Let's take stock of where we are on offense:
QB: Set for the purposes of FA/draft.
RB: Could use an infusion, and there are solid options in FA who bring different things like Dobbins, Mostert, Chubb (but age), Saunders, and Dowdle. But note that this is also a great position to hit in the draft this year.
FB: Probably need one for Josh. Could be drafted late.
TE: Could use a 3rd guy with upside, so I expect this to be a low level signing and hit in the draft - another strong position. Those of you wishing for a trade down and Ty Warren, that's not happening or they wouldn't have paid Hooper. Unless Josh is all in on 2 and 3 TE sets this year.
OT: RT is set with a veteran and youth with upside. LT is...not. An option might be Meckai Becton making the switch back out to OT. People may need to get their heads around Will Campbell as one of the more likely picks in round 1. There are rumblings about the measurements at the combine being universally low - about 3/8" shorter on average than those done at the Shrine and Senior bowls, and only 2 (!) who measured >33"? Who knows, but at the end of the day it's a dude with a tape measure, and this dude got different measurements than a different dude. He might be the best LT option the Patriots have available, even if he's destined to be an all pro LG.
OG: You could argue that we're set with Onwenu on one side with Strange, Sow, and Robinson fighting to produce one starter on the other side and both backups. I'd kinda like to see Jenkins or Becton come in to sure that spot up if we can't feel confident about LT. I don't like wasting the potential from the young guys, but we can't risk an entire side of the line caving in if no one steps up. One spot on the line can be coached around, but not two, and two right next to each other is a real problem.
C: Andrews, Brown, Andrews, and maybe Strange. I'd like to see more upside to push El Capitan, but we have bigger fish to fry.
WR: Pop, Bourne, and Hollins can all at least play on an NFL field. Boutte has shown some stuff. Baker probably has the most raw talent, and is the only one of the bunch who could realistically become a full time X. Polk is...
. We need a guy who could be considered a number 1. We don't need more 3s and 4s. I'd settle for a 2 we could pretend is a 1 to at least hopefully free people up. But he isn't there. It's trade or nothing, and this is not the year to need a #1 WR in the draft. Aiyuk, pay a fortune for AJ Brown...anyone else have any ideas? In the draft the kids from Iowa State could be the right fit. Golden from Texas. No one that is likely to walk in and be a clear #1. But I don't think it makes sense to try to square peg this round hole in a FA class that has no round pegs.
www.sharpfootballanalysis.com
