Well, that was some first day for the Patriots in the Mike Vrabel era.
Of course, with glaring needs at receiver (multiple spots) and at least left tackle (if not left guard as well), I'm sure at least some Patriots fans weren't thrilled as they watched the likes of DK Metcalf get traded to the QB-less Steelers, and Davante Adams landing with the Rams. We'll get to that in a minute.
The biggest takeaway from Day 1 of free agency is that Vrabel looked at this team and decided the defense needed a serious overhaul as the team landed impact players at all three levels with Harold Landry and Milton Williams on the defensive line, Robert Spillane at linebacker, and Carlton Davis at cornerback.
That is nothing to sneeze at, especially at the prices the Patriots paid. Williams is the No. 3 defensive tackle in AAV. Davis is now the sixth-highest paid cornerback. Spillane is No. 8 for linebackers, and Landry is about 20th for edge rushers.
Change is coming for the Patriots' defense, and several veterans should be at least a little bit nervous about their futures in New England - and that was before the spending spree.
I went back and watched the Titans' defense against the Bengals in Week 4 of the 2023 season before the wheels came off for Vrabel in Tennessee, mostly due to injury. The Titans absolutely shredded a fully loaded Bengals offense — Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd et al all played (and this was after Cincy's normal opening slumb) — 27-3. Burrow was 20 of 30 for just 165 yards and was sacked three times. He was pressured 19 times (three sacks, seven hits, nine hurries).
The Titans were fast and ferocious, especially up front. The entire defense seems predicated on wreaking havoc up front against the pass and run, while having the ability to change coverages and man-up when needed. Don't take my word for it, watch the film here (no commentary) before I get into more thoughts, including the offense:
The Patriots took a huge step toward becoming that type of defense on Monday. Williams is Vrabel's new Jeffrey Simmons, a game-wrecking three-technique who can align anywhere along the line. Hopefully Christian Barmore is next to him shading the nose, but the Patriots got a little cover with stout Cardinals DT Khyiris Tonga. Keion White and Landry (who doesn't have the same explosiveness as that game) coming off both edges should be formidable with their ears pulled back. Spillane is the type of Mike linebacker that can go forward and backward, although his cover skills are a little lacking. Having two man-cover corners in Christian Gonzalez and Davis (drawback is he's injury-prone) to pair with Marcus Jones (for now) will allow the Patriots to slip in and out of man coverage.
So, yes, the defense is better today.
Players I have tabbed as questionable fits now: LB Ja'Whaun Bentley, LB Jahlani Tavai (perhaps he could be on the outside), DE Anfernee Jennings (rotational for now) and safeties Jabrill Peppers and Marte Mapu.
You better be fast and physical if you want to play here now.
Do to his small size and injury issues, the Patriots at least need to think about bringing in another slot to pair with Jones. And I'd rather have a more rangy safety than Peppers, but he certainly fits the mentality so we'll see how that goes.
Ok, that's great ... what about the offense?
Obviously there's still work there to do. You could make the argument the Patriots need three more receivers, even after adding Mack Hollins, who is a gamer and total pro as a 3rd/4th option. That was all about bringing a professional into the room, in my opinion.
Where's that going to come from? I don't know, but I'm not going to throw a tantrum after the first day of the offseason. The Patriots tried throwing the bag at Chris Godwin, but he didn't really want to leave Tampa, and I don't blame him. DK Metcalf and Davante Adams were not culture fits with the Patriots, at least where the roster is right now. Those are the type of "final piece" moves you make when, I don't know, you don't have two consecutive four-win seasons.
There are trades that could be made, and the Patriots will be monitoring all that. There's the draft as well.
And there's also the fact that Josh McDaniels can make chicken salad out of chicken bleep - just look at 2021, when the Patriots had a rookie quarterback who used Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry, Brandon Bolden, Nelson Agholor and Jonnu Smith as the top receivers to make the league's sixth scoring offense that was 15th in yards.
Yes, this is more of a challenge behind this line that still needs a left tackle and probably a left guard. I expect them to troll the trash among LTs Cam Robinson and Jedrick Wills after the Chiefs quickly took my guy Jaylon Moore (49ers) and the Titans grossly overpaid average Dan Moore (Steelers). I also expect them to add a guard, if not a center, at some point.
Even if they come up empty pending the draft (hello, Will Campbell and the others), the Patriots could line up tomorrow and compete much better than last season, even if Vederian Lowe starts at left tackle. With veteran Morgan Moses solid at right tackle, McDaniels knows what side he needs to help. Like I said at this time last year, just be solid at one tackle spot - a veteran coordinator can take care of the rest (Alex Van Pelt couldn't). If the Patriots had to play tomorrow with LT Lowe, LG Cole Strange, C David Andrews, RG Mike Onwenu and RT Moses, they could compete.
The Patriots made their opening moves and they are a better football team today than they were yesterday. Will it work? Will they be able to add more pieces? We shall see. There's a long ways to go.