This year is make or break for New England QB Mac Jones. Jones has had highs and an equal amount of lows. He is a starting-caliber NFL QB but has yet to put it together with the Patriots. After years of being at the top of the division with the best QB of all time, Tom Brady, the Patriots have been unable to ascend that mountain once more due to a lack of talent. The Patriots do not draft talent; they draft fit and personnel.
The Patriots will have a busy off-season if they plan to compete. They are still rebuilding. A few moves, however, would push this team into consideration. The big move that the Patriots will look to make is a trade for star WR DeAndre Hopkins. Giving Jones a true WR1 will show the Patriots if he is the answer at QB. If a QB can’t excel throwing to a receiver like Hopkins, that QB is simply not good. The Patriots should be able to get Hopkins for nothing more than a second-round pick. The draft board has no second-rounders projected to be nearly as good as Hopkins.
After giving Jones one of the best receivers in the game, the offensive line needs to be revamped. Isaiah Wynn is good as gone. The Patriots have been good about finding solid offensive linemen, so replacing him should not be a problem. It is hard to see the Patriots being able to bring Jakobi Myers back since he will get a bag from a team like the Bears. The Patriots could look to dive deep into this free-agent class with many solid WR2s.
The Patriots hold the 14th pick in this year’s draft, and many options will fit their needs. The big splash would be drafting tight-end Micheal Mayer. Myers has the potential to be a generational talent at TE and would fit nicely with a team that has yet to have much production from their overpaid TEs. Another option at 14 is one of the many CBs projected to go in the first round. Devon Witherspoon and Cam Smith seem like Patriot fits. Many believe that Witherspoon will be long gone by the time the Patriots’ pick comes around, but Smith should still be there. Smith would be a great addition to this aging secondary in desperate need of some youth.
The Patriots will find a way to stay relevant. They almost snuck into the playoffs, even with shaky QB play this year. With the additions of Hopkins and Mayer, this offense could look a lot different, and Mac Jones will be able to prove that he belongs as a starter in this league.