Pressure On: New England Patriots Must Make Offseason Additions?
Is the pressure now on the New England Patriots to make moves as the NFL's legal tampering period will begin on Monday, March 13 at 9 a.m.?
The Miami Dolphins made a splash via the trading block, acquiring All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Los Angeles Rams. In return for landing the veteran cornerback, the Dolphins gave up a third-round pick and tight end, Hunter Long. It was a blockbuster move to replace the outgoing Byron Jones and further lock down the Dolphins' secondary.
Moving up the eastern seaboard, the New York Jets are reportedly closing in on a trade with the Green Bay Packers, in which they'd land future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Both teams are in contention, with New England fighting to catch up to the Buffalo Bills. But what have the Patriots done?
Nothing to this point, other than a few re-signings, that haven't patched any holes on the roster. In years past, the Patriots were the team in the AFC East, landing the top veteran cornerbacks.
Speculation suggested that New England may have had an interest in Ramsey, as top cornerback Jonathan Jones is hitting the free agent market, leaving them with veteran Jalen Mills and two second-year corners, Marcus Jones and Jack Jones.
Even with top wide-out Jakobi Meyers also testing the market, the Patriots have not added firepower to an offense that struggled in the second year of Mac Jones at quarterback.
With the Dolphins and Jets strengthening, this week is a big one in Foxboro. Free agency will officially begin on March 15th. The Patriots have big needs at receiver and offensive tackle. But if Jonathan Jones signs elsewhere, cornerback could also be a big need in a division where the defense has to face Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, and potentially Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson twice a year going forward.
If no moves are made, the Patriots risk falling further behind not only the Bills but also the Dolphins and Jets.
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