In 2019 the Patriots offense lost Rob Gronkowski. The Patriots signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins to replace him but he was released for personal reasons at his request. The team had injuries devastate their offense, mainly their running game, and the team sorely missed Malcolm Mitchell, who would've been in his prime.
In 2019 the defense kept them in games but the offense was clearly lacking. The Weapons around Brady were ranked 17th. Between Brady refusing to throw to his pass catchers, and the little bit of decline and the talent level around them, the Patriots slipped. The Patriots lost some key games late in the season and ended up in to the wildcard weekend.
They still fielded close to the same offense in 2020, as far as their weapons were concerned. Ben Watson and Matt Lacosse were replaced by Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene. The Patriots were without Josh Gordon, Dorsett and Sanu. Byrd, Meyers, Harry, and Olszewski were expected to step up and replace them.
Even with Injuries, the offensive weapons played at the same level they did in 2019 but were ranked 22. How is that possible? First the Patriots replaced the 17th ranked quarterback in 2019 for the 27th ranked quarterback in 2020. The down grade in passer hurt the production of the pass catchers. It's hard to imagine any pass catcher being successful with the passers the Patriots fielded.
Second the defense was not as good, and did not give the offense the ball as much. The defense went from 1st overall ranked to 7th overall ranked. That's a huge drop and the lack of turnovers meant less opportunities for the offense.
The Patriots finished the season 7-9, yet even with Brian Hoyer playing versus Kansas City, and Jarrett Stidham coming in several times. The Patriots were still in almost every loss, sometimes coming down to one position or play.
The Patriots have some spots they need to fill. The Patriots have Brandon Bolden returning from covid and J.J. Taylor. The club needs to figure out if their production is equal to what they're losing from James White and Rex Burkhead. Honestly, I think the Patriots will be fine letting both backs go.
As long as he is affordable, the Patriots should bring back Damiere Byrd. The Patriots can continue to have an average pass catching unit. The Patriots have a lot of prospects but don't have a proven X receiver. They're also lacking a true move tight end. In free agency, the team should look at Trey Burton, A.J. Green, DeSean Jackson, and Marvin Jones. Players that should add some production. They need to add production, not a big contract tied to a big name, these guys are now around a number 2 tier.
The problem with the offense is it wont matter who's catching the Ball if they don't have someone who can throw. If the Patriots bring back Cam Newton, they have to change the entire offensive scheme, otherwise he's a waste of a spot.
I like Jakobi Brissett but he was ranked 27th in 2019 but was passed over by the Colts for Phillip Rivers. Is he a better passer than Cam Newton? Fitzpatrick had a better season than Newton but is currently ranked 21st by the NFL in power rankings, Newton is now ranked 32. Tyrod Taylor has dropped to 49th and Brissett isn't even ranked in the NFL power rankings. Even Minshew is ranked 34th but is arguably better analytically.
The Patriots must have better passing in 2021 from their quarterback. Regardless, the Patriots must have better play from their quarterback
On defense, the Patriots have Hightower back but must do everything to sure up and improve the defense. Danny Shelton and Elandon Robert's should be resigned, along with Adam Butler and J.C. Jackson.
Most importantly, the Patriots must not only draft right but actually develop their players. Who is the last tight end, the Patriots developed. When is the last time the Patriots developed more than one pass catcher. It took them 3 years after Malcolm Mitchell to find and develop Meyers. When's the last time the Patriots developed an interior defensive lineman or even a pass rushing defensive lineman in the front three or four?
Entering 2021, the Patriots sit at a retool or soft rebuild. If, they do not handle this offseason correctly, They will be in full rebuild in 2022. If they do handle this season right, there is no guarantee that they will be good in 2021 but they will set themselves up for next offseason to be good in 2022.
I have heard people talk, I have listened to a buddy of mine over at Dear Patriots Nation. There is a misconception that if the Patriots go in to rebuild that it means true fire sale. That's not always the case and people need to learn that a retool or soft rebuild is different from a full on rebuild, where teams dump everyone.
The Patriots have not reached that tipping point yet and I think fans need to understand that many of them are asking for the same thing with different understand of what specific words mean. For now the Patriots are in a code orange and we will have to wait and see if it clears this offseason or if they enter a code red next offseason.
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