Roster Rankings: Why Are Patriots Near Bottom of NFL?

The New England Patriots' current roster didn't get any love from ESPN, with the harshest criticism reserved for quarterback Mac Jones.

The quarterback remains the headliner of the New England Patriots' roster ... but this time it's for all the wrong reasons. 

It's perhaps not too much of a surprise to see a developing New England roster rank 20th in a ranking of the 32 NFL rosters compiled by ESPN, as they continue to seek such clarity in the post-Tom Brady era. To their credit, the group was praised for being "at worst, passable in most areas."

However, ESPN had some harsh words for Mac Jones and the quarterback room as a whole, calling it the "weakest unit" in an NFL era that thrives on antics under center.

"Mac Jones was terrific as a rookie but regressed last season (which even led to a brief benching) and missed time with an injury," co-writer Mike Clay says. "By season's end, Jones's 36.1 QBR ranked 28th out of 31 quarterbacks (Bailey Zappe was worse at 34.5). 

"It wouldn't be a shock if 2022 proved a fluke due to the offense's lack of direction, so perhaps new playcaller Bill O'Brien will get Jones back on track."

Not all is gloomy for the Patriots, however: in contrast, the interior offensive is named the unit's most stable group while Seth Walder labels depth tackle Calvin Anderson a "nonstarter to know."

Center David Andrews' 97.5 percent pass block win rate last season trailed only Creed Humphrey for best at the position," Clay writes of the inside men. "Right guard Mike Onwenu was a stellar find in the sixth round in 2020, and the 25-year-old has settled in as one of the league's top guards."

Even the freshman struggles of second-year man Cole Strange are labeled as mere growing pains, as Clay calls him a "candidate for a second-year leap." 

New England is dealt some hard luck in ESPN's listing, which puts their three AFC East divisional brethren in the top 10. Buffalo and Miami respectively rank third and fourth behind the Super Bowl competitors from Kansas City and Philadelphia while the New York Jets round out the top 10.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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