This is The Gridiron Review’s New England Patriots 2023 Offseason Team Breakdown. We provide you with all things you need to know about the Patriots heading into FA and the draft. We also provide our thoughts on the needs of the team and how we think they can be addressed!
New England Patriots 2022 Record: 8-9
New England Patriots Salary Cap(According to Spotrac): $38,388,722
Notable Free Agents(According to Spotrac):
- Damien Harris, RB
- Jakobi Meyers, WR
- Nelson Agholor, WR
- Isaiah Wynn, OT
- Mack Wilson, LB
- Jonathan Jones, CB
- Myles Bryant, CB
- Devin McCourty, S
- Jabrill Peppers, S
Team Needs: WR, OL(Primarily Depth), LB, FS
3 Free Agent Targets(In No Order):
- DJ Chark, WR
- Mike McGlinchey, OT
- Jessie Bates III, S
New England Patriots First Round Pick(s): Pick 14
3 Draft Prospect Fits/Targets:
- Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
- Jordan Addison, WR, USC
- Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Our Patriots Ideal Offseason Plans/Thoughts:
- Somehow, year in and year out, the Patriots seem to have a good amount of cap space. They don’t really ever pay anyone, and when they have, it has not worked out much (Henry and Jonnu have been disappointments).
- The Patriots need a WR1. They haven’t had one since Julian Edelman, who wasn’t even like a true WR1. It seems like that’s what they tried to do with Jakobi Meyers. The Pats finally brought in a bigger WR in DeVante Parker, but he didn’t quite have the role you would’ve hoped. They could bring back Meyers based on what he’s looking for, but it shouldn’t be prioritized. Bourne is more than capable of taking over the slot and has already been paid. Look for the Pats to target a bigger WR like DJ Chark in FA. Chark only signed a one-year prove-it deal last offseason as a bet on himself and it worked out for him (although he continued to have injuries). The Pats could also take a WR with pick 14. If they plan on moving on from Bourne it could be our WR1 Zay Flowers. If they keep Bourne and don’t address outside WR in FA it could be USC’s Jordan Addison.
- If the Patriots spend big money it’s usually on the offensive line. They could definitely bring back Isaiah Wynn, but they could also look to upgrade. The Pats could make a move for the best RT in FA, Mike McGlinchey.
- It seems the Patriots want to bring back LB Mack Wilson, which we really like the idea of. We are not the biggest Bentley fans, but think Tavai is a great fit in NE. The LB room for the Pats is thin, and even the starters could be better. If you want to talk about a “Belichick” player look no further than Arkansas’ Drew Sanders. Sanders would absolutely be an upgrade on anyone currently in their LB room, and in the Patriots defense could be an absolute freak.
- The Patriots CB room is pretty strong. They should definitely try to bring Myles Bryant back, and Jonathan Jones to reunite the Jones trio (joining Marcus and Jack) touring cities near you. If Jones is not brought back they could address the depth of the room, but they should be okay otherwise. At safety, the Patriots need a FS. They have plenty of strong safeties, but they need a true free safety. It’s hard to imagine McCourty goes anywhere other than NE, and it’s hard to imagine the Pats not wanting him back, but it will probably come down to the money. McCourty’s career is coming to an end soon anyways, and the Pats could be looking to address the future of the FS position. Don’t be surprised if the Pats make a push at Jessie Bates to take over and be the future of the FS position.