Patriots’ 2022 offensive optimism is being weighed down by defense
The Patriots’ defense could drag down the offense in 2022
In 2021, it was likely the defense was counted upon to take up the slack for an offense that had a rookie quarterback. It did, for a time, before falling off a cliff late and being blown out twice by the Buffalo Bills. Yet, instead of going all out to bolster that unit, the Patriots largely punted and left loads of questions at all three levels.
On the defensive line, the team has one top player, Christian Barmore, and but then is stocked with lots of average types they are counting upon. These include Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, Carl Davis, and Dietrich Wise Jr. Daniel Ekuale, a journeyman who showed flashes, is also there, along with the team’s sixth-round draft pick, Sam Roberts.
Unfortunately, the Patriots, though they had plentiful opportunities, decided against adding another top player to team with Barmore. That was a mistake, and the D-line gets a D grade entering mandatory OTAs.
In addition, the team failed to add much to its very weak linebacker room. In fact, the unit is far weaker than the one that got trampled upon by the Bills last season. At linebacker, they lost three former top players in Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, and the inexplicably-released Kyle Van Noy, arguably their most productive player at the second level. They needed a complete overhaul and didn’t get a positive one at all.
As the #Patriots look to rebuild their linebacker room, one name I'd keep an eye on for New England in free agency is Leighton Vander Esch.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 9, 2022
First-round pick by Dallas who didn't exactly work out, but fits the Pats mold at 6-4/256 and is still only 26.
They’re now counting on two players who didn’t play a snap in 2021, Raekwon McMillan and Cameron Mcgrone, and two linebackers, Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings, who have done little since being high draft picks in 2020.
They also added Mack Wilson, another question mark, in a trade with Cleveland for third-round disappointment Chase Winovich. Additionally, in a truly head-scratching move, the team failed to add even one linebacker in the draft. This was the most glaring omission of the entire offseason, in addition to not adding a top offensive tackle early on. Having the Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh say that they’re “excited” about the position is not at all reassuring.
Matt Groh on the linebacker position: “Really excited about that group. Excited for Cam McGrone, he’s kind of an additional draft pick.” Notes the addition of Mack Wilson and bringing back Ja’Whaun Bentley.” #Patriots
— Ryan Spagnoli (@Ryan_Spags) April 30, 2022
It’s a confusing roll of the dice that most likely will turn up snake eyes. It’s indefensible that they whiffed completely, both in free agency and in the draft at linebacker. It’s yet another telltale sign of a personnel operation that regressed back to its poor norm, after an uncharacteristically solid free agency and draft in 2021. Too bad that the 2021 trend wasn’t sustained this offseason. The linebackers get a gift with a D- grade.