The New England Patriots have struggled to find their footing since the departure of all-time greatest quarterback Tom Brady and their record six Super Bowl Championships. Since the last season of the Brady era, which was in 2019, the team has only made the playoffs once losing by 30 points in the first round in that sole appearance. The team is also coming off of consecutive 4-13 seasons. The future looks very bright as of now however for several reasons that I can outline as the following. Drake Maye looks like a budding star at the quarterback position as the third overall pick in the 2024 draft had a remarkable rookie season. He led all quarterbacks in rushing yards per attempt while also finishing in the top 10 in terms of rushing yards accumulated among all quarterbacks despite playing in only 13 of 17 games. He also finished as a higher rated passer than Caleb Williams, C.J Stroud, Dak Prescott, and Trevor Lawrence. This was also with him as a rookie, the Patriots having amongst the weakest offensive personnel in the NFL, along with New England having a rookie defensive minded head coach who was fired right after the season. Drake Maye, I think, will certainly be in that tier 2 level of quarterbacks with Jared Goff and Jalen Hurts at some point in his career. I also think that he has a shot to be in that first tier of quarterbacks with the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson at some point as well. New England made in my estimation the strongest coaching hire of the offseason when they appointed former Titans head coach and former New England Super Bowl winning linebacker Mike Vrabel as the head coach of the team. Vrabel did an astounding job as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans as they consistently won playoff games and even clinched a number one overall seed in the AFC despite quarterback Ryan Tannehill being relatively average at the position and the Titans being mostly one of the weaker franchises in the NFL. In the 2019 postseason with Vrabel at the helm the Titans defeated the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots in one postseason. The Ravens that year had a historically great season and the Patriots were fresh off a record six Super Bowl Championships. The combination of Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel mirrors that of Brady and Belichick. Maye may not be quite Lamar Jackson in terms of talent just like Brady was not quite Manning or Rodgers in terms of talent, but he is certainly the next closest thing. I would take Mike Vrabel as a defensive minded head coach over any defensive minded head coach in the game today. Just like I would take Belichick over any other defensive minded head coach when he was the head coach of New England. The future looks very bright with those two leading the way for the Patriots. The Patriots also have a top five pick in this year’s upcoming draft despite already having their franchise quarterback of the future. New England also has by far the most cap space out of any NFL team currently.
The New England Patriots did however go 4-13 last season and the roster could certainly use plenty of upgrades. Which as stated above, they have plenty of assets to address it with. Starting with the offensive side of the ball I can describe the Patriots as such from the 2024 season heading into 2025. I have included below their offensive ranks from last season and I have also conducted an analysis of each unit of the offense. With the unit-by-unit analysis I have included the offense grade that each player was given by Pro Football Focus this past season. I have also assigned each player a subjective grade that indicates how strong of players I deem them to be in totality outside of just 2024. That subjective grade is based upon yearly statistical output and yearly subjective grades that were given to them by Pro Football Focus primarily.
Patriots 2024 Offensive Rankings
Points Per Game – 30th
Yards Per Game – 31st
Passing Yards Per Game – 32nd
Rushing Yards Per Game – 13th
Overall Offense Grade According to Pro Football Focus – 30th
Patriots 2024 Offensive Line Rankings
31st in pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
32nd in run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
26th in sacks allowed
31st in pass blocking efficiency according to Pro Football Focus
Patriots 2024 Offensive Line Starters
LT – Vederian Lowe – (72/87) offense grade in 2024 over 803 snaps, C to C-
LG – Michael Jordan – (75/83) offense grade in 2024 over 684 snaps, D+ to C-
C – Ben Brown – (42/43) offense grade in 2024 over 667 snaps, D to D+, free agent
RG – Mike Onwenu – (37/83) offense grade in 2024 over 1020 snaps, B+ to A-
RT – Demontrey Jacobs – (87/87) offense grade in 2024 over 867 snaps, D, free agent
Patriots 2024 Key Offensive Line Reserves
C – David Andrews – (34/43) offense grade in 2024 over 193 snaps, B to B-
G – Layden Robinson – (80/83) offense grade in 2024 over 602 snaps, 2024 4th round pick
T – Caeden Wallace – (85/87) offense grade in 2024 over 129 snaps, 2024 3rd round pick
As you can see from the above three sets of data the Patriots really struggled on the offensive front this past season. Their offensive line was in definitive discussion for being the worst offensive line in the league this past season. Outside of right guard Mike Onwenu who is amongst the better overall guards in the NFL, the remaining 4 offensive line starters consistently rank among the weakest players at their respective positions. Center David Andrews was supposed to start at center for New England this past season but sustained a season ending injury. Andrews is however a very viable starting center when healthy and he and Onwenu should form a very strong interior offensive line tandem if the two can stay healthy next season. Outside of that the Patriots offensive line leaves much to be desired and a primary point of emphasis if not the primary point of emphasis this offseason with the league leading cap space and the top 5 pick they possess should be to bolster the offensive line. I have conducted a similar analysis of the Patriots key skill position players which can be found below.
Patriots Key Skill Position Players
WR1 – Demario Douglas – (56/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, B-
TE1 – Hunter Henry – (17/45) offense grade in 2024 in 16 games, B+
TE2 – Austin Hooper – (7/45) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, B, free agent
WR2 – Kayshon Boutte – (89/110) offense grade in 2024 in 15 games, C
HB1 – Rhamondre Stevenson – (31/58) offense grade in 2024 in 15 games, B-
WR3- Kendrick Bourne – (87/110) offense grade in 2024 in 12 games, C to C+
HB2 – Antonio Gibson – (27/57) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C+ to B-
As you can see from the above the Patriots did indeed lack some talent from a skill position standpoint but there were some bright spots. Demario Douglas is capable but is certainly not a number one wideout and the Patriots should look into acquiring a star #1 wide out this offseason so Douglas can thrive in a #2 or #3 wide out role as opposed to being forced into a #1 wide out role. Hunter Henry ranks among the better overall tight ends in the NFL on a year in year out basis. Austin Hooper is one of the best #2 tight ends in the NFL but is now a free agent entering the offseason. Rhamondre Stevenson is often very productive but has not had a chance as of yet to produce the elite statistical output. This is because he has been on the Patriots for his career and the well below average offensive personnel and coaching they have had has lulled him back. Stevenson has been graded as below average but not well below average among running backs in the past two seasons. In the previous two seasons Stevenson was graded as above average to well above average accounting for offense grades of (12/60) and (13/64) among qualified running backs. Stevenson in the 2022 season accounted for over 1000 rushing yards on 5.0 yards an attempt which is not easy to come by. Stevenson, in my estimation, can certainly begin to emerge as one of the better if not one of the best overall running backs in the NFL if he gets adequate support around him. Kendrick Bourne and Antonio Gibson provide New England with some high-end capabilities from rotational/reserve players as well. Although there are several bright spots from a skill position standpoint for New England, they still had a mediocre caliber skill position grouping a season ago in totality. As they did not have a legitimate #1 wide out and one could certainly argue that Demario Douglas, who served as the team’s primary wide out was not even a viable #2 wide out. Hunter Henry and Rhamondre Stevenson are very talented at tight end and running back but no one confuses them with the George Kittles or the Saquon Barkleys of the world. Just as was the case with the offensive line, New England should emphasize the skill position groupings with their offseason assets. In particular, New England should look to add a legitimate #1 wide receiver along the lines of a Chris Godwin who will be available this offseason.
Overall, on the offensive side of the ball the Patriots have some high caliber players but not elite players sprinkled in every here and there such as Stevenson, Henry, and the two interior offensive lineman. But the team lacked the presence of any truly elite players and also really lacked some talent on certain parts of the roster such as lacking a true #1 wide out along with the remaining starting offensive lineman all being amongst the weakest players at their respective positions. There is a ton to be optimistic about from an offensive standpoint however as Super Bowl winning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels returns as the offensive coordinator. Drake Maye is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL and is heading into his second season. The Patriots have the most cap space, a top five pick, and from an offensive personnel perspective although they are deeply flawed there are still some bright spots. New head coach Mike Vrabel, although being a defensive minded head coach, is still prone to have his offenses produce at a very high clip. The team on the offensive side of the ball also has only one key free agent as well in #2 tight end Austin Hooper.
The defensive side of the ball was also concerning for New England this past season. I conducted a similar analysis of the team on the defensive end which can be found below.
New England Patriots Key Defensive Lineman
DL – Daniel Ekuale – (59/146) defense grade in 2024 over 723 snaps, C+ to B-, free agent
DL – Davon Godchaux – (101/146) defense grade in 2024 over 680 snaps, C,
DL – Jeremiah Pharms – (70/146) defense grade in 2024 over 457 snaps, B, free agent
ED – Deatrich Wise Jr – (87/135) defense grade in 2024 over 409 snaps, C to C+, free agent
ED – Anfernee Jennings – (54/135) defense grade in 2024 over 831 snaps, C+
ED – Keion White – (46/135) defense grade in 2024 over 830 snaps, B
New England Patriots Key Linebackers
LB – Jahlani Tavai – (78/92) defense grade in 2024 over 916 snaps, B to B-
LB – Christian Elliss – (20/92) defense grade in 2024 over 514 snaps, B, free agent
As you can see from the above data the Patriots front seven was comprised of mostly just average to mediocre caliber NFL starters. There are, however, 2-3 above average but not well above average and certainly not elite players sprinkled in every here and there, with a few of those players being free agents as well. A point of emphasis this offseason should be to add some high-end talent to the front seven.
New England Patriots Key Secondary Players
S – Jabril Peppers – (5/104) defense grade in 2024 over 372 snaps, B+
S – Dell Pettus – (19/104) defense grade in 2024 over 341 snaps, B+
S – Kyle Dugger – (102/104) defense grade in 2024 over 759 snaps, C+ to B-
S – Jaylinn Hawkins – (71/104) defense grade in 2024 over 613 snaps, C, free agent
S – Marte Mapu – (53/104) defense grade in 2024 over 487 snaps, C
CB – Christian Gonzalez – (11/128) defense grade in 2024 over 978 snaps, A-
CB – Jonathan Jones – (80/128) defense grade in 2024 over 712 snaps, C+ to B-, free agent
CB – Marcus Jones – (34/75) defense grade in 2024 over 459 snaps, B
CB – Isaiah Bolden – (8/128) defense grade in 2024 over 141 snaps, A so far as these are only career snaps
The Patriots’ secondary was the calling card of the defense a season ago and was certainly one of the most talented overall secondaries in the NFL. Although it would behoove New England to address the front seven and the offensive side of the ball as those are the weakness of the team. It wouldn’t hurt to strengthen the strength of the team which is the secondary.
New England Patriots 2024 Defensive Rankings
22nd in points per game allowed
22nd in yards per game allowed
24th in overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
Overall, the Patriots on the defensive end were very mediocre this past season. The front seven was amongst the weaker front sevens in the NFL. The secondary was very talented but struggled with injuries in particular the top two safeties missing more than half the year each. Even when healthy the New England secondary is not quite elite either. Given how mobile quarterback Drake Maye is and how effective running back Rhamondre Stevenson can be, perhaps New England should emphasize the defensive side of the ball this offseason over the offensive line.
In totality New England is a beacon of optimism heading into this offseason. Quarterback Drake Maye is a budding star if not a budding superstar at quarterback. Mike Vrabel was the best head coach hire of the offseason and in my estimation is the premier defensive head coach in the game. The team has the most amount of cap space along with a top 5 pick in the draft. The team does still have some talent at tight end, running back, interior offensive line, and in the secondary. Owner Robert Kraft is still the premier owner in perhaps all of professional sports as well. New England can maybe be a dangerous playoff team next season but likely not more. After that it would surprise me if Maye/Vrabel/Kraft didn’t have the Patriots consistently contending for Super Bowls the way things currently stand for them.
