With the biggest splashes of free agency (likely) over, it’s a good time for us to be re-assessing the Patriots draft needs. As always, the Pats fill pretty much every major hole on their roster in free agency, even if it’s just with a temporary space holder, so that they won’t have to reach in the draft for a position.
While there remains some concern about the running back position, where I’m not sold on Donald Brown making it out of training camp, the biggest holes at middle linebacker (Shea McClellin) and wide receiver (Chris Hogan) have at least been solidified for camp. Doesn’t mean those positions won’t be targeted in the draft, but there’s a level of comfort now. Martellus Bennett put the Pats over the top as far as their need for a second tight end was concerned, and Jonathan Cooper makes the competition at guard look like one of the hottest camp battles we’ll see.
Patriots Draft Needs: Late-March Edition
Here’s where I think the Pats have the biggest needs for the draft, and a reminder that the draft is about the long term, not the immediate.
- Tackle – This isn’t an overreaction to the AFC Championship game, but both Marcus Cannon and Sebastian Vollmer‘s contracts are up after this season. Vollmer is closing in on the end of his career so this could be it for him. Really, I think as long as Nate Solder stays healthy the Pats would be fine along the offensive line this year as is. But what we need for the future is to groom the next right tackle, preferably someone with a little more athleticism so that they can also back up the left tackle spot and do it better than Cannon did last year. This is a critical need.
- Wide Receiver – Hogan fits what the Pats do pretty well and I’m excited to see how he assimilates. If he can be Brandon LaFell circa 2014 the Pats will be fine this year. But what could truly take this offense to another level is the addition of a rookie wide receiver who can take some of the heat off of Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman. I know everyone wants that tall, speedy deep threat, but I just don’t think that’s a realistic option with how this offense functions now. Give me another shifty, quick guy who knows how to get open and make plays with the ball in his hands and the Pats will have better insurance at the “Z” spot than they had last year. Of course it’s not crazy to think a rookie who has a great camp could unseat Amendola at final cuts.
- Running back – This is to be part of a rotation so it’s not like they’ll need to trade up into the mid-second round to get someone who can make an impact. They need an early down pounder who doesn’t lose yardage or cough up the ball. Honestly I’d take a Benjarvus Green-Ellis though you’d like to find another Stevan Ridley. Either way, that’s the element that’s missing from the backfield group right now, and that’s true even if LeGarrette Blount returns.
- Defensive Tackle – Is this a huge need? No. But this draft class is packed with good Patriots fits so that makes it a position to watch. And really, you always need guys for the trenches. With the kind of high-end value that is in this draft, the Pats could very well take a defensive tackle for the third year in a row with their first pick and it wouldn’t surprise me.
- Safety – The Pats lost Tavon Wilson so of course they need to reach on another second-round safety that everyone had going in the sixth round. But seriously folks, with Patrick Chung‘s injury history I’m interested to see how Jordan Richards looks in the preseason. He could be thrust into an important role. And with the ever-evolving defense there’s always a need for big, tough guys who can run.
- Linebacker – This is Bill Belichick, he will never pass up a linebacker and though I like McClellin, both Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower are free agents next year. We all assume both with be re-signed, but I wouldn’t mind a little insurance. And a run-stopping thumper in the middle could fit in nicely.
Of course every other position is certainly a possibility no matter how stacked the Pats look. And I’m sure they’ll add somebody one way or another at every other spot on the roster, but those above are the areas that are truly vital to maintaining dominance for the near future.
They need depth at CB way more than another DT or T. What happens if Butler or Ryan gets hurt? Who plays? Plus both are FA after this year. Biggest needs are RB, CB, T, LB, WR. I would expect them to also draft a QB, DT
I’d prefer a veteran cornerback for some added depth, but there’s also the very promising Darrell Roberts coming back from a wrist injury. He was getting a look with the starters early last preseason. So if you add a vet you’ve got five young, promising players who can all play. I just think the offensive and defensive lines are what wins football games. Depth at corner is lower on the priority list especially considering all three starters from last year are back.