Grading the 2019 Patriots V: Elite Thuney, White, Edelman led way for offense that saw talent level plummet

Before an NFL team turns the page on the previous season and moves forward to the next, they put the team and their players under a microscope to see what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to be changed/altered to make progress in 2020.

Obviously, we have no idea what the Patriots’ internal grading looks like, and we don’t anticipate Bill Belichick opening up his grade book to the public anytime soon. So, we’re left to do our homework with some assistance from people who have knowledge of how the Patriots view things.

So we’ll start our dissection (which is a homage to my mentor, Bob McGinn) with an overview of the team and positions, and then we’ll move onto individual player grades/assessments. Finally, we’ll conclude with our imitated but never duplicated offseason depth chart coded for performance and contract status, and with a comprehensive analysis of team needs headed into the ’20 offseason.

Here's the 2018 version.

Part I: Grading the 2019 Patriots: Patriots were better overall, but tilted too much to the defense; Brady improved
Part II — Team grades for passing offense, rushing offense.
Part III — Team grades for passing defense, rushing defense, special teams.
Part IV — Team grades for personnel moves, coaching and overall.
Now: Part V—Individual offensive grades.
Next: Part VI—Individual defensive grades.

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And with that, let’s get started…

Next up: Individual grades for offensive players.

Grades are only for players who played snaps on offense. The criteria used is how the player performed compared to the average NFL player at his position this season only (it is not a projection or comment of a player’s future), and injuries are not taken into account because the information is incomplete. Role on special teams not taken into account. Grade chart:

A: Elite player (top 4-5 at position).
B: Good starter (top 10-15).
C: Average starter/reserve.
D: Starter/reserve and in danger of being replaced.
F: Reserve/should be replaced.
Plus: Ascending player this season.
Minus: Descending.

QUARTERBACKS (2)

Tom Brady (98.8% playing time): Through the first three games, everything looked great and the Patriots appeared to be on their way to threatening another 16-0 season. Brady completed 68 percent of his passes for an average of 303.7 yards, threw seven touchdowns against zero interceptions, 9.92 adjusted yards per attempt and posted a 116.5 passer rating in wins over the Steelers, Dolphins, and Jets. The rest of the season, including the playoff loss to the Titans: 59.4 completion percentage, 242 yards per game, 17 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 6.17 adjusted yards per attempt, and a 82.0 rating. What was the difference? Well, the opposing defenses got off to a slow start at two of them and were running new schemes. Buffalo smacked them in the face in Game 4, and we knew the first eight games were going to be the weak part of the schedule. There was more film on revamped offensive personnel that opposing defenses didn't know much about. But, mostly, the team started backsliding with injuries to James Develin, Isaiah Wynn, Shaq Mason and all the tight ends. And it didn't get much better. Losing Andrews, Rob Gronkowski, and Develin was the death knell to the running game. Tight end gave them nothing, and Julian Edelman was the only dependable receiver. The result was pretty bad.

Completion percentage: 60.8, lowest since 2004
Adjusted yards per attempt: 6.8, lowest since 2003
TD percentage: 3.9, career-low
Yards per game: 253.6, lowest since 2010
Passer rating: 88.0, lowest since 2013
QBR: 52.5, lowest since it started in 2006

Brady didn't fall off a cliff, he had nothing around him. All he needed was one more viable target, and they couldn't find one because Antonio Brown couldn't stay off his phone. Brady's adjusted completion percentage from PFF (accounts for drops, throwaways, etc.) dropped from 75.6 to 72.9. So there's some evidence that he is showing some decline.
Grade: B-plus.

Jarrett Stidham (1.3%): Got his big chance against the Jets in the third game and promptly threw a pick-six that got Brady back off the bench. Behind the scenes, he made solid progress but not many think he's ready for more than a backup role to start 2020.
Grade: C-minus.

RUNNING BACKS (8)

James White (42.3%): Mr. Indispensable in the Patriots' offense continued to click along while increasing his yards per catch (8.6 to 9.0) and his catch percentage by nearly 5 percent. His yards per carry went from 4.5 to 3.9 — in yet another marker for how bad the blocking was this year. Rightfully saw his workload decrease this year to a normal level as most of the backs stayed healthy.
Grade: A.

Sony Michel (36.6%): Despite being in his second season and with more touches, Michel saw his stats take a hit in virtually every area. Yards per attempt went from 4.5 to 3.7, even his catch percentage dropped from 63.6 to 60 percent. Most of the issues were with the blocking, and I think we put to bed the question of exactly how good Michel is: he's the type of back who gets what is blocked, and not much more. And those guys are a dime a dozen, not first-round picks. One area where Michel showed real progress? He was responsible for 12 bad runs as a rookie, but just four this season. Michel actually has improved this past season.
Grade: C-plus.

Rex Burkhead (22.9%): Stayed healthy enough for 13 games for the first time since 2016 and delivered 4.6 yards per carry and 10.3 yards per reception — both were his best with the Patriots. No question he's an asset when he's on the field, but he's been really expensive and he's not a difference-maker.
Grade: C-plus.

Brandon Bolden (8.3%): The prodigal son returned and he was exactly what they hoped for as a reserve back and a stalwart on special teams. The team needs better than his 22.4 yards per kickoff return. But he's the type of person you want on your team every year.
Grade: C.

Damien Harris (0.4%): With the backfield fully healthy, the rookie was only active for two games. Sure, that had some to do with the lack of injuries. But with the running game in a rut most of the season, if the Patriots thought he could have given them a spark and was as good as Michel, then Harris would have played. He did not. And that tells you a lot.
Grade: D-minus.

Jakob Johnson, FB (6.2%): Went from an international spot on the training camp roster to the practice squad to starting three games at fullback after Develin's injury and looked like he had a lot of potential at the position. Too bad he got hurt.
Grade: D-plus.

Elandon Roberts, FB (5.1%): Became the last man standing at the position after a rash of injuries and after a slow start, had a few really good games before fizzling at the end. Could be a legit fullback if he wanted to put the time in, but the free agent is looking to grab a starting linebacker position somewhere.
Grade: D-plus.

James Develin, FB (5.1%): Some people would lead you to believe that the fullback is the entirety of the Patriots' running game and they shouldn't even bother when he gets hurt. Ok, that's a little bit of hyperbole but it's not that far off. A good player, great teammate and leader but he's not the best fullback in the league and his neck injury is something that could end his career as an NFL fullback. Good player, but there are other options.
Grade: C-minus.

WIDE RECEIVERS (9)

Julian Edelman (87.4%): Despite battling numerous injuries — a shoulder hanging on by a string, a painful knee injury and busted up ribs — the ironman still set a career-high for yards (1,117) and nearly matched his career-highs in just about every other category. His catch percentage dipped from 68.5 to 65.4 but that was because of his injuries and not being able to make the catches he once did. He may be entering his age 34 season, but he deserved a Pro Bowl spot this season. Doesn't get the credit he should.
Grade: A-minus.

Phillip Dorsett (49.1%): Despite the Patriots having no receivers, he didn't set career-highs in catches or yards. And his catch percentage dropped from 76.2 to 53.7. That shows you that Dorsett is at his best and most productive as a No. 3 or 4 receiver ... but the Patriots had to play him at the No. 1 X because they had no other options. He can't win against those cornerbacks.
Grade: C-minus.

Jakobi Meyers (36.2%): The undrafted free agent popped early in the offseason and ended up showing that he could be capable of much more. Reminds me of a very young Troy Brown and he has that sort of potential. Brady should have used him more.
Grade: C-plus.

Mohamed Sanu (33%): Traded for a second-round pick and ended up posting career-lows in every category as he got hurt on a punt return and was never the same. Had one productive game against the Ravens (10 for 81) and then didn't produce better than 3 for 35. That's not even close to good enough. He better get healthy and be productive in his final contract season or this trade will be an epic fail.
Grade: C-minus.

Josh Gordon (27.9%): Flashed his great potential in the first three games with 15.9 yards on 11 receptions and 8.8 yards per target, but then slumped to 12.4 yards per catch and 7 yards per target and was released as the team sensed another suspension coming his way. The Patriots were right on the nose because he lasted just five games with Seattle before being suspended again.
Grade: F.

N'Keal Harry (19.2%): The first-round pick missed much of training camp with injuries and then was lost for half a season after a preseason ankle injury. In seven games, produced just 12 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Was better as a runner. Still, showed that he has ability if he has confidence and plays fast. Needs quick improvement in the offseason.
Grade: D-plus.

Gunner Olszewski (6.9%): Undrafted free agent who throws his body around lasted eight games before landing on injured reserve. Showed some potential in the slot and as a punt returner. They'll be looking for better athletic ability.
Grade: D-plus.

Antonio Brown (2.1%): Put. The. Phone. Away.
Grade: F-minus.

Matthew Slater (1.8%): Still a stud special teams player but getting long in the tooth.
Grade: A-minus.

TIGHT ENDS (4)

Ben Watson (40.6%): He was done before he unretired and came back to the shorthanded Patriots. Decent blocker and caught passes on his frame, but he was way too slow getting down the field. Even on a team desperate for anything out of the tight end position, he couldn't give much.
Grade: D-minus.

Matt LaCosse (37.7%): Injured his ankle in a preseason game and battled the proverbial high-ankle sprain the entire season. Shame because he flashed some potential as an average tight end but we didn't get to see it enough.
Grade: C-minus.

Ryan Izzo (23.3%): Played only 238 snaps due to injury but still wound up with the fourth-most bad runs allowed on the team (11.5) and he gave up three pressures in 30 pass blocks. Undersized tight end is fine out on pass routes, but he's going to need to get a lot stronger if he wants to stick around.
Grade: D.

Eric Tomlinson (6%): Was a street pickup for a cup of coffee and wasn't half bad. Had potential as a blocker but the Patriots needed to keep their precious roster spots for defensive and special team reserves.
Grade: D-minus.

TACKLES (4)

Marcus Cannon (87.7%): People will find this hard to believe, but Cannon posted almost the same stats (5.7 pressure percentage, 17 bad runs) as the season before in double the snaps. He's basically been the same player in his time here: good but inconsistent pass blocker, and a very good run blocker. Battled some injuries and an illness this season. Not sure if he's worth his salary, however.
Grade: B-minus.

Marshall Newhouse (64.5%): Despite being signed off the street and having to play left tackle, actually didn't do that bad of a job compared to Isaiah Wynn. Their stats were very similar. Pressure percentage 8.0 Newhouse, 8.3 Wynn; Bad run percentage: 3.4 Newhouse, 4.1 Wynn. That being said, the Patriots gave Wynn more to do and less help. Still Newhouse wasn't the total train-wreck most made him out to be.
Grade: C-minus.

Isaiah Wynn (43.7%): The first-round pick finally graced us with about half a season and he showed much promise, but you have to wonder if he might be kicked inside to guard. Has to stay on the field consistently.
Grade: C-plus.

Korey Cunningham (5.1%): The Patriots traded for him before the season and he never threatened to help much of anything. Pretty much a waste of a trade.
Grade: D-minus.

GUARDS/CENTERS (5)

Joe Thuney (99.2%): Not that he slacked off any other season, but he picked the right time to have a sterling year with just 8 pressures (1.1 percent) and four bad runs (0.9 percent) allowed. Should have been a Pro Bowler but was a deserved second-team All-Pro. Simply a phenomenally consistent performer who will get paid handsomely this offseason. A terrific player.
Grade: A-plus.

Shaq Mason (92.9%): Saw his stats suffer in every area — QB pressures from 14.5 to 27; bad runs from 15 to 17.5 — as he seemed to be dealing with some sort of lower-body injury that affected his tremendous athletic ability. Appeared to get healthier down the stretch but his step back was a huge blow to the offense in general and poorly timed with all the other issues.
Grade: B-minus.

Ted Karras (90.5%): Forced to start at center with the illness to Andrews, Karras fared pretty well although the difference in athletic ability and style showed up in the run game. Andrews allowed 16 QB pressures in 2018 and Karras gave up just 19. But Karras basically doubled Andrews' bad runs from 8.5 to 16.5. The Patriots could have used a more agile backup but Karras is a good guy to have around at all three interior spots. Could get a starting job elsewhere this offseason.
Grade: C-plus.

James Ferentz (17.8%): Subbed for Karras and Mason in a couple games and was decent in the running game (3.7 bad run percentage) but was atrocious pass blocking (9.8 pressure percentage). The Patriots have to find better, someone with some upside.
Grade: D-minus.

Jermaine Eluemunor (2.5%): Basically was a waste of a fourth-round pick to the Ravens. If he was decent, the Patriots would have thought about playing him at guard and moving Thuney to left tackle or center. That obviously never came close to happening, which tells you what they thought of him.
Grade: D.

INJURED RESERVE (Incompletes)

David Andrews, C: Boy, do they need him back and fully healthy. A huge part of what went wrong with this offense.

Yodny Cajuste, OT: He'll at least be a backup tackle next season, but with a good showing he could cause a lot of discussion about what to do at left tackle and left guard.

Hjalte Froholdt, OG: One of the biggest disappointments of training camp got a redshirt season and we'll have to see if he took advantage of it.