The New England Patriots entered the legal toddler period with plenty of available resources, and they maneuvered accordingly. The Patriots brought in seven outside free agents and re-signed two internal players on Monday, spending more than $ 200 million on reported contractual value and strengthening the depth at some key positions in the roster.
However, what do these moves mean for the players who are already on the team? Let’s look early on to those who may or may not have benefited from it.
Winner: QB Cam Newton
Although Newton’s play in 2020 was a disappointment, it can not be considered in a vacuum: the Patriots’ talent for passing pace was also not up to par. With the next season, it would seem that the team is actively trying to address this issue.
After signing tighthead prop Jonnu Smith the start of the legal mess, New England later also added Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne to improve their receiver’s broad position. Needless to say, the two positions are now stronger than they entered this week, which in turn should provide Newton with a more favorable environment to have, when he returns as the starting quarterback, a more favorable environment to enter. work.
Winners: G Michael Onwenu and OT Isaiah Wynn
The Patriots’ offensive line has lost its most consistent player of the 2020 season due to a record-breaking contract – Joe Thuney joins the Kansas City Chiefs on a $ 80 million five-year deal – but two players can in the aftermath are seen as winners. . First, the departure of Thuney frees Michael Onwenu to move back to his more natural waiting position and possibly reach a ceiling higher than it would be in the right place he played for most of his rookie campaign last year .
Isaiah Wynn, on the other hand, is a benefactor of Thuney who is gone because it would increase his chances of being on the 2021 Patriots list. There were rumors about the Patriots possibly bringing their longtime left guard back into the fold, which in turn might have created a scenario in which Wynn ended up as the strange man along the offensive line. However, this never materialized.
Losers: TE Dalton Keene, TE Ryan Izzo and TE Matt LaCosse
While the grid of Devin Asiasi must remain safe despite the addition of the new number one Jonnu Smith, it seems that the depth options at the narrow position are now on thin ice and fighting for a maximum of one grid – if there is none additional movements are not being made over the coming days and weeks. This means that Dalton Keene, Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse’s chances of returning in 2021 just got a big hit.
While Izzo and LaCosse have done little so far during their time in New England, and it is not upside down, Keene is coming off a challenging rookie year. While selected in the third round, the Virginia Tech product struggled to stay healthy and adapt to the Patriots system. He needs to make a big leap and improve his availability to make the team.
Loser: CB Joejuan Williams
With veteran cornerback Jason McCourty on his way to unlimited free agency, the road seems open for former second-round draft pick Joejuan Williams to take over and earn more prominent playing time on defense. The Patriots adding the slightly smaller but even more versatile Jalen Mills could put an end to these plans: Mills is expected to be used in different ways, while Williams’ path to defensive opportunities is less clear at this point.
Winner: DT Byron Cowart
New England did draw four defensive lines inland on Day One of the legal toddler window – Davon Godchaux and Henry Anderson were added, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Carl Davis was re-signed – creating a bit of extra competition from scratch. Nevertheless, Byron Cowart could be one of its big winners.
After all, the former draft pick of the fifth round sometimes had to play out of position in the 2020 season. Since New England did not play on the nose continuously, they also had to move the underdog Cowart there from time to time. Adding Godchaux and retaining Davis could help him return to his more natural end position in the 3-4 fronts of the team.
Loser: DT Beau Allen
While one defensive attack may be a benefactor of the bodies added along the defensive line, another is not. Beau Allen was signed as the big nose after Danny Shelton’s departure last year, but he never took the field due to an enigmatic ailment. The addition of Godchaux and Davis, who are also returning, could cause the 29-year-old downfall, unless he can return to the field soon and meet his $ 3.1 million salary cap season.
Winners: LB Josh Uche and LB Anfernee Jennings
The Patriots did add a prominent player to their defensive lead in the form of Matthew Judon, but their two young links in the lineouts could still be better for it. Both Uche and Jennings were used regularly during the rookie season in 2020, but this was mostly due to necessity. While Judon would fulfill the old Kyle Van Noy role as the leading point in all three defensive ladies, the two could be used in more favorable situations moving forward.
While Uche may become a pass-chase specialist alongside Judon and Chase Winovich, the team could give Jennings another short turn at the early discount. Either way, the addition of the Baltimore Ravens longtime defender gives New England a bit of flexibility when it comes to them.