The New England Patriots finished 2022 by missing the playoffs for the second time in three years, an outcome that is well below the standard the Patriots are used to seeing over the last 20-plus years.
The Patriots are into full 2023 planning mode and looking for talent to round out a much-improved roster and coaching staff for next season. That’s coupled with the scheme changes that are sure to come from the hiring of Bill O’Brien as the new offensive coordinator.
There is clearly a lot of work to be done. Here are the Patriots’ biggest needs in the offseason.
1
Offensive Tackle(s)
Now that Bill O’Brien is officially the Patriots offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the Patriots, and more specifically quarterback Mac Jones, should have the offensive coaching to get back to 2021’s production at the very least.
They improved on paper talent-wise in 2022, but ultimately, they couldn’t produce on the football field.
There is optimism surrounding the team that O’Brien will supplement the staff with proven coaches who will develop the players on the team while preparing for weekly opponents, which is something Matt Patricia and Joe Judge failed to do in 2022.
Regardless of the coaching, the offensive line play was brutal. Although the interior play was good, the offensive tackles struggled throughout the year. If the Patriots wish to improve in 2023, they will need better tackle play, and they should be able to find it early in the draft, along with plugging in some veteran stop gaps like Mike McGlinchey, who may pop free this offseason.
One thing is for sure: The Patriots will probably need to add two tackles, and re-sign Connor McDermott and Yodny Cajuste, preferably, for camp battles to check this box.
2
Outside Corner
Jalen Mills is a super-underappreciated corner, and alongside Jonathan Jones, both defensive backs have shown they could run with the best of them when counted on. Sure, generational talents like Justin Jefferson gave them problems, but who doesn’t have issues with Jefferson?
The Patriots currently have three free agent corners with Jonathan Jones, Myles Bryant, and Joejuan Williams. That leaves Jalen Mills, Jack Jones, Shaun Wade, Quandre Mosely, Tae Hayes, and Rodney Randle Jr. as outside corners, whereas Marcus Jones is the only true nickel and slot corner on the roster.
With Mills struggling to stay healthy and Jack Jones being hit with disciplinary action late in the season, outside corner is a need the Patriots should prioritize to avoid a steep fall-off with their passing defense.
The Patriots could opt to bring back Jonathan Jones, but I wouldn’t count out a free agent signing for Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Greedy Williams, or Bryon Murphy, if they shake free. They certainly could target an outside corner in the 2023 NFL draft, if they want to get younger.
3
No. 1 wide receiver
The Patriots could be losing Nelson Agholor and Jakobi Meyers this offseason, and there isn’t a lot on the roster after 2023, as Tyquan Thornton is currently the only wide receiver under contract in 2024.
So there isn’t much in the pipeline for the Patriots. Agholor is all but gone, and Meyers may get too expensive in a weak free agent WR class. But that is just the depth, as the Patriots could still bring Meyers back, and all will be good, right?
Wrong.
The Patriots still need a true No. 1 receiver for Mac Jones in Year 3, which is typically the most important year for a young QB on a rookie contract. This is the year the Patriots decide if Jones is the guy, because after the season, they’ll have to choose whether or not to pick up his fifth-year option and possibly extend him long-term.
Even if Jones winds up not being the guy, the Patriots still need a true threat for opponents to game-plan for, and someone who can break the game open with pure talent.
That’s obviously easier said than done, but if an elite receiver shakes free via trade, the Patriots should be the ones to aggressively add them. However, if no trade scenarios open up, the Patriots could look to use one of their first two draft selections on a receiver, if they become enamored with one.
I usually hesitate on the Patriots drafting receivers early, but if O’Brien is going to have a presence in personnel decisions, and if Matt Groh is continuing to take a larger approach, I’m okay with taking chances again. For every N’Keal Harry, there is a DK Metcalf and vice versa. But the only way to know is to try.
4
Three-down inside linebacker
Linebacker is not a heavy need, but Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai are not game changers. The Patriots need a linebacker that can play sideline-to-sideline with speed and agility to cover and stuff the run, while having the versatility to occasionally rush the quarterback.
That’s easier said than done, but the Patriots need to at least select a linebacker in this year’s draft and begin development. With Raekwon McMillan and Mack Wilson Sr. likely failed experiments in New England, the Patriots could still look to move towards the modern linebacker, and less of the downhill options this offseason.
Looking toward free agency and the draft, there are plenty of options, including retaining the aforementioned McMillan or Wilson Sr.
5
Run stuffing nose tackle
Shifting to more athletic, versatile linebackers is what the modern NFL is all about.
But if you wish to stop the run, you need bigger lineman. The Patriots have some size on the line with Deatrich Wise, Davon Godchaux, Christian Barmore and Lawrence Guy, but they still lack a true nose tackle that will eat up blockers, along with possessing the necessary power to hold his ground against opposing running backs.
This move will allow linebackers to make plays on the outside. If the Patriots can find a two-way nose tackle that can generate pressure and stop the run, teams will have a tough time getting past the line of scrimmage, especially with the way the Patriots handle the safety position in using them as hybrid linebackers.
