New England Patriots: Draft best available player or needs?

The New England Patriots face a crucial draft where they very badly need to properly address their roster due to the current salary cap situation and to further help Mac Jones’ development.

Bill Belichick and Co. flamed out at the tail end of the 2021 NFL season, losing four of their last five games, including two blowout losses to the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills. Just like that, their seven-game winning streak was nothing more than history.

That’s all it took for the Patriots’ deficiencies and shortcomings to be laid bare for the rest of the NFL to see. That’s why the draft will be particularly important for New England, especially since they have little money to spend in free agency.

So what should the Patriots’ strategy be in the 2022 NFL draft? Some “Do’s and Dont’s” were explored previously, but here we’ll center on whether need or best player available is the best approach to employ this year.

The New England Patriots 2022 strategic NFL Draft suggestions

In the draft, the Patriots have only six selections with which to augment their squad with young talent that pales in comparison to years when the team was overloaded with picks and had much more flexibility. In the case of the Patriots, who desperately need to close the gap in talent with the Bills, there’s little room for error in this year’s event.

So, unless deals are made as suggested to augment the number of picks, how should they make their selections? The team needs help at all three levels of the defense. The needs are so pronounced, they almost cannot go wrong no matter where they draft positionally. They could use additions almost everywhere absent quarterback and at running back. The good news is that the 2022 draft class is a deep one.

New England desperately needs a top wide receiver. That was amply demonstrated as their passing game could muster only 22 touchdown passes in 2021 from starting quarterback, Mac Jones. Not all of that is on Jones, however. His offensive line, due to poor man-management was not as good as hoped or hyped when pass blocking. Should they lose starting tackle Trent Brown and/or Ted Karras, the need for starting talent and depth will be stark.

Thus, on offense, they clearly must address needs at these two positions and the best place to do so will be in the draft since that’ll be the most cost-effective way of doin so. If they’re lucky, they can maybe get one of those in free agency or via trade.

Indeed, they can rectify past errors in this year’s draft. The first two picks could very well go to a top No. 1-caliber wideout like Jameson Williams from Alabama and an offensive tackle. That would leave the offense in a solid position to contend next season.

But what about the defense?

As many observers have noted, the defense flopped in the latter part of the 2021 season, which contributed to the downfall. They need help almost all over. Most importantly, they need to add speed, especially in the linebacking corps. They are older and slower there. Picks need to address these shortcomings on Day 2 and Day 3. Again, needs must be addressed over the best player available once more.

Additionally, the cornerback position, especially should they allow J.C. Jackson to leave in free agency (as reports are now indicating), will need further attention. If the team moves on from Jonathan Jones, it’ll be even more of a project.

But the thought here is to forego those positions early in the draft and search for such talent later.

In the end, the Patriots should definitely search for need in this draft and forget about the best player available. The team has abundant voids to fill and could choose almost any position with it being one of need. Nonetheless, the priorities should be offense first and then defense.

If they can free up additional cap space, their job will be easier and they can take a different approach depending on what they’re able to address with that extra money.

What strategy do you feel the Patriots should use in the 2022 NFL Draft? We’d like to hear.

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