After parting methods with six-time Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach Invoice Belichick earlier this offseason, the New England Patriots will spend the 2024 season laying the groundwork for his or her future.
The on-field outcomes may not be fairly, contemplating New England has the bottom projected win whole within the NFL (4.5), in keeping with FanDuel Sportsbook. Even so, the Patriots can nonetheless take measures to enhance their long-term outlook this season.
Listed here are the franchise’s most useful folks for 2024.
5. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez
Gonzalez, the seventeenth total choose within the 2023 NFL Draft, has solely performed in 4 profession video games, however he is arguably the highest defensive participant in New England’s younger core.
The Oregon product shined when wholesome final season, overlaying numerous star wideouts, together with A.J. Brown, Tyreek Hill, Garrett Wilson and CeeDee Lamb, serving to him earn NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors for September. Throughout 209 snaps earlier than struggling a season-ending shoulder damage, Gonzalez made 17 tackles, one sack, three move breakups and one interception whereas permitting simply 157 yards and no touchdowns in protection.
Regardless of the small pattern measurement, Gonzalez’s friends have taken discover of his expertise. Throughout a latest interview with ESPN’s Mike Reiss, former Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore stated he sees “lots of myself in” Gonzalez. Although he in all probability will not find yourself successful a Defensive Participant of the Yr Award as Gilmore did, Gonzalez is well-positioned to be an elite NFL cornerback for years to return.
4. Security Jabrill Peppers
With star edge-rusher Matthew Judon having been traded to the Atlanta Falcons, Peppers, a former first-round choose, finds himself as the brand new chief of New England’s protection. Peppers has been one of the underrated safeties within the NFL for a while and is coming off a stellar 2023 season that helped him safe a three-year, $24 million extension in July.
Final season, Peppers racked up 78 tackles, 5 for loss, one sack, eight move breakups and a team-leading two interceptions. In accordance with Pro Football Focus, Peppers was the second-highest-graded run defender amongst NFL safeties and led all gamers at his place in compelled incompletions in man protection (5) and passer ranking allowed from the slot (42.3).
Apart from the strong manufacturing he gives, Peppers brings loads of ardour and depth to New England, which can undoubtedly assist the crew because it makes an attempt to ascertain a brand new id.
3. Head coach Jerod Mayo
A primary-round choose by New England in 2008, the previous All-Professional linebacker has taken over for Belichick because the crew’s head coach after spending the previous 5 seasons as an assistant. Whereas it is unlikely Mayo will be capable to fill his legendary predecessor’s sneakers, the 38-year-old has made some much-needed strides to vary the crew’s tradition for the higher.
A few of the noteworthy modifications Mayo has carried out embody rookies now not sporting ridiculous jersey numbers throughout coaching camp, music being performed all through apply and the addition of a participant lounge. Though these modifications in all probability will not have an effect on the end result of the Patriots’ season, these are small methods to enhance their tradition, which is critical after the crew scored poorly within the 2024 NFLPA survey.
Though wins and losses will not decide whether or not Mayo is the suitable candidate for the job, at the least for this season, the first-time head coach should show he is able to being the chief New England wants.
2. Quarterback Drake Maye
Maye’s improvement would be the largest storyline of New England’s season, and whereas he does not must have a C.J. Stroud-like rookie season, he should present flashes of being a franchise quarterback. The Patriots chosen the previous UNC signal-caller with the third total choose on this previous April’s draft after he threw for 7,929 yards and 62 touchdowns during the last two seasons.
Getting into the draft, scouts thought of Maye a challenge with intriguing instruments. Although it will take time for Maye to develop, notably since his supporting forged is underwhelming, the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has supplied glimpses of his excessive potential throughout the preseason. After enjoying one sequence within the crew’s preseason opener, Maye led the Patriots on two scoring drives in final Thursday’s 14-13 loss to Philadelphia, throwing for 47 yards whereas dashing for 15 yards and one landing.
The expectation is that journeyman Jacoby Brissett will open the season as New England’s beginning quarterback. Nevertheless, Mayo left the door open for Maye to safe the job following his standout preseason efficiency in opposition to the Eagles. Maye may benefit from starting the season as a backup, but when New England begins the season poorly, it would be considerably shocking if he wasn’t the starter by Week 4.
1. Govt vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf
Wolf, New England’s former director of scouting, is tasked with main the crew’s rebuilding course of. Whereas New England’s future will largely be decided by whether or not Maye pans out, Wolf’s actions over the subsequent few seasons will form the inspiration for the franchise because it enters a brand new period.
There’s nonetheless lots of work to be executed, however Wolf is off to a robust begin in getting issues again on observe. Not solely did he land his potential franchise quarterback in April’s draft, however Wolf additionally spent a second-round choose on Ja’Lynn Polk, who might become a high quality No. 2 vast receiver for the Patriots.
Moreover, Wolf made a savvy transfer final week that New England stands to learn from sooner or later, as he traded Judon to the Falcons for a 2025 third-round choose. Though Judon is a premier move rusher when wholesome, he is a 32-year-old coming off a season-ending biceps damage who’s looking for a profitable contract extension.
It will have made little sense for the rebuilding Patriots to provide Judon the extension he wishes, making the third-rounder the crew acquired a worthwhile return. If Wolf can proceed to make wise choices like this, New England could possibly rebuild quicker than anticipated.
