Giardi: Grades are in for the Patriots offense

As we're at the bye week, I thought I'd hand out grades to each player on the roster, starting with offense today. This is based on live game notes, film study (I watch 'em over and over, so you don't have to), and conversations I have with both sources inside the building and league sources I've cultivated over 25 years. Without further ado (drumroll, please)… let's have some fun (he said, with a Ron Burgundy question mark at the end of it).

QUARTERBACK

Mac Jones (D-) - I don't give the completely overwhelmed signal caller an "F" because he's not exactly surrounded by elite talent. The offensive line was wretched through the first month-plus of the season, settled down to a degree with Mike Onwenu being kicked out to right tackle, but then was a train wreck in Germany. Five sacks in the first half. A pressure rate that Bedard had at right around 60% is no kind of way to rebuild a broken QB. That said, he has been an error repeater since the season's opening week, and he should have earned a more significant share of the blame pie from last year's debacle. As I wrote yesterday, the humane thing to do is sit him down and find him a new home in the offseason.

Bailey Zappe (F) - Had he shown a scintilla of anything - in his mop-up appearances versus Dallas and New Orleans, he probably would have unseated Jones. But his lousy spring adjusting to the Bill O'Brien offense continued into the summer and the fall. I also thought his postgame press conference at his locker following that Saints game was filled with thinly veiled shots at Mac. Dude, you got cut in August and returned with your tail tucked between your legs. Or at least you should have. A little more self-awareness would be admirable. That said, Zappe appears on track to get another crack at starting and can either change the narrative surrounding him or cast the final stone of his career in New England.

Will Grier (P) - I can only grade him on a pass/fail scale, as we have yet to see the dude take a single snap. There was some internal buzz about him the first week or two that they had him in here, but that noise has quieted significantly since.

RUNNING BACK

Rhamondre Stevenson (C) - Stevenson is one of your best players on offense, but didn't play like that for the first two months of the season. His lack of usage/practice time in the summer was curious, although he indicated it was more about the team trying to manage his workload. But there were also some rumblings of a lingering injury, and I wonder if that carried over into the season. Stevenson didn't run with his usual decisiveness, nor did he finish runs like he always has - which is to say, snatching souls. But in the last two weeks, first vs the Commanders, then against the Colts, the third-year back looked every bit like the player we've been accustomed to seeing. Feed him, BOB. Feed him more.

Ezekiel Elliott (B-) - He has been more consistent as a runner than Stevenson, and despite what I would have observed as at least one mental error per week, his contributions have exceeded my expectations. Not only that, but his presence in the running back and locker room has me wondering if he's not worthy of bringing back for another go-round next year. He's still physical. He's still got a good burst. And he has handled pass pro well enough. 

Ty Montgomery (F) - I have no idea why he's here. I felt that way 7 months ago. He's done nothing to change that thought. He has literally made zero impact.

WIDE RECEIVER

Kendrick Bourne (C+/B-) - Tough injury for him. He was angling for a multi-year deal and probably a raise over the $6 million he currently earns. Now, who knows? He's looking at a make-good, one-year contract. The good with Bourne - he's a playmaker. His added strength didn't diminish his speed or quicks, and he did some excellent things with the ball in his hand. The bad is that he was good for at least a couple of wrong routes each and every week. 

DeVante Parker (F) - He's missed three complete games and parts of a 4th. Except for being force-fed the ball in week 2 vs Miami (6 catches, 57 yards), he hasn't recorded more than two catches in any other game. This continues a downward trend in his career that peaks in 2019 and has descended statistically and by the eye-test every season after that. It is still bewildering that Belichick felt the need to reward him with a new deal, albeit one that reduced his cap hit for this year. And who can forget him dropping the bomb from Mac in Vegas or the way he handled it in the immediate aftermath?

JuJu Smith-Schuster (D) - I can't blame him for having a bad knee and still finding a way to be out there almost every week. That's not his fault. That's the team for signing damaged goods. Every once in a while, JuJu makes a contested catch, giving me flashbacks to what he used to be. I'll also credit him for never ducking the media. He's answered every question we've had for him. You may not care about that, but to me, it shows a player who remains engaged and has pride.

Demario Douglas (A-) - We touted him all summer, and despite that fumble against Miami (that led to a foolish benching), he has been as good as I envisioned. He is quick in short spaces, has excellent hands, and has a penchant for making the first tackler miss. His last four weeks have seen an uptick in targets and touches. That should continue. A real bright light in a subpar offensive season.

Jalen Reagor (D+) - He is what we thought he was. A journeyman. Inconsistent hands. 

Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte (Inc) - Neither has been active much, and when they have been, there has been little to see. These final seven games are critically important for both of them. Show something or else?

TIGHT ENDS

Hunter Henry (B-) - I could boost the grade to a B for his accountability and leadership, but it's been a struggle production-wise. He's been playing through some stuff that has robbed him of some of his quickness, but he makes sure he's in the lineup damn near every play. He is still the most consistent route runner they have, and he gives effort as a blocker, even if that's not his strength. 

Mike Gesicki (C-) - He was brought here to help fill the void created by Jakobi Meyer's departure. About that…In his defense, Mac has had him for a couple of big plays - the would-be TD in Germany, the deep shot Mac chose not to throw vs Washington - that would change his production level. That said, square peg. Round hole.

Pharaoh Brown (B) - He has given them more in the passing game than anyone could have expected. Despite the size, it's just a so-so blocker but has exceeded expectations.

TACKLES

Trent Brown (B+) - When he's played, he's been good to quite good. He also gutted out that game in Miami on a bad wheel that has since cost him some time. Do I wish he showed up in shape? Yep. Do I wish he was consistently engaged? Yep. But the Pats knew what they signed up for, and, gulp, I'd consider bringing him back again. These guys don't grow on trees.

Mike Onwenu (B) - I don't care what he did at guard once he finally returned from injury. I care how he's helped stabilize the line since moving to right tackle. He was immense as a run blocker vs the Colts and played high-level football in Miami and Washington. Of all the fgree-agent-to-be's, he's the one I make sure I sign.

Conor McDermott (C-) - Signing him off the street after his preseason injury and then having to play him at left tackle has gone about as expected. He's a 4th tackle. He's trying. 

Vederian Lowe (F) - Good kid. Been overwhelmed on either side. 

Calvin Anderson/Riley Reiff (-) - I'm not grading either guy. Anderson has been dealing with a serious illness that made him a shell of his former self, and Reiff's career appears over with multiple injuries after a rough summer. 

Tyrone Wheatley Jr (Inc) - Has yet to play a snap.

GUARDS

Cole Strange (C) - Injuries got him off to a slow start. He's had some good moments vs Miami and Washington but took a step back against Indy. I don't know what he's going to be. I figured we'd have a better read on this by now.

Sidy Sow (C) - He's a guard, not a tackle. It's criminal that they tried to make him do that, even with all those injuries. He's ahead of the other two draftees this year (Jake Andrews and Atonio Mafi). You can see his power in the run game. He helped open some of those holes against Indy. Leaves a lot to be desired as a pass blocker. 

Atonio Mafi (C-) - Feels like he's a little too heavy. Gave them some moments, including in the opener against the Eagles' great defensive line. If they can get him in better shape, he could push Strange at best and, at worst, be the third guy.

CENTER

David Andrews (B+) - Has done his damnedest to keep an ever-changing offensive line together and continues to do so at a high level. As good a leader as they've had in two decades, right up there with McCourty, Slater, etc.

Jake Andrews (Inc) - Nothing to see here yet

KICKER 

Chad Ryland (C) - He's done good work on kickoffs and seemed to be settling into a nice groove kicking field goals, then missed a 35-yarder in Germany that he can't miss. Need him to be better on that front. Nick Folk, meanwhile, is having an awesome season for the Titans.