The draft has concluded, which means most of the Patriots' roster is set for the start of offseason practices, with A.J. Brown, undrafted free agents, and departures likely to happen at some point. It should be pointed out that Mike Vrabel was NOT consulted at all on today's picks.
"So, last night we kind of talked through things and made the decision that the time away really needs to be time away, so we were not in contact with Mike today other than some just, ‘Hope everything's going OK’ kind of texts early this morning," Eliot Wolf said.
Some thoughts on the depth chart, concentrating on how the draft picks will fit in:
POSITIONS THE PATRIOTS DIDN'T FORTIFY - YET
Defensive tackle: With the departure of Khyiris Tonga, you figured the Patriots would look to add a run stuffer. I'm sure that will be partially addressed in undrafted free agency, but the Patriots will likely be looking to see who is released around the league at the spot.
Right guard: I don't think you'll see sixth-round pick Dametrious Crownover there very much, at least not for a while. The Patriots are going to need a third tackle if Morgan Moses is done after this season, so it would be wise to start developing the project that is Crownover there before moving him around. Still, the expectation was for the Patriots to take a guard with center ability at some point, but that can also be addressed with UDFAs. That's where the Patriots found David Andrews.
Z WR 2: I think we all know Brown is coming at some point, but it's a mild surprise the Patriots didn't draft a receiver late with Mack Hollins in a contract year. Another UDFA spot, but don't count out Jon Jiles.
Punter: Bryce Baringer is in a contract season and could use some competition, which is expected to come from a UDFA or a street free agent.
Safety: Another spot that will be up to a UDFA to complete a room with Kevin Byard not getting any younger and on a one-year deal.
BEDARD'S UPDATED DEPTH CHART BEFORE UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS
LOOKING AT THE OTHER SPOTS
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Added Behren Morton in the seventh round. May be tough to have three QBs on the final roster, but the Patriots wanted to get a developmental QB to eventually compete for the backup spot with Tommy DeVito.
Running back: Patriots prefer to keep three on the active roster, so Jam Miller — who runs a lot like Sony Michel (nice that it came in the seventh round, and not the first) — will compete with Terrell Jennings, Elijah Mitchell and Lan Larison for the final spot. Don't think this room can grow to four, with FB Reggie Gilliam and at least three tight ends on the roster.
Fullback: Good luck to Jack Westover and Brock Lampe at some point, pending injuries.
Tight end: Hunter Henry, Julian Hill and Eli Raridon will be on the roster. Good luck to C.J. Dippre and Marshall Lang.
X WR: Can't see Kayshon Boutte sticking around once Brown comes aboard, but I would keep him around until the deal goes through. You never know what might happen. Kyle Williams will be here, and there is a lot of internal hope about him.
Slot WR: Romeo Doubs is here now. Would it surprise anyone if Demario Douglas was not, after a competition with Efton Chism?
Offensive tackle: There is much to be sorted out with two tackles drafted. No, Will Campbell is NOT kicking inside this season, no matter what you think. Both drafted tackles need development, especially Crownover. It will be interesting to see who starts at what position. Before Crownover was drafted, you figured Lomu would be behind Moses. Now? I have no clue.
The Patriots, for now (some could be released very soon), the Patriots have eight tackles: Campbell, Moses, Lomu, Crownover, Marcus Bryant, free-agent James Hudson, and depth signings Sebastian Gutierrez and Lorenz Metz. Talk about a crowded room (as opposed to guard), which is what I asked Ryan Cowden about.
Q: Hey, Ryan, just hoping you could help me sort of slot out – it seems like you guys are really heavy at tackle now. Is James Hudson [III] going to be inside? Where are you sort of slotting those guys? With Crownover here is [Caleb] Lomu going to work more at left tackle to start? It just seems like it's a crowded tackle room at the moment.
RC: If I would want a room to be crowded, I'll take that as being one room that's crowded just based on what we talked about before and how hard it is to find tackles in the National Football League. Again, a little bit of that was just trusting in the board. When we get to areas in the draft and we have players valued in certain ranges, and with that one we leaned into a guy who, between where we had things stacked, he was one of the better players remaining on our board. So, there was a value there. We don't ever know what's going to happen tomorrow, the next day, so that's why you stick to a concept of the best player available when you pick, even if it, today, looks crowded. That's not going to be the same in a week, two weeks, or by the time we get to the training camp. So, that's kind of the situation there, Greg [Bedard], is those guys go in a room and compete. And when you take the best player, sometimes it may look crowded on the front end, but those tend to have a way of working out."
It would not be a shock to see Bryant, Gutierrez and Metz depart soon.
Guard: If I'm the Patriots, I'm peppering this group with UDFAs. Basically, it's Mike Onwenu (contract year) and the oft-injured Alijah Vera-Tucker ... and nothing else. Caeden Wallace, Mehki Butler and someone named Andrew Rupcich don't provide much depth. Of course, Ben Brown can provide coverage, and we could see one or two tackles kick inside. But this is a position group I'm worried about at the moment.
Center: They're fine with Jared Wilson and Brown, but I know they are looking to add another.
DEFENSE
Edge: Liked both draft picks a lot, and applaud the double-up. Hutchins will be competing with Bradyn Swinson, Jesse Luketa and Amari Gainer for the fifth spot (good luck to the latter three) — if they end up keeping one behind Harold Landry, Dre'Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder and Gabe Jacas assured of spots.
Three-technique: They are full up there, with a lot of eyes on Joshua Farmer for a Year 2 jump.
Boundary cornerbacks: I would be surprised if Karon Prunty, the fifth-round pick who was by far the biggest reach in this draft (at least it wasn't a BB special in the second round), makes this roster as another other than special teams (and that might be a reach). Everything is up for grabs behind Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis.
Slot cornerback: Marcellas Dial showed promise behind Marcus Jones before injury, and I would expect Kobee Minor to be involved here as well.
Linebacker: After Robert Spillane, I think everything is a competition at Mike and Will. I kind of like sixth-round pick Namdi Obiazor as a dark-horse Mike backup. With Christian Ellis in a contract year - and extension candidate - things appear to be wide open with free-agent K.J. Britt, Chad Muma, Otis Reese and Obiazor (pending UDFAs).
Special teams: There will be a longsnapper competition, and likely one at punter.