Who will carry the ball on early downs?
They’ve had an active free agency period this year with some impressive signings and moves that are right in their wheelhouse, but the Patriots free agency needs are still apparent. Trading for Martellus Bennett and the signing of Shea McClellin are the headline moves, while Chris Hogan should also step into a significant role if he can get on the same page with Tom Brady.
Wide receiver was the biggest need coming into the offseason, and while Hogan isn’t the flashy name many wanted, he fits the mold of what it takes to be successful in this offense in a variety of receiving roles. I’d welcome another signing at the position, at least as camp fodder. The Pats have been linked to James Jones and Anquan Bolden, both are still available, as is Rueben Randle.
Each day that goes by their prices go down a bit as well.
Again, no one left on the market will change the offense like Bennett should at tight end, but the lack of depth is still scary. Wide receiver figures to be a major area of focus in the draft.
The biggest surprise for me of free agency thus far has been the Pats not signing a significant running back. They kicked the tires on a number of backs including Bilal Powell and James Starks before settling on the disappointing Donald Brown. I still see running back as the biggest need facing this team, and while re-signing LeGarrette Blount would certainly help, the Pats need an early-game grinder to loosen up the defense.
Again, running back should be a position to address in the draft and there are a number of options who could step in and help. That’s the beauty of having a rotation, a rookie can immediately play a role. Still, I wouldn’t mind adding Joique Bell to a cheap deal.
Funny how so much of the overreaction to the season-ender was aimed at the offensive line yet Jonathan Cooper isn’t quite what everyone was expecting this offseason. A lot of the speculation was on cutting Marcus Cannon and/or Sebastian Vollmer and bringing in a free agent tackle to start. The depth is now impressive along the interior where the Pats have promising young players two-deep at each guard spot and at center.
No Must-Fill Holes for Draft
My belief was always to find an athletic swing tackle in the draft and groom them for the right tackle spot in 2017. I think tackle can be the first position they target, perhaps even moving up in the second round to get someone they like.
The only position left that the Pats haven’t addressed at all in free agency that they should is at cornerback. I’ve been fine all along brining back Tarrell Brown. He looked like a starter heading into last season before his lingering foot issue caught up with him. If he’s healthy, he’d make sense. They don’t need a sure-fire starter, just a smart vet who can enter the mix against Logan Ryan at right corner.
The biggest chips to fall this offseason will be the internal extensions, which aren’t expecting to begin negotiations until after the draft. There are many significant free agents next offseason, the Pats need to start locking up the core now.
The bulk of the free agency work is done. The front line on both sides of the ball is just about set outside of the questions at running back in specific matchups, although one might wonder what they think about Donald Brown. I see him as camp competition. Maybe the Patriots have higher hopes. They could use some depth in a few areas, but at this point any addition will be likely placeholders to safeguard against having to reach for any needs in the draft.
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