TAKING STOCK: 2022 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

BY ADAM GREENE

Let’s be clear. No one wanted this. After taking a year off and falling back into the ranks of the NFL’s also-rans, the New England Patriots made a triumphant return to the postseason as a Wild Card and we all pretty much hated it.

But, they earned it. Mac Jones had the best season out of all the rookie quarterbacks and Bill Belichick was once again dialed in and embarrassing superior opponents when the opportunity suited him. For a while, there was a real mathematical chance that we could see a Brady vs Belichick Super Bowl until you remembered that Jones was still a rookie and no one has enjoyed a glass slipper like that in the NFL in the league’s storied history.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

2021-22 Record: 10-7, second place AFC East

Playoffs: Lost 47-17 to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round

NOW WHAT?

They’ve had the coach for two decades and a quarterback to match. And while Mac Jones isn’t Tom Brady and probably won’t be the best QB out of his draft class when it’s all over, he’s definitely good enough to win in the NFL with Belichick running the show. What he’ll have to learn is how to do it without Josh McDaniels calling the offense. Mike Lombardi, the team’s former wide receiver coach, takes over the role.

They  have a self created hole on the offensive line after trading guard Shaq Mason to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They also switched out linebackers with the Cleveland Browns, sending them Chase Winovich for Mack Wilson.

FREE AGENCY

New England has spent the early part of free agency keeping their own good players, re-signing safety Devin McCourty, kicker Nick Folk, quarterback Brian Hoyer, special teamer Matthew Slater and running back James White. They still have about $12.9 million in available cap, so they don’t have to shut down operations just yet. They do need to keep enough money free to sign their draft class and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them dump off N’Keal Harry in a trade for a late round pick sometime on draft day.

DRAFT

Speaking of the draft, I had the Pats taking Ohio Sate wide receiver Chris Olave out of Ohio State at No. 21 in my first mock draft. This makes a lot of sense with Harry in the doghouse and probably moving on and Jones needing a young, talented wideout to grow with in the offense. Olave was one of the wave of skill players to put forth a sub 4.4 40 yard dash at the combine and his production at the college level, against legit competition, should make this an easy card to turn in.

Outside the first round, the Pats need to look at defensive backs and linebackers. Quay Walker, linebacker out of Georgia could be there in round two and Jones’ former Alabama teammate Josh Jobe, a cornerback, could be there in the third round.

AFC EAST

The AFC East is a new monster these days, with legitimate head coaches at every franchise. Belichick can’t win these games before the teams take the field anymore. The Buffalo Bills should remain the class, so the battle is for second place and the Wild Card. The Patriots should still be better than the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, but it’s potential Wild Cards out of the AFC North and AFC West that could make New England sit at home in January.

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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