New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo. Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Underdog report: 2024 New England Patriots

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 2/12/24

The once proud New England Patriots finished last in the AFC East for the first time since 2000. Here’s how they get back on top in 2024.

Biggest need: Quarterback

Mac Jones is no Tom Brady. Unfortunately, he’s no Drew Bledsoe, Matt Cassel or Jimmy Garoppolo either. Among quarterbacks with at least 10 games played, only teammate Bailey Zappe (68.8) and Carolina’s Bryce Young (73.7) had a worse quarterback rating than Jones (77.0) in 2023.

Free agent target: OT Jonah Williams

With New England almost certainly drafting a quarterback with the third-overall pick and Jones still under contract, the team can afford to address other concerns in free agency with $69M in cap space for 2024 .

Williams wasn’t happy about giving up his left tackle spot to Orlando Brown Jr. last season, but had no problem adjusting to the right side. With starting tackles Trent Brown and Mike Onwenu now free agents, a player with Williams’ versatility is just what the Patriots need up front.

Draft Target: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

Holding the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it appears the Patriots can sit tight and walk away with this year’s Heisman Trophy winner. Daniels completed 236 passes for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns for the Tigers last season while adding another 1,134 yards and 10 scores on the ground.

Jayden Daniels put up EIGHT touchdowns against Georgia State

(via @LSUfootball) pic.twitter.com/NJdfmNWnm6
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 19, 2023

Reason for optimism: A fresh start

Jerod Mayo may have learned the ropes under former head coach Bill Belichick, but the team’s new head coach should be a breath of fresh air for a franchise that seemed unsure what to do about Belichick in recent years. With fresh ideas, a new quarterback (probably) and the third-most cap space in the league, New England has plenty of reasons to feel good about the future.

Reason for concern: Still no GM

The Patriots haven’t had a bone fide general manager since Belichick came to town, and the team has no plans to hire one in 2024. Matt Groh still remains as director of player personnel and Eliot Wolf will resume his position as director of scouting.

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