The Patriots are using a seven-game successful streak heading into “Thursday Evening Soccer” in opposition to the Jets.
Let’s reply your questions on this week’s mailbag.
@nepatriots561: Ought to TreVeyon be above Stevenson on the depth chart shifting ahead? Will he?
Patriots followers and fantasy soccer managers are going to utterly despise me for this, however no. I feel Rhamondre Stevenson ought to regain his beginning function when he returns from his toe injury.
I do consider TreVeyon Henderson has proven that he deserves a much bigger function than he had within the first eight weeks of the season, however outdoors of the explosive performs, the Patriots have actually struggled to run the ball between the tackles within the two video games Stevenson has been out. On non-explosive performs, the Patriots averaged less than a yard on 16 carries in opposition to the Buccaneers.
The Patriots nonetheless want Stevenson’s energy and blitz pickup, and Henderson might be greatest utilized as extra of a change-of-pace again till he improves in cross safety and between-the-tackles operating.
@jonothorpejazz: This season has been unbelievable, however I nonetheless don’t really feel nice about matchups in opposition to the Payments/Chiefs/Ravens within the playoffs, how do you are feeling about it? I simply don’t need to get cocky or overly optimistic this early in a brand new regime
I feel that’s honest, and I additionally assume it’s superb to assume that method.
Patriots followers ought to get pleasure from this season for what it already is. Their success has been a shock, and I’m nonetheless not fascinated about a Tremendous Bowl run proper now. It feels too early.
If the Patriots truly beat groups just like the Payments, Chiefs and Ravens within the playoffs, that’s nice, however I don’t assume it needs to be anticipated. Lacking the playoffs at this level can be a large disappointment, however anything is gravy.
@DanaKChilds: Apart from Maye’s huge second yr leap, what has been the largest shock to you that’s fueled the turnaround?
That’s powerful between the success of the offensive line and the efficiency of the large receiver corps.
I suppose I might say the offensive line has been a much bigger shock. Maye has been sacked so much, however solely a fraction of these have been the offensive line’s fault. Will Campbell and Garrett Bradbuy have exceeded expectations up to now.
@BillKn0wsBest: Borregales a man you may belief?
He has been since Week 2.
@BOSunofficialGM: What do you assume the priorities are for the Pats of their subsequent draft? Ought to they even care about place (to an extent) or simply draft greatest accessible? Positionally, my precedence listing can be: 1. OL 2. Edge 3. ILB 4. TE 5. CB 6. WR
Drafting as late as they are going to be within the first spherical, drafting the most effective accessible participant whereas weighing some positions is the most effective technique.
The Patriots nonetheless want extra youth/depth at large receiver, tight finish, middle, proper sort out, edge, linebacker and cornerback. If I have been to rank these positions, I might go edge, offensive line, large receiver, cornerback, tight finish and linebacker, given the age and contract conditions of present gamers on the roster.
@tsk123: The 2024 draft class is by the numbers probably one of many worst ever by any staff, with all however two gamers having been lower in a bit of over one season. So would you fairly maintain the category as is or redraft fully selecting not one of the similar gamers? Clearly, no Drake.
I might 100% maintain the category as is that if meaning Drake Maye is on the roster.
It’s sort of humorous, as a result of the Patriots’ 2000 draft class was additionally fairly horrible outdoors of Tom Brady. Perhaps that’s the important thing to hitting on a franchise QB.
@jpas351: The Pats had a extremely excessive hit fee on their decrease greenback free brokers (Tonga, Chaisson, and many others). How sustainable is that yr over yr?
I might say not very sustainable, however it speaks to the Patriots’ professional scouting to have the ability to establish these gamers, signal them to lower-cost contracts and get extra out of them than anticipated.
Right here’s what head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned about signing Chaisson on Tuesday:
“Smitty [outside linebackers coach Mike Smith] got here again together with his assessment, I sort of got here again with mine and I used to be like, “Alright, he performs exhausting, he’s received some pace and it appears to be like like he tries to complete.” And that’s what jumped off the display screen, was the trouble and the pace.”
Let’s see if they will have comparable success subsequent offseason.
@Jsalerno1961: When do you assume they lose once more?
Clearly, there might be a lure recreation someplace right here within the subsequent three weeks in opposition to the Jets, Bengals and Giants, however the Patriots even have been superb at avoiding these over their seven-game successful streak.
The following actual potential loss on the schedule is after the bye in Week 15 in opposition to the Payments. The Patriots have a troublesome two-week stretch there in opposition to the Payments and Ravens.
@genenowak: Why isn’t Chism getting snaps as WR? He seemed nice in preseason.
The remainder of the large receiver corps is enjoying too properly. Who’re you taking snaps away from?
Mack Hollins has led the staff in receiving in two of the final three weeks. DeMario Douglas led the staff in receiving in Week 9. Stefon Diggs is their greatest large receiver. Kyle Williams made an enormous play in opposition to the Buccaneers. And when wholesome, Kayshon Boutte is without doubt one of the NFL’s greatest deep threats.
So, Chism stays on the bench for now.
@BrayallPatrick: Bradbury has a hip harm, would their run offense profit from Brown beginning?
So long as everybody can go well with up, I’m not messing with the offensive line proper now. Bradbury hasn’t been good at middle. He struggled at occasions in Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers in opposition to defensive sort out Vita Vea, however as a complete Bradbury has performed significantly better than anybody anticipated this season, and he has a robust rapport with Drake Maye.
