Patriots' Early Report Card for Most Impactful Offseason Decisions

The New England Patriots began to revamp their offensive skill positions in the first week of free agency.

They brought in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki to replace Jakobi Meyers and Jonnu Smith, who are now with the Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons, respectively.

The AFC East side did not gain more targets for Mac Jones in the last week, and one could argue that only the Gesicki-Smith swap on the roster is a true upgrade.

The offensive part of the depth chart still feels incomplete because the Patriots could trade for a top-tier wide receiver, such as DeAndre Hopkins or land a No. 1 target in the 2023 NFL draft.

There is more depth-chart clarity on defense, where Jonathan Jones will be the top cornerback for at least two more years.

The Patriots avoided a big hit on the perimeter and can now shift their defensive focus to adding depth across all three layers for the rest of free agency and in the draft.

JuJu Smith-Schuster

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 21: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) signals first down in the first quarter of an AFC divisional playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs on January 21, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Patriots might have gotten marginally better at wide receiver by swapping Smith-Schuster for Meyers in the free-agent market.

Smith-Schuster's $25.5 million deal was $8 million cheaper over three years than Meyers' contract with the Raiders.

The two wide receivers posted similar numbers over the last few seasons. Smith-Schuster had a single 1,000-yard campaign in 2018, and he had 831 and 933 receiving yards in his last two healthy seasons in 2020 and 2022. Meyers had over 800 receiving yards in each of the last two years with the Patriots.

Smith-Schuster's numbers do not suggest he is a clear-cut No. 1 wideout on the Patriots' depth.

The 26-year-old filled that role with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, but he was the No. 2 overall target to Travis Kelce. There was a 300-yard drop off from Tyreek Hill in 2021 to Smith-Schuster in 2022.

A wide receiver group of Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton is not enough to compare to the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills or Miami Dolphins in the AFC.

If Smith-Schuster ends up as a No. 2 wideout behind another acquisition, then this deal is a decent one. But he should not be the last wide receiver the team lands this offseason.

Grade: B

Mike Gesicki

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Mike Gesicki #88 of the Miami Dolphins takes the field prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

At least the Patriots don't have to worry about adding more red-zone threats.

Mike Gesicki is a true upgrade over Jonnu Smith because of his consistent scoring prowess.

The former Miami tight end hauled in five touchdowns in 2022 despite playing in a marginalized role with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle being the focal points of the offense.

Gesicki has 18 career touchdowns, which is one more than Smith. The bulk of Smith's scoring came in 2020 with the Tennessee Titans. It made sense for him to join his former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Atlanta after things did not work out in New England.

Gesicki and Hunter Henry should form quite a duo in the red zone. Henry has had 11 touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Patriots.

There is a clear case to be made that New England upgraded at tight end, while the wide receiver situation is still up for debate.

The Patriots brought in Gesicki on a one-year, $4.5 million deal, so if the move somehow doesn't work out, they can move on and keep Henry in the primary tight end role.

Grade: B

Jonathan Jones

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 24: Jonathan Jones #31 of the New England Patriots looks on during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)

The Patriots needed to keep some consistency at cornerback and have moved on from having plenty of them in the last decade, whether it be through a trade or free agency.

Jonathan Jones and the Patriots reached a reasonable deal for both parties, as he landed a two-year, $19 million contract.

New England does not have to worry about searching for another No. 1 corner. The 29-year-old brings consistency to the outside, and the team can look to improve with either depth behind him or at other defensive positions.

The Auburn product had 69 tackles, 11 passes defended, four interceptions and three forced fumbles in 2022. Bar the tackles, all of those numbers gave him new single-season career highs.

That type of all-around production at cornerback is not easy to find, so it was wise of the Patriots to keep Jones for at least another two years.

Grade: B+