New England Patriots fans were ecstatic to learn Wednesday night that their team reportedly will trade for tight end Martellus Bennett. The deal will come with a downside, however: Fans no longer can complain Tom Brady has no weapons.
Let’s look at what the Patriots quarterback is projected to work with in 2016:
12 personnel: RB Dion Lewis, WR Julian Edelman, WR Chris Hogan/Danny Amendola, TE Rob Gronkowski, TE Martellus Bennett
11 personnel: RB Dion Lewis, WR Julian Edelman, WR Chris Hogan, WR Danny Amendola, TE Rob Gronkowski
22 personnel: RB Dion Lewis, FB James Develin, WR Julian Edelman, TE Rob Gronkowski, TE Martellus Bennett
Empty personnel: WR Julian Edelman, WR Chris Hogan, WR Danny Amendola, TE Rob Gronkowski, TE Martellus Bennett
The Patriots should look to add another running back — preferably a “big back” — through free agency or the draft. Beyond Lewis, who’s coming off a torn ACL, they have just Brandon Bolden, Donald Brown, Tyler Gaffney, Joey Iosefa and James White.
But even before adding another ball carrier, this group of offensive passing weapons stacks up with some of Brady’s best arsenals. It’s better than what the Patriots had in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
2013
RB Stevan Ridley
RB LeGarrette Blount
RB Shane Vereen
WR Julian Edelman
WR Danny Amendola
WR Aaron Dobson
WR Kenbrell Thompkins
TE Rob Gronkowski
TE Michael Hoomanawanui
2014
RB Stevan Ridley
RB LeGarrette Blount
RB Shane Vereen
RB Jonas Gray
WR Julian Edelman
WR Brandon LaFell
WR Danny Amendola
TE Rob Gronkowski
TE Tim Wright
TE Michael Hoomanawanui
2015
RB LeGarrette Blount
RB Dion Lewis
RB James White
RB Brandon Bolden
WR Julian Edelman
WR Danny Amendola
WR Brandon LaFell
WR Keshawn Martin
TE Rob Gronkowski
TE Scott Chandler
TE Michael Williams
Lewis was better in 2015 than Vereen as a passing-down back in the Patriots’ offense. If Lewis doesn’t come back at 100 percent, running back still could be considered a wash as a receiving option, compared to 2013 and 2014. Bennett would be a much better receiving option than Wright, Hoomanawanui and Chandler. Hogan probably isn’t as good as LaFell was in 2014, but the combination of Hogan and Bennett is better than LaFell and Wright. Ridley, Blount and Gray provided just nine receptions in 2014.
The 2012 Patriots offense stacks up well with the projected 2016 squad.
2012
RB Stevan Ridley
RB Danny Woodhead
RB Shane Vereen
RB Brandon Bolden
WR Wes Welker
WR Brandon Lloyd
WR Julian Edelman
WR Deion Branch
TE Rob Gronkowski
TE Aaron Hernandez
Adding Woodhead to the mix makes the 2012 third-down backs better than Lewis, and Hernandez was better than Bennett (though 2016 Gronkwoski is better than his 2012 version). The Patriots’ 2016 receivers are likely better than their 2012 counterparts. Welker was better than Edelman, but Amendola, Hogan and Martin are better than Lloyd, 2012 Edelman and 33-year-old Branch.
The 2016 squad also stacks up pretty well with the 2011 offense.
2011
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
RB Danny Woodhead
RB Kevin Faulk
WR Wes Welker
WR Deion Branch
WR Chad Johnson
TE Rob Gronkowski
TE Aaron Hernandez
Woodhead wasn’t quite Woodhead yet, so Lewis gets the edge. Branch was much better in 2011 than he was in 2012, but the 2016 receivers still get the edge. Hernandez was better than Bennett, however.
The Patriots’ offense already is looking in good shape, and they still have more pieces to add. They’ll almost certainly bring in another running back or two, and they’ve shown interest in signing another wide receiver.
Bill Belichick the GM is doing Brady no disservice this offseason.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
