Inside linebacker, cornerback, receiver among top needs for New England Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Thoughts and quick notes on the New England Patriots and the NFL:

1. Classification of the main needs: When the Patriots’ season ended with a 47-17 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills in which they couldn’t force a punt, the knee-jerk reaction was that the team’s offseason priorities should look like this: Defense. Defending. And more defense.

Now, a month later, with more time for reflection and study, it is still true to some extent.

But as Bill Belichick and his staff begin laying out the pieces for 2022, the prospect of young defenders moving up to bigger roles plays a factor in determining which positions are in greatest need.

Inside linebacker Cameron McGrone (2021 fifth round), outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins (2021 third round), cornerback Shaun Wade (2021 rookie trade acquisition) and safety Joshuah Bledsoe (2021 sixth round) are among those who enter the discussion.

Here’s a view of the priority list based on team position:

1. Inside Linebacker: Raekwon McMillan was coming into training camp in 2021 before tearing his ACL, but relying on him as part of the goal of being younger and faster is risky, based on injury history. Starters Dont’a Hightower and Ja’Whaun Bentley are scheduled for free agency.

2. Cornerback: JC Jackson’s free-agent status is arguably the team’s biggest question. If it ends up somewhere else, it’s Jalen Mills, Jonathan Jones, and then uncertainty.

3. The wide receiver: Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne have proven themselves worthy of being part of the long-term plan, with Nelson Agholor entering the final season of his two-year deal. Adding a high pass receiver to help quarterback Mac Jones would be ideal.

4. offensive line: The Bengals’ struggles in Super Bowl LVI serve as a reminder of the importance of the line; re-signing Ted Karras and Trent Brown would go a long way in cementing this group.

5. defensive line: Christian Barmore has top-tier potential, and with Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, Byron Cowart & Co., any investment would be bigger with 2023 and beyond in mind.

6. Safety: Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips return as part of a promising combination, and if Devin McCourty re-signs, the idea would be to groom his eventual successor at quarterback for the defense.

7. Running backwards: A true third-down option (James White is a free agent) is the void and a possible upgrade at fullback.

8. Attacking player: Brian Hoyer (free agent) was a solid mentor to Jones, and with the offensive coaching staff in transition, his presence has added significance.

9. Kicker: Evan McPherson’s breakout rookie season in Cincinnati highlighted the value of a dependable kicker, and the Patriots have one in veteran Nick Folk, provided he re-signs, giving Quinn Nordin more development time.

10. hard ending: After spending a lot of money to land Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry last offseason, the priority is getting more out of Smith.

11. Outside linebacker: Large cash/spin investments have already been made with Matthew Judon, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Uche, Chase Winovich, Anfernee Jennings and Perkins.

2. Draft plan: How much the Patriots need a cornerback will depend on what happens with Jackson in free agency, and I took note of ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper calling him one of the deepest spots in the draft along with running back on end. “If you say, ‘Who’s in my top 10 [at corner]?’ it’s hard to separate seventh from 15th,” Kiper said in the entertaining “First eraser” podcast with Todd McShay and Field Yates. Kiper added catcher in that group and said “both the slot and the outside will be a position that will create some opportunities. [into] Day 3 too.” However, if you’re looking for quarterbacks and running backs, Kiper and McShay say this year is in short supply.

3. The role of the wolf: When the Patriots announced last week that college scouting director Matt Groh had been promoted to director of player personnel, one of the popular questions on social media was what it means for scouting consultant Eliot Wolf, who is often go with former director of player personnel Dave Ziegler. in games last season. At this point, the answer seems to be the status quo. Wolf, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf, is still with the Patriots, and 2022 would be his third season with the team. He interviewed for GM openings in Chicago and Minnesota this offseason, and should be a candidate for other openings next year as well. So for now, he teams with Groh, pro scouting director Steve Cargile and a soon-to-be-named college scouting coordinator (possibly national scout Camren Williams) at the top of the Patriots’ personnel department.

Josh McDaniels 📝🗞🔎

For those interested in a closer look. pic.twitter.com/urmt1ZsLpo

—Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 16, 2022

4. McDaniels note: Josh McDaniels penned an elegant and thoughtful note of thanks to Patriots fans in Wednesday’s Boston Globe. That he chose the Globe to do it, and not social media, was no accident. McDaniels may only be 45 years old, but he is an old soul in that sense. I called Globe’s advertising department to try to get a better idea of ​​how much an ad like that might cost, and a rep told me an average of $20,000.

5. Wynn checks in: Starting left tackle Isaiah Wynn did not play in the playoff loss to the Bills due to hip and ankle injuries. Wynn was at Gillette Stadium last week in practice, remembering that players’ recoveries sometimes extend well into the offseason. His presence was likely part of the standard offseason medical checkups for players returning from injury.

6. Staff taking shape: The more time passes, this reporter’s sense is that the Patriots’ coaching staff is less likely to have more top-tier additions. If that’s the case, that’s how I see the core of the staff, with some specific roles/titles/responsibilities yet to be determined.

• Offense: Nick Caley, Matt Patricia, Joe Judge, Troy Brown, Vinnie Sunseri, Billy Yates, Tyler Hughes

• Defending: Steve Belichick, Jerod Mayo, DeMarcus Covington, Mike Pellegrino, Brian Belichick, Ross Douglas

• Special teams: Cameron AccordJoe Houston

7. Brain drain: Bill Belichick has lost some valuable coaches in recent years, and that “brain drain” has been a popular media discussion in New England. It could be real by the time the games start to be played. But for now, an easy point to miss is that Belichick still turns to valuable resources like Ernie Adams and Dante Scarnecchia on a part-time basis in the offseason, evaluating prospects and schemes, among other things. They remain connected to the team, and soon-to-retiring running backs coach Ivan Fears likely will, too.

8. Restricted free agents: The Patriots will soon have to decide whether to offer their three restricted free agents: Meyers, returnee Gunner Olszewski and fullback Jakob Johnson. Teams can bid at three tiers: right of first refusal (projected $2.9 million, per Over the Cap), second round (projected $3.9 million) and first round ($5.5 million).

If the Patriots elect the right of first-offer offer, and the player is signed on an offer sheet by another team, New England would receive draft selection compensation based on where the player entered the league. But since Meyers, Olszewski and Johnson entered as undrafted players, the Patriots would receive no compensation in that scenario.

So it wouldn’t be surprising if the club seeks extensions in the coming weeks (Meyers and Johnson are represented by negotiating agent Drew Rosenhaus). And if that doesn’t work out, Meyers envisions a second-round bid, in which Olszewski and Johnson may not be bid at all.

9. Hobby Accessories: A nugget left over from the Super Bowl with a New England twist: Marion Hobby, who just wrapped up his first season as the Bengals’ defensive line coach, played for the Patriots from 1990 to 1992 under head coaches Rod Rust and Dick MacPherson. . It’s always interesting to note which coaches generate “buzz” in the media, and Hobby, whose unit was dominant at times in shutting down the Rams’ running game, has seemingly flown under the radar.

10. Did you know? Belichick enters his 23rd season as Patriots coach in 2022, tying Chuck Noll (Steelers) and Steve Owen (Giants) for the fifth-longest tenure with a team as head coach, behind only George Halas (40, Bears). ), Curly Lambeau (29, Packers), Tom Landry (29, Cowboys) and Don Shula (26, Dolphins).