The Patriots have 3 hidden roster holes entering the NFL Draft

Think the Patriots solved all their problems in free agency?

Think again.

“In the end,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft began last week, “if you want to have a good, consistent, winning football team, you can’t do it in free agency.”

To that end, the Pats will continue revamping their roster during the NFL Draft later this month. The front office understands it must supplement the high-priced veterans acquired in free agency with young talent that can eventually replace aging members of the team’s core. The Patriots have ranked among the NFL’s worst-drafting teams the past five years, a troubling trend that led directly to their spending spree.

To avoid renewing this cycle of failure and free agency, the Pats must hit on a few draft picks, particularly at positions of need. Quarterback is the obvious starting point.

Beyond quarterback, here are the other positions —  hidden soft spots on the Patriots’ remade roster.

1. Cornerback depth

The No. 1 reason for the Pats to ignore trade offers for Stephon Gilmore and keep him is Gilmore’s a damn good football player. The second is they don’t have much of a Plan B.

If Gilmore exits, the team’s remaining cornerbacks will be out of their depth. J.C. Jackson’s roller-coaster second half last year proved he’s not ready yet for the No. 1 mantle. Behind him, Jonathan Jones is the only corner under contract beyond this season, with players like Joejuan Williams and Myles Bryant better described as specialist and hybrid players, respectively, at this time.

It’s conceivable Williams, who’s played more than 28 defensive snaps in just two games over his career, could be on the bubble come training camp. As a prospect, he profiled as the player the Patriots now need: a potential starter built to play in a man-to-man scheme, who boasts length, physicality and ball skills. The Pats traded up to select Williams with the 45th pick two years ago. They’re scheduled to draft at 46th overall this year.

There’s also Jalen Mills, a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none defensive back, whose struggles as a pure corner forced his transition to safety in Philadelphia last season. Mills’ instant success in a multi-dimensional role attracted the Patriots front office this offseason, but it would be unreasonable to ask him to become a pure coverage player again, throwing his career in reverse.

Adding a Day 1 or Day 2 prospect is the ideal solution, in the short- and long-term.

2. Offensive tackle

There’s no question the Pats upgraded at offensive tackle last month, essentially swapping Marcus Cannon for Trent Brown.

The question is how long the upgrade will last.

Brown has returned to New England on a restructured 1-year deal, presumably to play right tackle, while Isaiah Wynn is back as the O-line’s other bookend. Wynn might be entering a contract year, too, if the Patriots don’t pick up his fifth-year option by May 3. So unless the Pats assure themselves they want and can retain both players, they’ll be hunting for a new starting offensive tackle in 2022.

As the depth chart stands today, the most logical choice would be projected swing tackle Justin Herron, a 2020 sixth-round pick. Herron played left and right tackle as a rookie and should be penciled in for a couple starts this season, given Wynn’s injury history and the fact Brown has played 16 games just once the last four years. He’s an overlooked piece of the Patriots’ puzzle right now.

As such, the Pats could provide Herron some rookie competition this season and next, unless they’d prefer to pull another 2020 draftee, Mike Onwenu, from his natural spot at guard and wipe out their interior depth. Because there is no public evidence that suggests backup Korey Cunningham or 2019 third-rounder Yodny Cajuste is ready for a swing role, let alone a starting job. Expect the team to target an offensive tackle late in the draft.

3. Wide receiver

The most obvious hole on this list requires the least explanation.

Free-agent additions Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne projected as starters the moment they signed because the Pats have fielded one of the NFL’s least-threatening wide receiving corps for two years running. According to reports, the Patriots have been shopping N’Keal Harry, an unequivocal bust through two seasons who nonetheless fills a line on the depth chart. Take him and Julian Edelman out of the picture, and the Patriots are suddenly left with two newcomers, Jakobi Meyers and … ?

As for Edelman, last month it was reported he hadn’t fully recovered from the knee injury that caused him to limp through games last October and finish the season on injured reserve. His knee trouble is chronic, according to the Herald’s Karen Guregian, meaning it’s been far longer than five months he’s dealt with the pain and lack of explosion that cut his 2020 season short. Edelman is actually in Year 2 of the injury, which is why he’s looked like himself in just two games since November 2019.

It shouldn’t entirely surprise. Edelman turns 35 in May and is renowned for squeezing every ounce of potential from his body to enjoy a legendary career worthy of the Patriots Hall of Fame.

His body is just running low. It happens. And it’s time to refill the receivers room.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3cNRrov