With the on field workouts of the NFL Combine kicking off tonight, I thought I would share some of my thoughts on what this combine means for the Patriots. Here are ten thoughts.
1.It doesn’t appear the Patriots have met with Tom Brady’s agent Don Yee as was reported earlier in the week. In fact, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald has reported that the Patriots have not spoken to Brady and that the situation is “not looking good.”
According to Jeff Darlington of ESPN, Brady is looking forward to free agency. It does not appear, at least as of right now that Brady is going to re-sign with the Patriots before the start of free agency.
2. Based on the news regarding Brady, quarterback will be a position of interest in this combine for the Patriots. Obviously they are out on Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert but they will be paying close attention to Jordan Love, Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm‘s workouts. All three quarterbacks could be available at the 23rd pick. Unless of course there isn’t a run on quarterbacks in the middle of the first round.
3. Tight end will be another position of interest for the Patriots. We keep hearing Thaddeus Moss‘s name because his father, the great Randy Moss played for the Patriots but the reality is, the Patriots need more than one tight end. The tight end class in this draft is average but there is some talent at the position. Could the Patriots take a page out of the Baltimore Ravens draft book and select two tight ends in this draft? We shall see.
4. Offensive line will be another area the Patriots will focus on this year’s combine. Re-signing free agent left guard Joe Thuney will be tough. He will have several teams bidding for his services and because of his production and versatility, could very well become the highest paid guard in the league.
5. With Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts and Jaime Collins all free agents, the Patriots defensive staff will be taking a closer look at the inside and outside linebacker positions at the combine.
Linebacker is the one position Bill Belichick values versatility at. Patrick Queen of LSU (OLB), Anfernee Jennings of Alabama (OLB) and Kenneth Murray from Oklahoma (OLB) are all first round possibilities. The Patriots could also address the position in day two. Azur Kamara of Kansas, Michael Divinity of LSU and Josh Uche of Michigan are possible targets.
6. With Devin McCourty a free agent, safety will also be a position the Patriots pay close attention to at this combine. Alabama’s Xavier McKinney and LSU’s Grant Delpit could be in play with pick 23 in the first round.
7. Finding a pass rusher will be a focal point for the Patriots again this off season. There are several EDGE rushers at this combine that the Patriots will evaluate. Expect them to address this area in free agency as well.
8. Wide receiver is a position the Patriots will address this off-season. They have to if they want to have any chance of convincing Tom Brady to come back. Luckily for them, this is the most talented receiving class since 2014. There will be quality talent well into day three.
9. Bill Belichick working out a player at Middle Tennessee State somehow is a story. Belichick is catching a lot of flack around here because instead of being at the combine or negotiating a new contract for Tom Brady, he is at a workout. Give me a break. Total non story. People need to move on.
10. The Patriots will be active when free agency opens in three weeks but I don’t expect a shipping spree. The Patriots could sign one marquee free agent but most of the roster will upgraded through middle tier free agency and the draft.