The Patriots have to add X!
They have to go get Y!
They're falling behind so many teams in the AFC!!
What a bunch of sports talk radio baloney.
No, the Patriots don't have to do anything, anywhere ... if they believe in their monumental offseason a year ago when they spent $234 million for the season, and an NFL record in guarantees. Their offseason, when they had a huge financial advantage over just about any team, and when the Patriots were actually fully staffed with experienced front office personnel and coaches.
A year ago, Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler had a big say in New England's offseason plan and who the Patriots went after — you know, people that helped the Patriots improve by three games and return to the playoffs ... with a rookie quarterback.
Sure, there were some issues with some of the players last year who didn't exactly earn their pay, but it was the first year for the rookie group with Mac Jones. If you thought every player was going to arrive here and be a Pro Bowler the first season, you need to step away from fantasy football.
But there's nothing to say they can't continue to improve with another season in the system. The best deal might be the ones they don't make.
Let's take some of the lines you've heard all the way back into last season, and throw the ol' wet blanket on them.
The Patriots have to get Mac a No. 1 outside receiver!!
I mean, it would be nice, don't get me wrong, but the Patriots signed Nelson Agholor last year – and they could have had anyone — because he was going to give them an outside threat that was at least as good as Brandin Cooks. Agholor was not that last year, strangely a year after he was for the Raiders and Derek Carr (18.7 yards per reception). Maybe the issue wasn't Agholor. Maybe he was just a byproduct of the offensive line being bad for half a season and not giving Jones much time, a conservative offense to help the rookie QB, and Jones just being a rookie. Is it really outside the realm of possibility that Agholor could be much more productive with Mac 2.0 in 2022?
I think Jones would be assisted much more by a true slot receiver to help him, like a Braxton Berrios.
The Patriots have to get faster on defense!!
Yes, they do. We've been saying that for, what, three years? But does that really need to come from free agency? Not necessarily. Raekwon McMillian, signed a year ago, was a starter-level player headed for a big role before he was lost for the season. Cam McGrone was taken in the fifth round despite tearing his ACL. Anfernee Jennings should be back in play, and you know Belichick is going to keep that Alabama product in the mix.
And then there's this ... seriously, WTF ... PLAY THE KIDS. Josh Uche, Chase Winovich, Ronnie Perkins ... you drafted these guys, and high! What have they been doing for the last two, three years? Do you have coaches that actually get paid to develop players, or are they just there for the snacks? On most teams, those three guys alone would be impact players in the front seven.
IT. IS. TIME.
The Patriots need to get a cornerback!!
Ok, actually this one is true, after Belichick's debacles with Stephon Gilmore's trade situation, and JC Jackson's franchise tag — and not drafting anything that can play behind those guys, the Patriots are desperate for a decent veteran man corner. The problem is, there aren't many out there.
Jonnu Smith and Davon Godchaux were awful last year, cut bait!!
Yes, they were terrible last season, but sometimes that happens, at least with Smith, in a new offense, new locale and a new QB. There's no question about his attitude and work ethic, and he could totally rebound in Year 2. Plus, that's a really tough contract to move.
Godchaux has less of an excuse. He's been in this system and productive in it before. He had some moments, but the Patriots can't have that nose tackle play again and be good on defense.
I would cut bait with both of them, but I could understand the Patriots reloading with them — and the rest of their roster. They did a ton of work last year with some bright minds around on these guys. If you believe in what you're doing as a team, you don't change streams after one season, one that semi-successful. You look forward to all those players being better in the second season.
WHAT BEDARD THINKS HE THINKS AS FREE AGENCY STARTS
1. I think the Patriots are looking to get a little more dangerous on the outside — as we've reported since the combine — but it will likely come via trade (Robby Anderson) or street free agency (Jarvis Landry) rather than free agency, as to not offset the JC Jackson departure with compensatory picks. It would be smart to flip Agholor back to McDaniels, Ziegler and the Raiders and be a little more dangerous there.
2. Go get a real slot receiver. Make Jakobi Meyers your No. 4. Behind the new No. 1, Kendrick Bourne and the slot. Braxton Berrios would be a natural.
3. Expect the Patriots to be in on the secondary part of the corner and linebacker market.
BEDARD'S WISHLIST
In my dreams, the Patriots...
1. Sign Allen Robinson
2. Sign Braxton Berrios
3. Sign LB Foyesade Olokun or De'Vondre Campbell
4. Sign CB Stephon Gilmore
New England actually...
1. Signs Marquez Valdes-Scantling, DJ Chalk or Keelan Cole to augment Agholor.
2. Sign Berrios.
3. Sign LB Leighton Vander Esch.
4. Sign CB Levi Wallace.