On December 20, 2020, the New England Patriots lost to the Miami Dolphins 22-12 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. The loss resulted in the Patriots elimination from playoff contention. The following week, the Buffalo Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs, obliterated the Patriots 38-9 on Monday Night Football. The loss was the biggest home loss for the Patriots during the Bill Belichick era. The Patriots limp into the final game of the season with a 6-9 record, squaring off against the 2-13 New York Jets in Foxboro. When the clock hits zero on that game, it will mercifully end the Patriots worst season since 2000, Belichick’s first season as head coach (when they finished 5-11). At any rate, there were some positives for the Patriots this season, as some young players stepped in and played well. However, in the big picture, the Patriots have major work to do this offseason.
On a positive note, some young players did emerge this season. Running back Damien Harris has rushed for 691 yards in 10 games. Harris, who is powerful and fast, might be the Patriots best offensive player and is a building block going forward as the lead running back for the Patriots. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, an undrafted free agent signed in 2019, had a breakout season, leading the team in receiving. Fellow receiver Damiere Byrd, who was on and off the Carolina Panthers roster early in his career (and who had a one year stint with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019), has had a career-high this season in receptions and receiving yards (46 receptions for 597 yards). He is still only 27 years old. Right tackle Michael Onwenu, a sixth-round pick in 2020, stepped in as a starter in his rookie season and played very well. Defensively, 28-year-old safety Adrian Phillips, a free agent signing from the Chargers, leads the team in tackles this season after being a part-time starter his first six seasons in the league. Third-year cornerback J.C. Jackson has 8 interceptions on the season, good for second in the NFL (trailing only Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard). Finally, 2020 second-round safety Kyle Duggar has had a promising rookie season, establishing himself as a hard hitter who plays with reckless abandon.
The Patriots do have numerous holes to fill, however. Quarterback Cam Newton has struggled this season, throwing only 5 touchdown passes this season and ranking 26th in passing yards (though Newton has 12 rushing touchdowns and has been solid in the running game). Newton’s struggles in the passing game are not solely his fault (contrary to the scuttlebutt that dominates the local radio airwaves). Outside of Meyers and Byrd, the Patriots receivers have been below average, struggling to create separation all season. The Patriots have had anemic production out of their tight end position, as their tight ends have combined for 15 receptions in 15 games. On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots have a desperate need for a pass rusher, as they have only 21 sacks this entire season. They have been gashed on the ground, ranking 27th in rushing yards allowed. A microcosm of their struggles were seen in their December game against the Dolphins, where they allowed Miami to rush for 250 yards (in spite of the fact the Dolphins have one of the league’s worst running games). These issues point to the fact that the Patriots need help throughout their defensive line and linebacker corps.
Fortunately for the Patriots, there are lots of ways for the Patriots to improve. One avenue the Patriots can use to improve is the NFL Draft (where they will be picking 15th as of today). Scouring the web, one sees many mock drafts projecting the Patriots to fill their needs at receiver or tight end. Popular names projected to go to the Patriots are Alabama receivers Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle (two speedy, big-play receivers). Another common pick for the Patriots is Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (the consensus top tight end in the draft). Personally, I think the Patriots would be better served dealing with their wide receiver need in free agency, as Bill Belichick has generally had a very difficult time drafting wide receivers throughout his tenure as Patriots coach. The good news for the Patriots is that, according to Spotrac, the Patriots are projected to have 72 million dollars in cap space to shop in free agency. There are productive receivers galore in free agency this year. The elite guys include Allen Robinson (Bears), Kenny Golladay (Lions), Chris Godwin (Bucs), and Will Fuller (Texans). Other free agent receivers include Marvin Jones (Lions), Corey Davis (Titans), and Juju Smith-Schuster (Steelers). The tight end position is thin as far as free agency, but Hunter Henry (Chargers) and Jared Cook (Saints) could be targets of the Patriots. As far as the front seven, the Patriots do still have linebacker Dont’a Hightower under contract (following his opting out of the season due to Covid), and his return would help the Patriots pass rush and run defense. In free agency, linebackers such as BJ Goodson (Browns) and Avery Williamson (Steelers) could help the Patriots run defense as well. In terms of their pass rush, there will be plentiful options available for the Patriots at defensive end/linebacker, including Yannick Ngakoue (Ravens), Melvin Ingram (Chargers), Leonard Floyd (Rams), and Haason Reddick (Cardinals).
Last but not least, the Patriots will need to look at their quarterback position. Cam Newton will be a free agent at the end of the season. Bill Belichick has been steadfast in his support for Newton all season, in spite of calls for second year quarterback Jarrett Stidham to take over. He has also been a terrific leader and teammate. Maybe Belichick opts for continuity at the position next year, re-signing Newton for a short term deal with the hopes that a full offseason with the team (he signed June 28) and a couple of weapons added to the offense leads to success for Cam in 2021. If Belichick wants a different QB, there should be a number of possible options. Given the Patriots draft position, they will not be in position to land one of the elite QB prospects such as Trevor Lawrence (Clemson), Justin Fields (Ohio State), etc., so free agency and the trade market would be the Patriots best bet to acquire a new starter. Free agent quarterbacks include solid stopgap options such as Ryan Fitzpatrick (Dolphins), Andy Dalton (Cowboys), Tyrod Taylor (Chargers), and Philip Rivers (Colts). Should the Patriots look at the trade market, there are a number of quarterbacks that could be available. Matt Ryan (Falcons), Matthew Stafford (Lions), and Gardner Minshew (Jaguars) are all solid quarterbacks who could be on the move given the fact that their teams will all likely have new coach/general manager combinations and the fact that their teams will be in advantageous positions to pick from the elite college QB’s. The Patriots could also call the San Francisco 49ers and see if quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is available. Garoppolo, a former backup to Tom Brady, could be on the chopping block given his durability issues and the fact that coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t seem to fully trust Garoppolo in terms of running a pass-first offense.
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