As the Patriots prepare for their Week 7 matchup against the Titans on Sunday, several factors could change the trajectory of their season. The most prominent was the Bills' loss to the Falcons on Monday Night Football, which pushes New England into first place in the division for the first time in years.
They are now flirting with playoff contention, not even halfway through the season, and that has many looking ahead to what they could realistically accomplish during Mike Vrabel's first season as the head coach. That's especially true with the trade deadline right around the corner, and the Patriots have already made some moves, none of which are all that exciting, however.
On Monday, it was announced that they were releasing second-year offensive lineman Layden Robinson, who Jerod Mayo and Co. drafted last year, making him the latest of the 2024 class to be cut just one year later.
It's another hit to the Mayo era, adding more disappointment to what could have been a great foundational season.
Jerod Mayo's mistakes with the Patriots' 2024 draft class continue to be problematic this season
The Patriots were in a good position last year to revamp their roster with desirable draft picks and healthy cap space to utilize in free agency. Although it was nothing compared to what Vrabel had this offseason, it was still enough to make some solid moves to put the team back on track.
Unfortunately, it was hard to get players in the door after years of lackluster performance and an unproven head coach, making it much easier to draft players to build the roster around.
On paper, Mayo and Co. hit the nail on the head with the positions they targeted in the draft, with quarterback Drake Maye being the leading name amongst the group. But they managed to add multiple receivers and offensive linemen, which the offense desperately needed.
The problems arose almost immediately, though, as Maye wasn't named the starter until Week 6 and the receivers looked more like busts than any type of help. The offensive line was the same, with a rotating starting group every week, and no single player beyond the returning veterans seemed like the right fit for the job.
Fast forward to this offseason, and nearly every player from last year's draft class is no longer in New England: WR Ja'Lynn Polk and QB Joe Milton III were traded, and WR Javon Baker, Robinson, and TE Jaheim Bell were released. Marcellas Dial is still with the team, but is spending the 2025 season on IR after suffering an injury during training camp.
It's not a great look for the Mayo administration, which is already not remembered fondly. The only thing saving them from utter disaster is the fact that they picked Maye, who already looks like the inarguable franchise quarterback for the Patriots.