There isn't much optimism regarding the Patriots' chances of doing well during the 2024 season, but they are an improved team from what they were just one year ago.
Not to mention, despite the ugliness of last year, a handful of games were lost by just one score, so if they can play even slightly better this season, there's no reason to believe they can't stack more wins.
Although that's the general hope from New England fans and media, there's also an understanding that this is a team in a rebuild starting from the top. Bill Belichick was let go earlier this year to be replaced by first-time head coach Jerod Mayo.
Much of Mayo's staff is also new, meaning there will be some growing pains this upcoming season. Add in a made-over roster potentially led by a rookie quarterback, and expectations are exceedingly low, as they would be for most teams in that position.
Even with those lowered expectations, it's inevitable that New England fans will be disappointed if the team doesn't perform well, mainly due to their disappointment with how they handled free agency in particular. However, some players could be nice surprises for the team that many may not consider to make much of an impact.
3 players who could be nice surprises for Patriots in 2024
Keion White
In the draft that would become Bill Belichick's final one as the head coach and general manager of the Patriots, one of the more praised selections was defensive end Keion White in the second round.
The defense continued to be the better part of the team, and in wanting to keep that going, Belichick made sure to bring more help to the defensive line early on.
Matthew Judon had become the face of the pass rush since signing with the team in 2021, and unfortunately, he had predominately carried the weight of getting to opposing quarterbacks on his own. White's addition meant he would have a potential partner in crime as soon as the upcoming season, but that's not what happened.
White had some flashy moments during the season, especially in the second half when many players rose to the occasion of stepping up in Judon's absence. Others outshined the rookie though, and his first season was far from impressive.
He recorded 26 combined tackles, three tackles for a loss, five quarterback hits, three passes defended, and one sack. It wasn't what the team needed from him, nor did it live up to the hype that began from his selection, but with a season under his belt heading into this year, it should make a world of difference for his production.
On top of experience benefitting White, the return of Judon into the lineup will also. The veteran has been a great mentor for the team's other linebackers and defensive ends over the last three years, and we saw how much his wisdom could help the younger guys from seeing Joshua Uche explode during the 2022 season.
The same could happen for White this year, coupled with his determination to succeed, playing in his more natural position, and the opportunity to become a solid number two for Judon; it feels like he could be a surprise awaiting to shine in 2024.
Jacoby Brissett
What the future holds for Drake Maye's rookie season will remain a debate until a quarterback is officially named the starter, so until then, we'll continue under the assumption that Jacoby Brissett will hold that title.
Although he's far from an impressive player, Brissett was signed to be the veteran bridge quarterback and mentor for a reason. He started his career with the Patriots, starting two games his rookie season while Tom Brady was suspended. He didn't do anything too exciting, but he had the makings of being a good backup.
The following season, Bill Belichick traded him to the Colts for Phillip Dorsett, as Indianapolis needed a quarterback to sub in for an injured Andrew Luck. Brissett spent the next four years with the team, becoming the starter for the 2019 season when Luck unexpectedly retired just weeks before the season began.
He went on to be the starter for various reasons for the Dolphins and Browns and spent last season with the Commanders in a backup role.
Because of his connection to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt from their time in Cleveland, it was believed to be the main reason Brissett was signed in free agency, other than knowing they were going to draft a quarterback. Now that Maye has been added, he will be the veteran leadership to guide the rookie as he transitions into the NFL.
With that could come some good football from Brissett, especially reuniting with the offensive coordinator who helped him achieve the best statistical season of his career. We know he's not Tom Brady, but he's more than equipped to help the Patriots win games this season, no matter how many he is the starter for.
The familiarity with Van Pelt will work wonders for him, on top of Eliot Wolf re-signing guys like Kendrick Bourne and Hunter Henry. Throw in DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, and Rhamondre Stevenson; Brissett has a solid cast around him who are fired up and determined to prove the doubters wrong this year.
He can take advantage of that and surprise a lot of people.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Unlike previous seasons, the Patriots have an overflowing roster of wide receivers heading into the summer. This is a good problem for a team needing to improve its offense, and they might have more luck with who they have than expected.
The assumption is that guys like Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas will lead the way this season, as they did last year, with rookies Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk not far behind. That leaves the rest of the roster hoping to make enough impact during training camp and the preseason to secure a spot on the team.
Besides K.J. Osborn likely making the cut due to his special teams experience, JuJu Smith-Schuster might have an edge over the others and be surprisingly good for the Patriots in his second season with the team.
To say last year's production from the receiver was a disappointment would be quite an understatement, but a lot of it can be chalked up to a horrific offense overall and Smith-Schuster dealing with a nagging knee injury that we only recently learned was more severe than previously reported.
With better pieces around him on offense and a healed knee, he could be on pace to have a season reminiscent of his lone year with the Chiefs. During that Super Bowl-winning season in 2022, Smith-Schuster recorded 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns. It was his most productive and best statistical season since 2018 when he made the Pro Bowl as a member of the Steelers.
Although the stats might not overly impress too many people, Smith-Schuster accomplished that with the Chiefs playing behind Travis Kelce, who has become Patrick Mahomes' number on target and sharing catches with Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
If he accomplished that by dealing with knee issues throughout the year, even if it was catching passes from Mahomes, Smith-Schuster could be on the path to a significant jump in production this upcoming season. His veteran experience could play a big role in that especially for Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye.