Patriots 2022 Report Card: Any Passing Grades?
As the NFL universe sets its sights on Glendale, Arizona and Super Bowl LVII, the New England Patriots continue to search for ways to improve upon a disappointing showing in 2022.
Despite sporting a 6-4 record through the first 10 games, New England dropped five of its last seven games and ending its campaign 8-9. In failing to qualify for the postseason, the team has now missed the postseason in two of its past the three years, and for just the fourth time in 23 seasons during Bill Belichick’s coaching tenure.
While the Pats have already begun the process of reconstructing their fractured coaching staff — especially on offense — the team is also taking an intricate look at their performance at each position, in hopes of devising an effective offseason strategy.
In that vein, here is Patriots Country’s final look at the 2022 New England Patriots.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Despite entering the season on the heels of an impressive rookie campaign, Mac Jones struggled to rekindle his previous success in 2022. He finished the season with 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. When pressured, he ranked in the bottom 10 of NFL quarterbacks in terms of completion percentage and positive plays. However, the Alabama product made adequate improvements in the latter part of the season to solidify his status as the team’s starter for the remainder of the campaign. The second-year Alabama product missed Weeks 4-6 with a high-ankle sprain, giving rookie Bailey Zappe the starting job in each of those contests. During Jones’ absence, Zappe performed well, completing 65 of 92 passes for 781 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Grade: C
OFFENSIVE LINE
New England’s offensive line was the team’s most maligned unit throughout the season, struggling to maintain continuity and competence. Right tackle Isaiah Wynn missed eight games while dealing with a foot injury, leaving both Yodny Cajuste and midseason acquisition Conor McDermott to carry the load at right tackle. Trent Brown committed a total of nine penalties, contributing to the team’s struggles on the line’s ends. Rookie Cole Strange experienced some growing pains, yet performed well alongside center and team captain David Andrews. Michael Onwenu was the line’s best and most consistent contributor at right guard, allowing only one sack while taking 99 percent of the teams offensive snaps.
Grade: C-
TIGHT ENDS
While many expected the Patriots to heavily incorporate two tight-end sets into their offense in 2022, they ultimately failed to do so. In fact, Henry and Smith spent only 18 percent of their snaps on the field together. Henry established himself as the more statistically productive of the pair, finishing with 41 catches for 509 yards and two touchdowns. Smith was periodically phased into the passing game, while being used primarily as a blocker. He logged only 245 yards on 27 catches, yet flashed his ability to extend plays in averaging 9.1 yards per catch.
Grade: C
WIDE RECEIVERS
New England’s wide receivers were among the most maligned positional groupings on the team. However, the unit performed well enough to provide hope at the position heading into 2023. Jakobi Meyers led all receivers in yards with 804 and six touchdowns, further establishing himself as the team’s top pass-catching option. Parker, in his first season with New England, caught 47 passes, three of which went for scores. Thornton has the ability to be a vertical threat, and should improve in his second year with the team. Despite being underutilized in the Patricia-led regime, Kendrick Bourne proved himself useful by compiling 162 yards on 12 catches and one touchdown in the month of December.
Grade: C
RUNNING BACKS
With incumbent starter Damien Harris’ injuries keeping him sidelined for six of their 17 games, Stevenson emerged as New England’s feature back. The second-year running back amassed 1,040 yards with five touchdowns, while averaging five yards per carry in the lead role. He also caught 69 passes for 421 yards and one touchdown as a backfield receiver. Harris, meanwhile, saw a statistical dip, gaining 462 yards with three touchdowns. Rookies Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris saw minimal time through the season. Yet, each flashed promise in their respective reserve roles, earning one rushing touchdown, respectively.
Grade: B
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Though the Patriots front seven failed to live up to its lofty expectations in 2022, the unit improved, especially in defending the run. Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux and Lawrence Guy, the Patriots defensive line should have a bit of a new look when it comes to rotational depth pieces. Wise emerged as a key contributor on the pass rush, setting career highs in both tackles (59) and sacks with 7.5. Carl Davis and Daniel Ekuale provided solid depth in defending the run, as well as the pass rush.
Grade: B
LINEBACKERS
Matthew Judon once again supplied the athleticism and aggression to the Patriots pass rush in 2021. New England’s lone Pro Bowl selection led the team with 15.5 sacks. With the emergence of Josh Uche (11.5 sacks) as a potent weapon in their pass rush, as well as the run stoppage of both Jahlani Tavai and Ja’Whaun Bentley, the Pats were well-equipped at the position. Anfernee Jennings, who is entering his third season as a depth option at weakside linebacker, was impressive in limited action. Newcomer, and impending free agent Mack Wilson flashed some signs sideline-to-sideline athleticism. However, his inability to truly assimilate into the Pats defensive system saw him relegated to mostly special teams coverage duty by season’s end.
Grade: B+
CORNERBACKS
New England’s secondary had to endure a number of injuries to key players throughout the year, especially at cornerback. With Jalen Mills having missed seven games due to a groin injury, Jonathan Jones inherited the duties as the team’s top perimeter corner. The former slot specialist tied for the team lead in interceptions (alongside safety Devin McCourty) with four. Rookie cornerbacks Jack Jones and Marcus Jones showed enough prowess to indicate a bright future at the position, each grabbing a pair of interceptions respectively. Myles Bryant played in all 17 games, taking 61 percent of the Pats defensive snaps, primarily out of the slot.
Grade: C+
SAFETIES
Kyle Dugger was New England’s standout at safety, earning two interception returns and one fumble recovery going for touchdowns. However, McCourty proved that there is still a great deal left in the tank at free safety. The Pats captain finished the campaign with 71 total tackles, eight passes defensed, four interceptions (tied for the team lead) and one fumble recovery. Phillips once again served as the team’s hybrid linebacker/safety, while Peppers assumed the role of backfield enforcer. In spite of the occasional sputter, the Pats safeties were one of the strongest positional groups in 2022.
Grade: B+
SPECIAL TEAMS
Folk was once again one of the Patriots’ most reliable point-scorers, making 32 of 37 field goals on the season. However, the future of team captain Matthew Slater remains the unit’s biggest question. The 11-time team captain took 84 percent of their special teams snaps, earning 13 tackles. Should Slater opt for retirement, it would create a massive void on special teams, as well as in a leadership role in the locker room. Bailey finished the season on injured reserve, as did Cardona. Though officially listed as a defensive back, rookie Marcus Jones was among the league leaders in both kick and punt return categories in 2022, earning honors from the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers of America.
Grade: C-
FINAL ANALYSIS:
The Patriots 2022 campaign ultimately fell short of expectations.
Their offense, including Jones, displayed notable regression under the guidance of coaches Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. The Pats finished 7th-worst in total yards while scoring only 21.4 points per game (17th in the NFL). As such, both coaches have been reassigned
Still, New England’s defense was nearly enough to carry them to a playoff berth. The Pats preventive unit led the NFL with seven defensive touchdowns and produced 30 takeaways, second to only the Dallas Cowboys (33). The Patriots consistently ranked among the NFL's top 10 teams in total defense, total yards allowed, and yards yielded per offensive play.
While finishing below .500, along with failing to qualify for the postseason, may be viewed as a failure to many, New England controlled their own fate to clinch a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season. With a change in coaching philosophy, as well as some bright spots on which to build for improved performance, the Patriots should have an optimistic outlook as they head into 2023.
Overall Grade: C+
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots
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