A new quarterback is desperately needed by the Patriots.
New England should pick one of the several quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class with the third overall choice in the NFL draft rather than overanalyzing other needs they need to address.
To help ease the load during the draft on Thursday night, the Patriots might concentrate on three important positions: wide receiver, edge rusher, and offensive lineman.
The top candidates for those roles are as follows:
HUNTER RENFROW, WR In an offence that also had Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, Renfrow’s stats from the previous season were significantly lower: 25 receptions, 255 yards, an average of 10.2 yards per grab, and two touchdowns. However, he was only targeted 37 times.
In 2021, the 28-year-old had a Pro Bowl season with 103 receptions for 1,038 receiving yards. Although Renfrow isn’t the Patriots’ top choice, he might provide new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt with a creative option as a third or fourth option behind DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne, depending on which quarterback is under centre.
Edge Shaq Lawson
Lawson just finished a one-year, $1,317,500 deal with the Buffalo Bills, where he played in 15 games and recorded one sack and 13 tackles.
The Clemson graduate has accumulated 26 sacks, 207 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 77 quarterback hits, and seven forced fumbles in eight seasons. While his stats might not be very impressive, he has the ability to subtly outperform Josh Uche or Matthew Judon.
DONOVAN SMITH, ATTACK WITH OFFENCE
Regardless of the quarterback that suits up for New England this season, the two-time Super Bowl winner would offer more protection on the left side.
Chukwuma Okorafor is Eliot Wolf’s preferred starting left tackle for the Patriots, but Smith shielded Tom Brady along the way to Super Bowl LV and Patrick Mahomes during last season’s title run.
Smith is coming off a one-year, $3 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, his championship pedigree might be a welcome addition to a Patriots roster that is trying to rebuild.
