Patriots Off-Season Football Review

The 2018 offseason was workmanlike for the Patriots, sticking the same philosophy they’ve mostly gone with over the last 18 seasons. There wasn’t a seismic free agent pickup like Randy Moss or Darrelle Revis,, nor did they roll the dice on a former star veteran in search of a title like Chad Johnson, Albert Haynesworth, Fred Taylor and others.

They watched some steady and beloved players walk to lucrative contracts and traded their way out of having to watch the same thing happen next offseason with Brandin Cooks.

The subtractions, including Nate Solder, Dion Lewis, Malcolm Butler and Danny Amendola stung on multiple levels and will leave the 2018 Patriots with significant questions about who will replace them, but there is good overall depth that should make for good competition for those spots. There is a lot of potential in this 2018 Patriots roster that has not been tapped.

The additions and draft picks were surgically targeted at places of weakness but now those new players must take advantage of the opportunity and that all starts Thursday. There are still questionable areas, but with the best coaching in the league and high standards there will certainly be some new faces that excite us.

For those of you who checked out during the offseason, or just want a clean and easy football-only review of the comings and goings, here’s a quick run-thru of the Patriots’ offseason.

Key Free Agency Departures

Nate Solder — I had Solder as the biggest priority of the offseason but the Patriots let him go to the Giants for four years, $62 million. For the first time, the Patriots had no clear succession plan at left tackle. Matt Light and Solder had similar athleticism to get out on screens and block downfield and that was a large part of the Patriots’ offense. Will they look to continue that athletic style? The left tackle position is wide open and there are a few interesting options.

Danny Amendola — Amendola saved the Pats 2017 season more than a few times. They never would’ve made it to the Super Bowl without him, but this was a clear case of a year early rather than a year late. Amendola was already in game management mode in 2016 and was lucky to step into the primary slot chain mover and punt returner roles without getting injured himself. Amendola might have Wes Welker‘s 2013 with the Broncos, but I’d bet it more likely he ends 2018 on IR and retires in 2019. Two years, with $8.25 million guaranteed was a great last cash out for Amendola and he’ll be welcomed back in New England as a Patriots’ legend any time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNNVXU0KKQo

Dion Lewis — I just knew someone would pay Lewis way more than the Pats even though I desperately wanted to keep him. There was no bigger Lewis apologist than me, his explosiveness and ability to make guys miss was a rare find for the Patriots. I loved watching him play and will be very curious to see if he hits his potential with the Titans.

Malcolm Butler — From Super Bowl hero, to feisty starting corner, to the bench of Super Bowl 52, Malcolm Butler capped one of the truly craziest Patriot careers when he signed with the Titans for five years, $61 million. To the “Bill owes us an explanation” crowd, I can only say that the writing on the wall was clear for most of the season. Butler (and the rest of the secondary) got off to a terrible start to the 2017 season after contract and trade rumors had swirled around Butler all offseason. After being so sick he couldn’t fly with the team to the Super Bowl, he was limited all week before the game. I don’t think Butler was lying when he said it was the perfect storm — a disappointing season, the illness preventing him from full preparation for the Super Bowl, a game known for taking a physical toll due to his sheer length and intensity. That’s not to say I wouldn’t have just thrown him in there in the second half to let him make a play, but there’s at least a valid foundation that this was a feasible coaching decision. One perhaps taken too far, but not made in bad faith. I’ll miss Butler, but not his complaining every time someone completes a pass on him.

Brandin Cooks — A long-awaited deep threat, Cooks had a thrilling first season despite not being a traditional Patriots wide receiver. His “trying-to-do-too much” performance in the Super Bowl was disappointing so it wasn’t a total shock when the Pats flipped him for a first-round pick. The receiver depth chart was already loaded at the end of 2017 and there are a lot of options who could replace Cooks, maybe with less explosiveness but perhaps more consistency and toughness off the line.

Key Free Agent/Trade Additions

Danny Shelton – After a stellar 2016, Alan Branch regressed in 2017 and the Patriots’ run defense fell from 4th in DVOA to 29th. Yes, there were other factors, but the heart of the Patriots’ defense is the two interior defensive tackles controlling the interior of the line. If they’re not making dictating and disrupting the defense won’t work. Now with Shelton, a fascinating combination of size and athleticism, the Pats should get back to the roots of their defense. Shelton was such a good fit for the Pats I swore myself off watching him because I knew he’d be long gone. But now they’ve got him and the former 12th-overall pick could be a transformative player in this defense, especially if he can disrupt the early down passing game.

Adrian Clayborn – After the mass departure of defensive ends in 2017, the Pats never truly recovered. Coupled with even more injuries at outside linebacker, the edges of the Patriots’ defense were soft and exploitable (see Super Bowl 52). Of course, the first thing most fans minds go to is pass pressure production, and while Clayborn has a notable six-sack game, it’s really his toughness on the edge that is most desirable. He was firmly entrenched as a starter in minicamp and there’s no reason to see him not being a bookend with Trey Flowers.

Cordarrelle Patterson – Patterson is an explosive kickoff returner and gadget wide receiver. He’ll replace part of what the Patriots lost in Lewis (KOR) and Amendola (WR depth). He also came on as a gunner in Oakland, another valuable attribute. In a loaded wide receiver group, Patterson would appear to have an inside track on a roster spot. His ability to break big plays could also offset some of Brandin Cooks’ departure.

Trent Brown – Brown’s a monstrous tackle who’s been on the right side for his pro career. He was at left tackle in minicamp but would likely be a step down from Solder in the athleticism department. Brown at left tackle might transform the offense a bit, but maybe that’s a good thing?

Jordan Matthews – If there’s one receiver I’m most excited to watch in camp this week, it’s Matthews. With Amendola gone and Edelman facing a suspension (and 32), the need to develop another slot option who can get open quick and make the tough catches in traffic is reaching a critical point. Matthews has had good production from the slot, but is a bigger receiver, which could be an interesting new element.

Jason McCourty – The twins have been united! Yes, it’s exciting times for twin enthusiasts in New England. Between the Hollisters and now the McCourty’s there will be a lot of secret locker room communication going on. McCourty has been the kind of corner the Patriots like for his entire career with crappy teams. He can play man and zone, and on paper it’s easy to write his name in over Malcolm Butler’s. Still, corner is an unpredictable position and young starters can emerge out of nowhere. McCourty will have to win a job despite his twin status.

Key Rookies

Isaiah Wynn – The book on Wynn is an undersized physical technician. The question is he enough of a technician to stop NFL pass rushers? Especially the explosive ones in the AFC? Wynn might spend this year pushing Joe Thuney and replacing Shaq Mason next year if the Pats can’t re-sign him.

Sony Michel – Replacing Dion Lewis’ playmaking ability is critical, he was a huge spark for the offense last year. Enter first-round running back Michel who is a no-nonsense runner who can bust big plays. The Pats can lean on dual-threat Rex Burkhead or even the winner of the Mike Gillislee–Jeremy Hill deathmatch as Michel gets up to speed on pass protection. But later in the season, an explosive Michel could take some pressure off of Tom Brady and the passing game.

Duke Dawson – A Gilmore-McCourty-Rowe tandem lacks another short quick slot coverman and while Jonathan Jones has shown promise in the spot, Dawson could get a long look in the slot while Jones is on PUP.

Braxton Berrios – As mentioned, the Pats need slot receivers, not to mention another punt returner, meaning the door is wide open for Berrios to bust out.

Ja’whaun Bentley/Christian Sam – Two rookie linebackers who could take adavantage of limited linebacker depth for a roster spot.

Keion Crossen/J.C. Jackson — Two rookie cornerbacks who were seeing plenty of “meaningful” snaps in OTAs.

Conclusion

A final header should be Key Returnees because more than all the new additions, none will have the impacts that healthy Dont’a Hightower and Julian Edelman can have. Right there the 2018 team is better than the Patriots that lost Super Bowl 52. Add in the potential of Derek Rivers and Harvey Langi, along with the new additions and the defense has unquestionably improved. They’ll be more experienced and physical up front and the secondary can settle in around lockdown Stephon Gilmore.

There will significant transition on the offense, but with the key pieces of Brady, Gronkowski and White behind 4/5ths of a returning offensive line, and the foundation is still intact. New pieces must emerge, but there is enough stability in key spots to foster growth.

As always, things will evolve on all sides of the ball and there are still questions, but the Patriots have put together an excellent roster and it will be exciting to see who emerges.