Patriots need to unleash their best secret weapon on offense in Week 8

The Patriots' offense lacks playmakers. Their best is wide receiver Pop Douglas, but he can't do the job alone. But now that the team has finally realized who should be playing quarterback, they need more offensive weapons. Ironically, they have one on their roster right now.

It's Marcus Jones who plays cornerback on defense. Yet, when all is said and done, the thought here is that Jones would be the Pats' most electrifying and explosive cornerback and likely the best offensive weapon they have to deploy.

Let's look at why it makes perfect sense to roll out Marcus on offense and see what happens. If you've seen him returning punts, you'll agree that he can dazzle with his speed and elusiveness. He fills the bill to a tee.

Patriots' Marcus Jones makes things happen with the ball in his hands

When your offense lacks explosiveness, you'd better get innovative. (Whether the Patriots' coaching staff has the savvy to do so is another question altogether.) The team has (and has had all along) a young quarterback in Drake Maye, who can make things happen with any throw in the book. That's where all the magic begins.

Yet, without top playmakers, it's going to be tough going. Marcus Jones is just that. And the beauty of all this is that he's on the team now and ready to go. There's no free agency signing or additional draft pick necessary. It will only take some time in the wide receiver room to make it happen, and it should be no big deal.

Jones, right out of the gate, will be the Patriots' most explosive offensive player. Take a look at his first offensive snap from 2022,

This can be a repetitive thing if his coaching staff has a clue, and if he can stay healthy. Both are legitimate questions. If both are in place, he'll excel.

Marcus Jones's skillset would add a lot of variation to the offense

Marcus Jones can be a multi-purpose arrow in Drake Maye's quiver. Need a quick pass in the flats? He'll take it and maybe explode for a big gainer. Need a speedster on an end-around? Jones will cause mind-numbing problems for defenses.

Need a runner on and RPO coming in from the outside (or just as a threat of his getting the ball) and good things will happen. Need a third-down back to replace a winded Antonio Gibson? Marcus is your man.

And, of course, team him with Pop Doubglas as a dynamic, diminutive duo with game-breaking potential, and not only will they shred defenses, but they'll open things up for the rest of the fellas. Those would be tight end Hunter Henry and running back Rhamondre Stevenson if the play-calling can get things right for a change.

Marcus Jones is an OK defensive back, but his uber-value to the New England Patriots will be as a muti-role, all-purpose offensive playmaker. Right now, absent Pop Douglas on occasion, the Pats have no big playmakers.

Jones remedies all that in a hurry. He can do it all with the football in his hands. So why not put the ball in his hands often on offense and see? Do so, and Marcus will make everyone else around Drake Maye better.

What are you waiting for, Patriots? It's time to think outside the box.

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