Patriots' Biggest Keys to Having Successful NFL Offseason
The New England Patriots are one of a few NFL teams whose offseason success will be measured solely on its quarterback decision.
The Patriots need to move on from at least one of Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, and they will likely choose a quarterback with the No. 3 pick.
If it stands pat, the team will get the opportunity to choose whomever is left out of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels unless it makes a trade.
Being left to select Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is far from the worst scenario for the Patriots.
They must do work at some other offensive positions so that whomever the starter is in 2024 can achieve the highest level of success possible.
Nail the Quarterback Decision
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New England's level of success for the next few years is dependent on its quarterback decision.
The organization knows firsthand how far a miss at the position can set it back, and that will probably lead to Jones being on another NFL roster in 2024.
Jayden Daniels is the likeliest of the top tier of QB prospects to be available at No. 3. Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department predicted he would be the pick in its latest mock draft.
The Patriots could go in a different direction and land a veteran quarterback, such as Kirk Cousins, but a big-money deal doesn't make sense in the face of so many other roster holes.
Still, that scenario can't be completely counted out until the first wave of free agency ends because the Patriots could land a veteran signal-caller and then select receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 3.
If New England fails to figure out the position, it could be stuck in the AFC East basement for a few more years.
Find Right Replacements for Free Agents
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Trent Brown, Mike Onwenu, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry and Myles Bryant are among the Patriots set to hit free agency.
New England will not retain all of them, and there is a chance that none of them come back as part of a fresh start under head coach Jerod Mayo.
The Patriots need to find the best replacements for any losses.
Offensive line has to be the No. 2 position of concern behind quarterback because the Patriots need their new signal-caller to stay upright.
The offensive tackle free-agent class is not great, so a trade or a move up into the late first round could be the best vehicles to land replacements there.
The Patriots do have $73 million in salary-cap space, per Spotrac, so there is an opportunity to improve certain positions in free agency.
Upgrade the Pass-Catching Positions
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Some of the cap space should be used to splash on experienced pass-catchers.
The Patriots have JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton and Demario Douglas coming back at wide receiver.
The addition of a No. 1 wideout to that group could give the Patriots a strong set of pass-catchers for the new quarterback.
They also have to be smart at tight end, where Henry and Mike Gesicki are both impending free agents. A pass-catching running back should also be on the free-agent wish list with Ezekiel Elliott heading to the open market.
New England has the cap space to build out a more robust supporting cast for its starting quarterback, and if Daniels or Maye is the pick at No. 3, the team can justify spending more on the other offensive positions since the quarterback would be on a rookie deal.
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