New England Patriots: Positions of need for the 2021 NFL Draft
By Ian Higgins
After significant changes entering 2020, the New England Patriots will need to combat a slew of expiring contracts with their 2021 draft strategy.
After losing Tom Brady and a healthy portion of the defensive front-seven, Bill Belichick has managed to reconfigure his team’s offensive identity and build enough depth to stay competitive. Cam Newton has opened up the playbook and allowed Belichick to take a step into the modern age of offense after being held back by the physical limitations of Brady for two decades.
New England has hit on a number of their draft selections and undrafted signings in recent years, and many of those players will have their time to hit the open market come the end of the season. A list of the most noteworthy free agents for the 2021 offseason is listed below:
- Joe Thuney, G
- Jason McCourty, CB
- James White, RB
- Lawrence Guy, DT
- Adam Butler, DT
- David Andrews, C
- Rex Burkhead, RB
- John Simon, EDGE
- Cam Newton, QB
- Deatrich Wise, DL
- J.C. Jackson, CB
The most noteworthy of these players is left guard Joe Thuney. Paired with right guard Shaq Mason, New England has made one of the more impressive interior lines in football that aren’t just run-blocking maulers, but refined pass-protectors who can pull out to the opposite edge.
Thuney is also uniquely capable of playing across the line, even spending small amounts of time at tackle during his tenure in New England. After seeing Shaq Mason receive a lucrative contract extension, the New England Patriots have every reason to bring the staple interior lineman back.
Secondly, both utility running backs will be hitting their expiration date. White and Burkhead have both been molded into specialized roles in the New England offense, but anyone can be expendable in New England. Belichick likes to treat his running backs similarly to a pitching rotation in baseball, each player offers unique value and needs to serve a distinct purpose.
A collection of young players are currently vying for the workhorse title, White has cemented his place as the receiving-back, but Burkhead has only managed to contribute as a backup who can do some of everything but does not stand out in any one area.
The final crucial set of free agents appear in the ever-changing defensive front. The first of these defenders are interior linemen Adam Butler and Lawrence Guy, who have fulfilled the need for muscle on the inside in recent season.
The final two are pass-rushers Deatrich Wise and John Simon. Simon has done well to fill the role played by Kyle Van Noy last season, operating on the edge of the 3-4 front and playing effectively in all three phases of the defense (pass-rush, run defense, pass coverage). Wise has been a sparkplug for this New England defense, providing pressure off the edge as well as from the interior.
Some of these pieces may return on a discount to pursue championship (i.e. James White), but regardless Belichick will continue to take advantage of the mid-round selections hoarded from free-agency compensation.