lynn Polk has just 12 catches and two touchdowns, while Javon Barker has been targeted once in eight games, Jaheim Bell has one yard on one catch and Joe Milton hasn’t made his way into a game since the preseason.
There’s still time for the rookies to figure their game out, but it’s been a trying season all around for the Patriots despite Maye showing some optimism week after week.
The Patriots have four games remaining in the season. They’ve already been eliminated from the playoffs, but they can try to at least end 2024 on a high note.
