The Patriots re-signed Devin McCourty, Brian Hoyer, Ja'Whan Bentley, Trent Brown, Matthew Slater, and James White. The Patriots also signed Ty Montgomery and Terrance Mitchell while they traded for Mack Wilson. The Patriots also traded away Shaq Mason. This on paper changes things a little.
The re-signing of Trent Brown could change the Patriots needs from tackle to guard. However, if the Patriots decide to shift Trent Brown to left tackle and Wynn to inside, the tackle position could still be open. If they wanted to move leave things the way they are or move Trent Brown to left tackle, Onwenu to right tackle and Wynn to guard, they still presumably need a guard. The offensive line is now a need, the exact position depends on what they plan on doing.
At linebacker, the Patriots have two development guys behind Bentley in Mack Wilson and Cameron McGrone. This means the Patriots may not have to make a move at inside linebacker. It all depends on how they see Wilson and McGrone, however, if they do want to get a quality player, it has to be in the first four rounds. The moves they made have reset the need for the position.
The Patriots re-signed Devin McCourty and there are some questions about Joshua Bledsoe. Bledsoe is another strong safety. And although the Patriots have D-Mac they still need his replacement. They have McCourty on a one year deal. This means on day two, they need to bring in his replacement.
At running back the team decided to get away from Jacob Johnson, which could impact the running game. They lost Brandon Bolden which was another issues. However, they brought in Ty Montgomery and re-signed James White. That moves the need of a receiving back to a late day three - UDFA priority. The Patriots worked hard on getting the backs ready for the passing game in 2020 so that probably explains why they got rid of Johnson.
In 2020 the Patriots got their pass rushing defensive tackle, they still need their run stopping-pocket moving nose tackle. They also need a number one pass catcher, either a flanker or a slot receiver, preferably a deep slot. The Patriots number one must be a short to intermediate guy with the ability to burn people deep. However, their main need is outside corner.
The Patriots need a short to intermediate receiver. Preferably a flanker or deep slot guy. Someone who can get open underneath but who has the burner speed to be a threat deep. That is the type of number one the Patriots need. Fans have been calling for a number one who fits in the Buffalo, Kansas City, or Baltimore offense. Mac Jones is not Lamar Jackson, Kyle Murray, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Russell Wilson. He doesn't need a number one built for their style offense. Mac needs more of a Jahan Dotson or Jerreth Sterns.
The Patriots apparently told Jacob Johnson that they were getting away from the fullback position. If one looks at the number of H-backs or superbacks the Patriots have acquired recently it makes sense. The H-back is a jack of all trades that can play fullback. The Patriots currently have h-backs Keene and Smith, they also have move tight end Henry, and in-line tight end Asiasi. Both Keene and Smith can line up at receiver or anywhere in the backfield but having a third guy with their skills wouldn't hurt. However, getting another move target to take pressure off of Henry would also be helpful. As for Asiasi, he's kinda a tweener between in-line and move tight end.
As for receiving back, J.J. Taylor should be gone. The Patriots almost brought in Fournette, so they're not content with their running back room yet. There are a number of pass catching backs in this draft. Keep an eye on Zonovan Knight N.C State and Calvin Turner Hawaii as possible acquisitions.
Resetting the team needs here are what I think they need by priority:
1) Outside corner
2) Free safety
3) Offensive line
4) Inside linebacker
5) Defensive Tackle
6) Receiver
7) Developmental outside corner ***(merges with number 9 with addition of Malcolm Butler.)***
8) H-back or move tight end
9) Depth pieces
This could change as the Patriots are still making moves but at the moment, they still have holes. The Patriots currently have the 21st, 54th, 85th, 127th, 170th, 200th, 210th draft picks. As unpopular as it may sound, the best thing the Pats could do is to trade the 21st down to whom ever holds picks between 27 and 32 and acquire as many mid round picks as possible.
Staying in the first round is valuable because of the fifth year option. I don't think the Patriots want to sacrifice that however, it's not unheard of for the Patriots to leave the first round. The further the Patriots trade down, the more a team will have to give up. Unfortunately life isn't E.A. Sports or the PFF draft Simulator. The Patriots are not going to acquire 15 picks before leaving the first round because teams aren't going to sacrifice that much for the bottom third of draft prospects in round one.
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