Hole-y Patriots! Glaring Roster Gaps Remain on Offense

Sports Illustrated identifies the New England Patriots' three post-draft roster holes ... all on offense.

After a bizarre, almost unprecedented draft in which they selected both a kicker and a punter, the New England Patriots are seemingly set in the kicking game. And with projected star cornerback Christian Gonzalez and second-round pick Keion White added to a unit that in 2022 produced the NFL's third-most sacks, they also feel good about their defense.

But ... 

There remain glaring holes in the roster - especially on offense - as the team embarks on offseason activities ramping toward minicamp and training camp. Come July, the Pats will practice with both the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers. Before then, they still need to address who will fill key positions.

With Bill Belichick's endorsement of Mac Jones and the recent signing of veteran Trace McSorley, feels like the Pats are comfortable at quarterback. But, as ESPN took issue with this week, who will those quarterbacks target?

Sports Illustrated analyzed the post-draft rosters of all 32 teams to look for holes. New England, unfortunately, had several. To no one's surprise, "the offense is a problem."

As for the Pats' "biggest needs", SI identified: Receiver, Offensive Tackle and Quarterback

Writes SI:

Patriots fans might not like the reality, but quarterback is absolutely one of the team’s biggest needs until proved otherwise. New England would be wise to bring in a veteran reserve such as Teddy Bridgewater, who can step in and help the offense score 20 points if Mac Jones struggles again. New England is also without a star receiver, despite the three-year deal handed out in free agency to Smith-Schuster. The Patriots are one of the better defensive teams in football, but the offense is a problem, including the tackle spots.

General consensus around the NFL is that Jones will rebound in his third season, simply by having Bill O'Brien in charge of the offense rather than Matt Patricia. But until proven otherwise, a receiving corps counting on JuJu Smith-Schuster to be a star and Tyquan Thornton to take a significant second-year leap remains a major question.

---

Follow Richie Whitt on Twitter

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.