Patriots’ draft needs, ranked from quarterback to punter

The Patriots are entering the draft with several holes all over their roster.

At one point leading into free agency and the new league year, the New England Patriots, had an NFL-high $100.3 million in salary cap space available. The belief was that they would be quite active trying to improve a roster that had gone just 4-13 the previous season.

Active they were indeed. However, a significant portion of their resources were not spent on big-name outside additions — partially a result of a weaker free agency class overall — but rather on keeping in-house talent around. Core players such as Michael Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry, and Anfernee Jennings were all given new multi-year contracts to stay put.

In addition, the Patriots made a few minor acquisitions on the open market. In total, 10 players were added over the last few weeks even though none of them would qualify as household names at their respective positions.

Still, New England was able to improve the overall depth of its roster at certain positions. By doing so, they set themselves up for bigger moves to come in the draft. Those are very much needed when taking a look at the current projected depth chart, and the needs the team still has to address over the next few days.

Major need

Quarterback: Jacoby Brissett was signed to a one-year, $8 million contract in free agency, but he is no long-term solution at the most important position in football. Instead, the expectation is that he will serve as either a bridge starter or as a mentor for a QB who will be added in the draft — presumably quite early. As the owners of the third overall pick, the Patriots are in prime position to add one of the marquee prospects available. | Patriots Big Board: Drake Maye (1.), Jayden Daniels (5.), J.J. McCarthy (7.), Michael Penix Jr. (18), Bo Nix (25.)

Offensive tackle: The Patriots were able to re-sign the aforementioned Michael Onwenu in free agency, and plan to use him at right tackle moving forward. He will hold down the fort on that end of the line, but the left bookend spot remains a major question mark heading into the draft. Free agency pickup Chukwuma Okorafor currently sits atop the depth chart, but New England is expected to add a developmental option or maybe even a pick-and-play starter within the first two days. | Patriots Big Board (Top 6): Joe Alt (3.), Olu Fashanu (8.), Amarius Mims (10.), Troy Fautanu (13.), Tyler Guyton (14.), Kingsley Suamataia (17.)

Wide receiver: With players such as DeMario Dougals and Kendrick Bourne leading the way, New England’s wide receiver group is relatively well-equipped when it comes to slot/Z types capable of playing inside the formation. The outside receiver depth chart, especially at the X, is in far worse shape. With the current depth chart being led by Jalen Reagor and tweeners K.J. Osborn and Tyquan Thornton, it could get addressed quite early in the draft. | Patriots Big Board (Top 6): Marvin Harrison Jr. (2.), Malik Nabers (4.), Rome Odunze (6.), Brian Thomas Jr. (9.), Adonai Mitchell (11.), Ladd McConkey (15.)

Significant need

Cornerback: All eyes are on the Patriots offense, but the defense also has some depth issues. The most prominent among them is cornerback: even with Christian Gonzalez a Pro Bowl talent, and both Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones starter-caliber options as well, the depth is shallow particularly on the outside. Unless one of the current rotational players steps up, the Patriots might look toward the draft to add some talent to the mix. | Patriots Big Board (Top 6): Mike Sainristil (26.), Cam Hart (35.), Kool-Aid McKinstry (–), Khyree Jackson (–), Max Melton (–), Kris Abrams-Draine (–)

Moderate need

Running back: Rhamondre Stevenson and free agency signing Antonio Gibson are the top running backs on the roster at the moment, but there are questions about the depth behind them. Unless the Patriots feel good that Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty and Ke’Shawn Vaughn can emerge as capable backup options, they might look for upgrades in the draft. | Patriots Big Board: Audric Estimé (40.), Dylan Laube (47.), Jaylen Wright (–)

Tight end: Re-signing Hunter Henry and signing free agents Austin Hooper and Mitchell Wilcox ensured that the tight end group was not entirely dependent on La’Michael Pettway’s development in 2024. Nevertheless, the group as a whole could still benefit from an infusion of youth and talent. At the moment, after all, only Henry is signed beyond 2024. | Patriots Big Board (Top 6): Brock Bowers (12.), Ben Sinnott (29.), Theo Johnson (41.), Jared Wiley (42.), Tip Reiman (43.), Ja’Tavion Sanders (–)

Defensive edge: The Patriots re-signed Anfernee Jennings and Josh Uche in free agency, allowing them to return the same basic group they had in place last year. With Uche on a one-year deal and Pro Bowler Matthew Judon getting up there in age, however, the position is in a similar spot as tight end: more developmental talent via the draft would make sense, even though it likely will come in the later rounds and free agency. | Patriots Big Board: Laiatu Latu (–), Dallas Turner (–), Jared Verse (–), Austin Booker (–), Jalyx Hunt (–)

Kicker: Chad Ryland had a rough rookie season, and the Patriots’ new coaching staff needs to figure out quickly whether his potential is enough to keep giving him more opportunities. For the purpose of this analysis, we take the glass-half-full approach while also acknowledging that any hint of his 2023 struggles persisting would move the kicker spot up at least one if not two categories. | Patriots Big Board: N/A

Interior offensive line: New England drafted three interior O-linemen a year ago, but the jury is still out on all of them (Jake Andrews, Sidy Sow, Atonio Mafi). That in combination with starting left guard Cole Strange coming off a season-ending knee injury means that more darts might have to be thrown at the board. Unless free agency pickup Nick Leverett or the other depth pieces are viewed as capable to start if called upon, New England might use a late-round pick and rookie free agency to generate competition up front. | Patriots Big Board: Tanor Bortolini (46.), Matt Goncalves (–)

Minor need

Safety: Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers form one of the best starting safety tandems in football, while Marte Mapu offers promise as a hybrid third option. The team also signed Jalynn Hawkins in free agency, but adding another deep safety to the mix would likely also have a positive impact on the group. If the Patriots do run it back with Dugger, Peppers and Mapu as their top three they will likely still get effective play out of its safety group in 2024. | Patriots Big Board: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (38.), Kamren Kinchens (–), Dominique Hampton (–), Jaylin Simpson (–)

Interior defensive line: The Patriots effectively swapped out Lawrence Guy for Armon Watts, but time will tell whether the latter will have the same positive impact as the former. Still, the core group is a strong one and should only get better with Christian Barmore and Keion White continuing to develop. The future is still looking up for the group, even with Guy no longer part of the mix. | Patriots Big Board: N/A

Off-the-ball linebacker: Free agency signing Sione Takitaki effectively was brought in to replace Mack Wilson as the third linebacker alongside returning starters Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai. That group was good in 2023 and projects to again be among the better ones in the league in 2024. The biggest question mark at linebacker actually might be how the coaching changes on defense will impact the room and its members. Talent-wise, though, no major additions are needed. | Patriots Big Board: Cedric Gray (–)

Long snapper: Joe Cardona had some hiccups last season, especially early on while he was still getting used to working with rookies at both punter/holder (Bryce Baringer) and kicker (Chad Ryland). However, there is no indication that the Patriots are looking into replacing him anytime soon. Maybe the conversation will be a different one next offseason, but the longest-tenured Patriot has earned the benefit of the doubt for now. | Patriots Big Board: N/A

Punter: Bryce Baringer got his fair share of opportunities to showcase his punting abilities in 2023. The rookie was far from perfect, but he showed considerable promise and left little doubt about his outlook as a potential long-term option at the position. The same obviously appeared to be the case with his his predecessor, Jake Bailey, but so far Baringer has shown nothing to suggest he will be subject to a similar drop-off. | Patriots Big Board: N/A

It goes without saying that the ranking here is a subjective one, and that there certainly are arguments about moving particular positions up and down a few spots or into different categories altogether. More than anything, however, the list can be seen as a way of showing where the Patriots roster still has weaknesses heading into draft weekend.

The clear points of emphasis remained unchanged throughout the offseason, though. The quarterback position is clearly top of the list, followed by left tackle and perimeter wide receiver. Those three positions are likely to get addressed early in this year’s draft, even though it remains to be seen how New England will do so.