The New England Patriots are just one year removed from Super Bowl glory, and they’ve proved this offseason not to be resting on their laurels.
Offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo, linebackers coach Patrick Graham, strength and conditioning coach Harold Nash and medical director Dr. Matt Provencher won’t return to the Patriots in 2016. Tough decisions on players could come as soon as next week, when they can begin releasing veterans. The Patriots also could look to extend some defensive foundation players.
Here’s what the Patriots’ offseason plan should entail:
IMPROVE OFFENSIVE LINE
This one is a little complicated. The Patriots’ 2016 starting offensive line is probably currently on the roster (unless they make a splash move and decide to part ways with Sebastian Vollmer). They just have to be so, so much better in 2016 than they were in 2015.
Vollmer and Nate Solder likely will start at tackle, Bryan Stork or David Andrews will start at center and some combination of Josh Kline, Shaq Mason or Tre’ Jackson will probably start at the two guard positions. Another year in the Patriots’ offense and in the NFL will aid Stork, Andrews, Mason and Jackson, all of whom must get stronger at the point of attack in the running game and be much better at protecting quarterback Tom Brady from being pressured. Solder and Vollmer simply need to avoid injuries.
Even when Solder was healthy in 2015, no single offensive lineman truly stood out positively for the Patriots. Perhaps a new offensive line coach also can recharge this unit.
The Patriots should acquire one more offensive tackle to replace Marcus Cannon as the primary reserve. That player could have a chance to unseat Vollmer as a starter, depending on his level talent level and some training camp competition.
EXTEND DONT’A HIGHTOWER
Hightower currently carries a $7.751 salary cap hit in 2016, and that could be lowered with a contract extension. Hightower, when healthy, is the Patriots’ best, most versatile and most consistent defender. He’s stout against the run, holds his own in coverage and might be the best pass-rushing linebacker in the NFL. He’s also likely a future captain, and he quarterbacks the defense. When he’s on the field, the Patriots have a chance at being one of the best units in the NFL.
The Patriots should also find a way to extend linebacker Jamie Collins and cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan to keep their defensive foundation in place. The Patriots also could look to sign pass rusher Chandler Jones to a contract extension if they can receive solid value out of the defensive end. It would behoove Jones to test the open market, however, since pass rushers typically are overpaid.
BOLSTER OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
The Patriots’ offense severely lacked offensive weapons by the end of the 2015 regular season, when Julian Edelman and Dion Lewis were out and Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola were banged up.
Brandon LaFell wasn’t the same wide receiver in 2015 as he was in 2014, when he had career highs wth 953 yards and seven touchdowns. Can the Patriots count on LaFell returning to 2015 form with a fully healthy offseason? That remains to be seen.
So, the Patriots should look to add another big receiver or starting-caliber tight end in free agency or the draft. It would be helpful to add some youth to the Patriots’ receiving corps, since Edelman, LaFell and Amendola will be 30 in 2016. Potential free-agent addition Mohamed Sanu is just 26, and this appears to be another solid draft for big wide receivers.
The Patriots also must add a running back who can carry the ball between the tackles.
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
