These are the types of thoughts you get into your head watching a terrible product in the final preseason game ...
I've been lamenting the Patriots' lack of depth — which is what happens when you basically whiff on a draft just one year out (2024), along with all the others under later Bill Belichick — and that was on display for everyone to see in the Patriots' embarrassing 42-10 loss to the Giants' reserves on Thursday.
The Giants.
The Patriots enter the first year of the Mike Vrabel era thinner than a wafer. Man, they are beyond screwed if they lose anyone like Drake Maye, Robert Spillane, Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Stefon Diggs, Hunter Henry, TreVeyon Henderson, Christian Gonzalez, Harold Landry, K'Lavon Chaisson, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore - to name a few.
The cupboard be bare behind them.
"We're going to continually try to, you know, strengthen the roster every way we can," Vrabel said. "There's a couple options, right? You can try to trade for players. You could try to claim some players next week. So again, we're always going to be trying to strengthen the roster and that's what we'll try to do here over the course of the next 10 days."
Watching the product and listening to Vrabel got me thinking, which is always dangerous, and it led me to two questions:
- Would it shock anyone if Vrabel basically gutted the depth over the course of the next two weeks, and jump-started the rebuild?
- How many players do the Patriots have — NFL players who are their type of guys — that they should want to keep around?
Time for an exercise.
Let's go through it.
Quarterback (1): Drake Maye.
That's it. The Patriots should be looking to upgrade Josh Dobbs, and Ben Wooldridge is a second guy on the practice squad.
Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson.
I'm good with the backfield. A really good mix.
Receiver (6): Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Efton Chism.
They're all NFL players. Lacking a No. 1, but they can all play in this league to some degree.
Tight ends (2): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper.
If they keep anyone else, it's just temporary.
Tackles (3): Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Marcus Bryant.
Vederian Lowe is OK, but they should be looking for an upgrade (doubt they find one). And Bryant is a developmental player.
Guards (2): Mike Onwenu, Jared Wilson.
That's it. They should be looking for more.
Center (1): Ben Brown.
Yup, that's right, I don't have Garrett Bradbury there. The Vikings quickly moved on, and they know him better than anyone. The Patriots keep Bradbury because he's got experience, and Maye needs a veteran pairing, but the Patriots have to be looking for more center help.
That would be 18 offensive players.
DEFENSE
Edge (3): Harold Landry, K'Lavon Chaisson, Elijah Ponder.
I did not make a typo. I don't have Keion White on that list. With his recent downturn in play, and his extended playing time on Thursday night, I'm starting to question whether he's their type of guy. Certainly has talent, but he freelances at times, and he didn't look like a starter making no impact against the Giants' backups. Bad sign. Would it shock anyone if the Patriots preferred Ponder over White? I wouldn't be shocked.
Bradyn Swinson will make it as a draft pick, but he hasn't shown much. Truman Jones has been way more impactful and deserves a spot.
Anfernee Jennings is clearly an NFL player, just not in this scheme.
Tackle (3): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Khyiris Tonga.
Josh Farmer is in the same boat as Swinson, although Farmer has flashed a little bit more. He's a future bet. I like Jeremiah Pharms and think he makes it, but he's a depth piece.
Linebacker (1): Robert Spillane.
He's the only bonafide NFL starter on this team. Christian Elliss is getting there, but he's not that far removed from being special teams-only. I am deathly afraid of this group and looking to upgrade in several places.
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, DJ James.
I'm not even sure about Jones at this point because his lack of height shows up so much. Patriots will need an upgrade at slot going forward. Turn him loose on offense and special teams. Austin and James are solid depth pieces, and James has upside.
Safety (3): Jabrill Peppers, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins.
Woodson will be a good, solid player in time, and Hawkins is OK - he's just Mr. Invisible. Doesn't make many errors, but doesn't make any plays either. Just holding a spot. Dugger's time has come to an end here. I like Dell Pettus but he's just a hitter at this point.
__________________
That would be 15 players on defense, giving us a grand total of 33 positional players. You normally have 49 positional players on a roster (with four on special teams).
To me, this illustrates how much work Vrabel & Co. have to do over the course of the next two weeks, and for years to come.