The season is coming. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the New England Patriots 2024. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
An end that has become inevitable. After 24 seasons spent as head coach of the New England Patriots, the iconic Bill Belichick was asked to pack his bags. It must be said that the last exercise of the residents of Foxborough was simply calamitous. In cruel lack of offensive inspiration, in the wake of its quarterback Mac Jones. In constant regression on the offensive line and on the running position, New England even saw its defense drop off little by little, while seeing its rookie kicker struggle to concretize the actions with the foot (64% on field goals).
A clean sweep was therefore necessary. However, it is towards a man who was already on the coaching staff in 2023 that owner Robert Kraft turned. Jerod Mayo, former linebacker of the team and recently unofficial coordinator, is supposed to perpetuate what has always worked in New England (defense), while bringing a new vision in other areas. How does this materialize? Elements of an answer.
Last season: 4 wins – 13 losses, last in AFC East
Off-season moves
Notable arrivals: Jacoby Brissett (QB), Antonio Gibson (RB), KJ Osborn (WR), Austin Hooper (TE), Chukwuma Okorafor (OT), Sione Takitaki (LB).
Re-signings: Kendrick Bourne (WR), Jalen Reagor (WR), Hunter Henry (TE), Michael Onwenu (OT), Anfernee Jennings (LB), Josh Uche (LB), Kyle Dugger (S).
Draft: Drake Maye (QB), Ja'Lynn Polk (WR), Caedan Wallace (OT), Layden Robinson (G), Javon Baker (WR), Marcellas Dial (DB), Joe Milton (QB), Jaheim Bell (FB) /YOU).
Notable losses: Mac Jones (QB), Ezekiel Elliott (RB), DeVante Parker (WR), Mike Gesicki (TE), Pharaoh Brown (TE), Trent Brown (OT), Lawrence Guy (DL), Mack Wilson (LB) , Myles Bryant (CB), Jalen Mills (DB).
By first deciding to turn the page on the offensive coordinator, Jerod Mayo sent a strong first message. Exit the historic Bill O'Brien, who remained in the suburbs of Boston, but as head coach of Boston College. To succeed him, Alex Van Pelt, former boss of the Browns' offense, arrives. If everything did not work out for him in Ohio, Kevin Stefanski's right-hand man still put in place a coherent ground game, a solid offensive line and compensated for the regular absences of Deshaun Watson, by relying on PJ Walker, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Joe Flacco. He comes with part of his coaching staff, including TC McCartney, quarterbacks coach, and Scott Peters, line coach, to start from scratch.
Speaking of a new era, it's probably no coincidence that seven of the New England Patriots' eight 2024 draft picks (the first five even) are all forwards. Beyond Drake Maye and Ja'Lynn Polk, expected to energize the air and make Mac Jones and DeVante Parker forget respectively, the Pats brought in Antonio Gibson. A transfer from Washington, he should provide viable competition to an all-too-often fragile Rhamondre Stevenson at running back.
In defense, the good performance of the first curtain highlighted the good management of DeMarcus Covington, promoted for the occasion to coordinator. He is the main upheaval of a group that will count above all on the young wolves to take up the torch (Barmore, White, Mapu, Gonzalez, etc.).
Typical New England Patriots 2024 team:
Quarterback: Drake Maye – Running back: Rhamondre Stevenson – Receivers: Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk – Tight end: Hunter Henry – Offensive line (left to right): Chukwuma Okorafor, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Sidy Sow , Mike Onwenu.
Defensive Line: Deatrich Wise, Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux – Linebackers: Matt Judon, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai – Cornerbacks: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones – Safeties: Jabrill Peppers, Kyle Dugger.
Matt Judon, back after a long-term injury.
The strong points)
As is often the case, even in the aftermath of Bill Belichick's departure, the main strong point is in defense. With 1,584 yards conceded on the ground (the 4e best record in the league) and 11 forced fumbles (3e balance sheet) in 2023, the run stop Foxborough has been a steady force amid the fog. The safety tandem of Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger is one of the most complementary in the country, which probably explains the tag and the recent extension of the second city.
On the defensive line, Davon Godchaux remains an ultra-imposing nose tackle and allowed the young Christian Barmore to develop effectively last season (8 and a half sacks). Finally, the second curtain is not left out, with more than honest campaigns for linebackers Ja'Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai. More in difficulty against the pass (like his team), Anfernee Jennings allowed to establish a little more this domination of the Pats against the opposing ground game.
The weak spots)
This first point should be put into perspective, as the Patriots lost Matt Judon and Christian Gonzalez at the same time at the start of the season, when both men had the wind in their sails. But New England seemed pretty average when it came to defending the pass. On the pass rush in particular, despite a surge in 2022 (54 sacks), the Bostonians fell back to 36 sacks, entering the top 10 of the worst performers in this area. If Barmore has demonstrated real versatility, with his 8 and a half sacks on the clock, his future is still in parentheses, as he was recently diagnosed with a thrombus, with the appearance of blood clots in the body. On the field, we also expect more from other young talents like Keion White, drafted in 2023 and already in serious competition with Deatrich Wise on the outside.
Beyond this defensive parenthesis, the work is of course mainly on offense. What about the receiver position, which remains a frequent cause of headaches for Pats fans? Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas have been quite valiant in recent months, but have not brought the verticality sought to make this offense take a significant step forward. No more than DeVante Parker at the end of the course, and now retired, or JuJu Smith-Schuster, diminished in 2023 and who will have been content with the intermediate sector.
It was therefore urgent to find a real deep threat, which the too irregular Jalen Reagor does not seem to represent either. Rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker arrive with references in this area. In the event of another injury to Bourne, former Viking KJ Osborn also brings his experience as a wide receiver. Does this mean we have a designated number 1 for the new quarterback in place? Nothing is less certain, and this battle will be one of the most intriguing (if not exciting) of the summer camps.
X-Factor: The Offensive Line
In addition to a preferred receiver, the new quarterback in place will also and above all have to hope for protection worthy of the name. In 2023, the New England Patriots conceded 48 sacks, once again appearing in the worst top 10 in this statistical category. There are multiple reasons to explain this disaster in a group that nevertheless relied on the know-how of David Andrews at center.
Recently extended, Michael Onwenu is a sure bet on the ground game but must deal with a physique that lets him down in a lot of protection phases. In guards, the very young Sidy Sow and Cole Strange were thrown into the deep end with varying fortunes, depending on the matches.
Finally, the left tackle position is THE question mark of this offseason. After ensuring the interim, former player Trent Brown left for Cincinnati, leaving the Pats with the need to find a more effective successor. However, General Manager Eliot Wolf surprised more than one by signing former Steelers player Chukwuma Okorafor and drafting former Penn State player Caedan Wallace in the last draft. Two tough profiles but who present a major problem: that of having never played a snap blind side.
So it's time for adjustments for Jerod Mayo and his staff, starting with the new offensive line coach, Scott Peters. Beyond Okorafor and Wallace, the options are not legion, except for Vederian Lowe, painfully tested on the position last year, and Calvin Anderson, recurring subscriber to the infirmary.
Drake Maye, the source of all curiosities in Foxborough.
Player to watch: Drake Maye (QB)
Were you expecting someone else? With all the offensive shortcomings listed above, it is important to emphasize the crucial role that the current quarterback will have to play. And while Jacoby Brissett was hired for his experience, his knowledge of the place and the playbook from his former coordinator Alex Van Pelt, it's a safe bet that Drake Maye will quickly be in command of the offense.
Sam Howell's successor at the University of North Carolina, Maye has made the Tar Heels' attack a consistent force. Not only thanks to his precision in the vertical game, but also thanks to his bluffing mobility, which will clearly bring a plus compared to Mac Jones, especially with the questions around the offensive line.
Number 3 in the last draft, Drake Maye finished the 2023 season with a record of 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 12 games. Not to mention the 449 yards and 9 touchdowns scored through the ground.
New England Patriots 2024 Schedule
@ Bengals, Seahawks, @ Jets, @ Niners, Dolphins, Texans, Jaguars (in London), Jets, @ Titans, @ Bears, Rams, @ Dolphins, Colts, @ Cardinals, @ Bills, Chargers, Bills
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
While it's hard to believe that this offense can do worse than what it showed in 2023 (seven games with fewer than ten points scored), there aren't many reassuring elements in attack. For his rookie campaign, Drake Maye will have to work hard to carry a group in need of benchmarks around him.
It will also be urgent to improve the few offensive sequences with points on foot, too often left along the way.
Despite the demands of the last two decades, it is not certain that the pressure of the result is already there for Jerod Mayo and these New England Patriots 2024, especially in the division that is theirs.
Mails will need content and consistency to give the impression of better days, starting with the 2025 campaign.
