2021 NFL Draft: Five first-round targets for the New England Patriots
By Ian Higgins
Entering potentially the most pivotal offseason of the century, the New England Patriots enter a rare period of rebuilding in which it will be determined whether Belichick and company can right the ship using the 2021 NFL Draft before losing out on a competitive window shouldered by their young defense.
Still searching for a true offensive identity, questions surrounding the quarterback position as well as the presence of a true number one wide receiver have placed a low ceiling on a well-coached unit. Compounded with the potential losses of running backs James White and Rex Burkhead, the New England Patriots could see a changing of the guard and a kickstart to a new offensive era post-Brady.
In what will be a frugal offseason due to a falling salary cap, the New England Patriots rank third with $66.5 million in cap space. Even if a healthy portion of this fiscal freedom is spent retaining current assets, New England will still be able to make a run at some of the major names of a free agency class short of suitors.
Entering the 2021 offseason, some important names seeing an end to their contract in New England include:
- Joe Thuney, G
- Jason McCourty, CB
- James White, HB
- Lawrence Guy, DT
- Adam Butler, DT
- David Andrews, C
- Rex Burkhead, HB
- John Simon, EDGE
- Cam Newton, QB
- Nick Folk, K
- Deatrich Wise, DL
- J.C. Jackson, CB
Included in this list are the likes of pass-rush sparkplug Deatrish Wise, interception leader J.C. Jackson, as well as two of New England’s three primary interior defensive linemen.
In order to resign some of these integral cogs as well as a free agent such as Allen Robinson, the New England Patriots need to find an instant impact player in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.