Grading the Patriots’ offseason moves on offense so far
Patriots’ wide receiver room needs a boost
The Patriots invested heavily in the wide receiver room in free agency last offseason with mixed results. They gave significant funds to Nelson Agholor and he responded with a paltry 37 catches. That one didn’t work out. Conversely, they signed Kendrick Bourne for less money and he performed quite well.
Bourne had a career-high 55 catches with five touchdowns and 800 yards. Those are solid totals for a second/third receiver on any team. Yet, leading the charge was former undrafted free agent Jakobi Meyers, who had his best year with 83 receptions and 866 yards — but only two touchdowns. Meyers’ heroics earned the restricted free agent a second-round tender this offseason, which will result in a well-deserved pay raise.
Yet, still lacking is true No. 1 receiver (or No. 2) who can stretch the field, score in the blink of an eye, put up double-digit touchdowns, and light up an opposing defense’s top defensive back. This, along with an offensive tackle, are the Patriots’ top two needs on offense. The Patriots have done little in free agency to bolster their wide receiver room.
They did add journeyman running back/wide receiver Ty Montgomery, most recently of the New Orleans Saints. This won’t excite anyone. Don’t expect much assistance there. He had a meager 16 catches for the Saints last year. The lack of a major acquisition in free agency is a downer. Not drafting a top wideout in the first two rounds would be a complete disaster.
The Patriots may still have time to add a receiver or two before camp, but the urgency requires a top draft pick either in the first or second round. NFL insider Jeff Howe thought a wide receiver was in the cards a couple weeks ago, but to no avail.
The Patriots aren't done.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 15, 2021
I'd expect a wide receiver by the end of the day, too.
A great choice in the draft might be Alabama’s Jameson Williams or Ohio State’s Chris Olave. In the second, if they’re fortunate enough to have a talent such as Alabama’s John Metchie fall to them, it’s a no-brainer. Whatever the draft dynamic, this is a must.
Wide Receiver offseason grade to date: Incomplete, D.
Patriots’ tight end room needs a boost
The Patriots went deep in free agency last year, spending big on tight ends. They signed Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith to big contracts. Henry had a good season with 50 catches for 603 yards and nine touchdowns. Conversely, Smith was a disappointment, to put it mildly. He’s actually on the trajectory to be a bust rather than a productive contributor.
Smith caught 28 balls for 294 yards and one touchdown. Those are pedestrian statistics for a backup, let alone a top-paid option. The Patriots, thus far, wasted money on Smith. Absent a big-time rebound in 2022, depending on his contract stipulations, he’ll be out the door by 2023.
Smith’s disappointment joins that of the two 2020 third round picks in Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene. Neither has done anything in two years and they may not even make the team in 2022. The personnel operation has failed miserably in the tight end recruiting department. They need to get better with the group they have.
Tight end offseason grade to date: D