Remember when New England Patriots fans were in a tizzy because Bill Belichick wasn’t making enough moves in free agency?
In the span of two days, Belichick added four former first-round draft picks (guard Jonathan Cooper, defensive end Chris Long, running back Donald Brown and linebacker Shea McClellin) and one of the NFL’s best tight ends in Martellus Bennett. Happy now?
Let’s go through the Patriots’ current depth chart after a flurry of moves.
QUARTERBACK
Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo
The Patriots will need a third camp arm before the summer, but that should be quite low on their current priorities list. That is, unless Brady’s four-game suspension is reinstated. In that case, the Patriots should aim only slightly higher in acquiring a quarterback since Garoppolo would start the first four games of the season.
Level of need: Undrafted free agent or low-level free agent
RUNNING BACK
Dion Lewis, Brandon Bolden, James White, Donald Brown, Tyler Gaffney
The Patriots are all set at sub back, since Lewis, Bolden, White, Brown and Gaffney have pass-catching experience. The Patriots won’t go into training camp with Bolden and Gaffney as their only big back candidates, though. Look for them to sign one of the best available free-agent running backs and/or select a player high in this year’s draft. LeGarrette Blount still could return as an unrestricted free agent.
Level of need: High draft pick and/or one of the best available free agents
FULLBACK
James Develin, Joey Iosefa
The Patriots have two more fullbacks than some NFL teams do.
Level of need: None
WIDE RECEIVER
Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, Keshawn Martin, Aaron Dobson, Chris Harper, Matthew Slater, DeAndre Carter
The Patriots could go into the 2016 season with this receiver corps, but I suspect they’ll add one or two more bodies. They should select a player in the draft with starting potential. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them sign a free agent such as Nate Washington or Jeremy Kerley, too.
If the Patriots elect to cut or trade Amendola, their need grows considerably higher, since they would need a new slot receiver. Regardless, the Patriots should actively be looking for a wide receiver in the draft.
Level of need: Early to-mid-round draft pick or mid- to low-level veteran free agent
TIGHT END
Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett, Michael Williams, A.J. Derby
The Patriots should select a tight end in the draft to compete with Derby. They’ll need another player at the position when Bennett hits free agency next offseason.
Level of need: Mid- to late-round draft pick
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon, LaAdrian Waddle, Cameron Fleming, Keavon Milton
Like at receiver, the Patriots could go into 2016 with this group, but it’s not ideal. They need a player with starting potential if they don’t plan to bring back Vollmer in 2017.
Level of need: High draft pick
GUARD
Josh Kline, Jonathan Cooper, Shaq Mason, Tre’ Jackson, Chris Barker
The Patriots are all set at guard after bringing in Cooper, signing Kline to an extension last season and selecting Mason and Jackson in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Level of need: Undrafted free agent
CENTER
Bryan Stork, David Andrews
The Patriots already have two starting-caliber players at this position. They’ll likely bring in one more center for training camp reps.
Level of need: Undrafted free agent
DEFENSIVE END
Jabaal Sheard, Rob Ninkovich, Chris Long, Geneo Grissom, Trey Flowers, Rufus Johnson, Eric Martin
The Patriots are in an interesting situation at defensive end, where Sheard, Ninkovich and Long are set to hit free agency after the season. How the Patriots handle this position in the draft depends on how they feel about Grissom and Flowers. If those two have starting potential, then it likely won’t be addressed until late. If there’s doubt, the Patriots should take another pass rusher relatively high in the draft.
Level of need: Late-round draft pick
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Malcom Brown, Alan Branch, Dominique Easley, Chris Jones, Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, Frank Kearse, Joe Vellano
The Patriots could use their top pick on a defensive tackle for the third consecutive draft. They will need another starter if Branch, 31, isn’t re-signed after the season. Easley is used as a third-down interior rusher.
Level of need: Top-available free agent and/or high draft pick
LINEBACKER
Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower, Shea McClellin, Jonathan Freeny, Jon Bostic, Ramon Humber, Brandon King, Kevin Snyder, James Vaughters
Linebacker was a much bigger need before the Patriots signed McClellin on Wednesday night. With three starting-caliber players in place, the Patriots can wait until the middle to late rounds to address this position.
Level of need: Mid- to late-round draft pick
CORNERBACK
Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Justin Coleman, Darryl Roberts, Rashaan Melvin
The Patriots need bodies at cornerback, but they should be set with starters Butler and Ryan. Coleman and Roberts could use some competition for the No. 3 role, however.
Butler and Ryan will be free agents after the season, so the Patriots could plan ahead and select a potential starter high in the draft.
Level of need: Low-level free agent and/or mid- to late-round draft pick
SAFETY
Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, Jordan Richards, Nate Ebner, Brock Vereen, Cedric Thompson
The Patriots have plenty of talent and depth at safety. They’ll likely still select a player with one of their 11 draft picks.
Level of need: Late-round draft pick
Thumbnail photo via Billy Hurst/USA TODAY Sports images
