![]() ![]() Out of the 14 receivers last season who averaged 15.4 yards per reception or more, Parker was 10th with just 3.4 yards after catch per reception. ![]() Parker was a big-play threat in 2022 and this summer, but most of those chunk gains came on down field contested catches, not long catch and runs. The Patriots are one injury away - and DeVante Parker is already limited in practice - from a rookie sixth-round pick seeing considerable snaps at wide receiver. He was falling down the depth chart even before his mid-August injury, but the point still stands that he’s the only true speed threat in the offense. Thornton, the Patriots’ 2022 second-round pick, will miss the first four weeks of the season on injured reserve. “They’re very thin at receiver, and I worry about how they’re gonna generate explosive plays through the air without (Tyquan) Thornton and his speed.” “I think they’ll be competitive but ultimately miss the playoffs,” an AFC analytics analyst said. He also had a tough stretch in the second half of his rookie season, so last year’s struggles weren’t a complete aberration. He was one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks under pressure last season, and his turnover-worthy play rate rose from 2021. Jones’ struggles last season seemed to go beyond coaching, a somewhat poor supporting cast and a high ankle sprain. That same talent evaluator said he believes Jones has physical limitations that no coach can hide and that teams figured the Alabama product out. ![]() “A lot of way more talented teams ahead of them, and their QB play is going to be an issue.” “Middle of the road,” an AFC assistant general manager said of his expectations of the Patriots. Still, there are people around the NFL who are skeptical of Jones’ ability. “Super, super high confidence with everything we did this offseason and finally to put it in an actual game and go out there and show the world what we can do.” “Oh, very confident,” wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said on Jones on Monday. Teammates have expressed the utmost belief in Jones this entire summer. Jones had no problem beating out backup quarterback Bailey Zappe this summer. The team’s success will be largely dependent on how well Jones can bounce back from his 2022 dropoff and jell with O’Brien. There are certainly some flawed teams in that mix, but the Patriots are not without their own blemishes. ![]() In order to make the playoffs, the Patriots will need to finish better than five of the 11 teams with higher projected win totals: the Chiefs, Bills, Jaguars, Ravens, Jets, Chargers, Dolphins, Browns, Steelers and Broncos. “I think they’ve got enough balance to sneak into the playoffs but I don’t see them making a real run at it,” an NFC scout said. White looked primed for a big role this summer, and Mapu is a bit of a mystery after spending most of training camp in a red non-contact jersey, but he might also be a starter in Week 1.īut the Patriots also will face the NFL’s toughest strength of schedule based on projected win totals from Vegas oddsmakers in 2023 with non-divisional matchup against the Eagles, Cowboys, Chiefs and Chargers. The team also added three intriguing defenders through the draft in cornerback Christian Gonzalez, defensive end Keion White and linebacker/safety Marte Mapu. But the Patriots believe that a free safety-by-committee approach using Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers and Jalen Mills (among others) will confuse quarterbacks. But they’re set to be better coached in 2023.ĭefensively, the only significant loss is retired free safety Devin McCourty, and it’s a big one by way of leadership, communication and range. Guards Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu were injured all summer, and it’s anyone’s guess who will be starting at right tackle in Week 1. The offense’s biggest weakness is still its offensive line. Plus, rookie wide receivers Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte look like potential impact players. O’Brien and offensive line coach Adrian Klemm have replaced Patricia and Judge, and Jones has a higher-upside arsenal of playmakers with JuJu Smith-Schuster replacing Jakobi Meyers, Mike Gesicki taking over for Jonnu Smith and Ezekiel Elliott in place of Damien Harris. (Staff Photo/Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)īetter than they performed in 2022. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster runs through a drill during a recent Patriots training camp practice in Foxboro. ![]()
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