The Patriots Have Closed Holes And Can Build From The Draft

The Patriots have made some moves in free agency. And at the very least, it has changed the priority of some of their needs. The team still needs a quarterback, X receiver and free safety but otherwise the team is not in as much need as it was a few weeks ago. They could add a few more pieces but the team looks ready for the draft.

At quarterback the team has Jacoby Brisset. I like Brisset but unless he gets lucky, he's at most a three year starter. I do have a rookie quarterback list and think the team will Draft and sit a quarterback for the 2024 season.

At running back the Patriots have Stevenson returning and they have Kevin Harris. With the addition of Gibson, they have a solidified backfield. They really don't need to draft a big name back and might bring in someone to compete with Harris.

At Receiver the Patriots have Bourne as the starting Z and have Douglas as the starting Slot. They have Reagor, Thorton and Schuster as depth. Matthew Slater is gone and both Thorton and Reagor should double as special teamers, so the team needs to add a starting X.

(UPDATE: The Patriots signed Osborn who can play the X, giving them more depth at the position.)

The Patriots brought back Henry and signed Hooper. They have Pettway who is just a big body receiver and could use a inline tight end. As Pettway will end up on the practice squad.

The team drafted heavy at interior offensive line in 2023 and should have all the depth they need there. They re-signed Onwenu and Wheatley, and brought in two players with starting experience that should be at the very least spot starters and reliable backups in Leverett and Okorafor. If Wheatley is ready, the Patriots may not need to sign anymore offensive linemen and can instead draft a developmental tackle late in the draft.

On offense, I'm also thinking the Patriots need to bring in a person who can play fullback whether that be a running back or and Hback tight end. I like Buchanan from Army and Glascoe from Long Island as long shot sleepers for the Patriots to fill that role. 

On defense the Patriots signed Takitaki at linebacker and Watts at nose tackle. They brought back Uche, Jennings, and Ellis. The team still needs an outside corner, even if it's to compete with Alex Austin. They should also bring in a free safety, even if they plan on moving Johnathan Jones to free safety. The defense is pretty much set outside of those two positions.

As for special teams, the Patriots should look to bring in a udfa kicker and long snapper to compete for the positions. I get that they just drafted a kicker but they did not get the production they should have and Cardona is over the average career span for a long snapper, so it doesn't hurt to give him competition.