Patriots Need Immediate-Impact 2019 Draft Class

Things can change pretty quick around Foxboro. Today’s malcontent superstar on another team is tomorrow’s Patriots reclamation project.

That’s why the glaring holes on the Patriots roster might be deceiving. But if we’re going off how things look today on April 9th, there’s more pressure than ever for them to get the most out of their team-leading 12 draft picks and sooner rather than later.

Gronk is gone, along with Trey Flowers. They’re starting over at left tackle for the second year in a row after spending 17 seasons with only two different starters. Julian Edelman, Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung will all be 32 or older for Week 1. Tom Brady will be a decade older than them.

The cupboards aren’t entirely barren, but if they’re going to squeeze a seventh ring out of this thing, it’s once again time to find some to-be legends. If anyone can do it Belichick can, but it’s sure not getting any easier.

We continue to await the supposedly inevitable Brady downturn. He managed without a run game and Edelman early last year, but when it all came together at the end Brady was that same Brady. Earning his sixth ring with maybe his most unflinching championship performance yet.

Until further notice let’s just enjoy the Brady ride. The end might come gradually or abruptly, until I know for sure I’m just assuming pliability goes to plan until Brady’s 45.

Despite Trent Brown and LaAdrian Waddle‘s departure, four-fifths of the starting line returns with an interior as good as any in the league. Marcus Cannon‘s about to turn 31 but still in his prime and Isaiah Wynn looks primed to step into a prominent role be it at left or swing tackle.

The top trio of running backs return as well, with Sony Michel and James White leading the way, a potent one-two punch. Rex Burkhead has fought injuries but seems due for a full year sooner or later. RB is about as set as the secondary and most of the line. But after that things get murky.

Edelman might be turning 33 next month but he seems as possessed as ever so like Brady, we’re just holding our breath and hoping Jules doesn’t start to slow down.

With Dwayne Allen bolting before Gronk retired the Pats will have two new starting tight ends in 2019. And if it’s with two players currently on the roster…yikes.

If there’s a place to jump up and quickly improve the dynamic of this team as currently constituted it’s at tight end and wide receiver. Two positions that are critical to Brady and the running game that was so effective and career-prolonging for Brady.

On defense, there’s Stephon Gilmore, one of the best cornerbacks in the game, as shutdown as anyone and somehow still underappreciated. Add in the aging secondary around him, punctuated by the promise of J.C. Jackson, Keion Crossen and Duke Dawson, and the 2019 pass coverage looks rock solid.

Reinforcing the safeties seems like a must, but it’s not an immediate trade-up kind of need.

On the second level, Kyle Van Noy and Dont‘a Hightower proved as potent a combo of linebackers as there are in the league. And the return of Ja’Whaun Bentley adds a needed jolt of youth and speed. He’ll allow them to manage Boomtower until February when he’s at his unstoppable best.

But along the line and at the the edges there is great uncertainty with the departure of Flowers and Malcom Brown. A new generation will have to win on the edge and up the interior like those two did, helping the team to three-straight Super Bowls. Michael Bennett helps but there are still big roles to fill.

Defensive end and defensive tackle is where games are won or lost, at the line of scrimmage. It is always a need but this year that need is magnified.

There could be more additions via free agency at all these positions of immediate need — TE, WR and DL, but those would only be short term or replacement level options. Unless it’s coming via trade, the chance of landing a team-altering veteran at this point is unlikely.

From 2009-2012 the team rebuilt from the first dynasty defense and the Moss/Welker years. Brady went a decade between rings and that won’t be possible again.

No one has more draft capital, the Patriots need to be as aggressive as they were in 2012 when they moved up to draft Chandler Jones and Hightower in the first round. Both stepped in and immediate cemented positions of immediate need.

This year there’s the same kind of needs and time for Brady is running out. The time to move up is now.