My thinking at this point is we need to keep our top two picks in the draft but after that trading for available quality vets, providing availability, looks to me the best way to go. Am I wrong? – Steven Earle

I think what you're saying makes sense, obviously depending on who is available and what the cost would be. One of the silver linings of being in a rebuilding mode is the Patriots are in need of help at several positions – offensive line, wide receiver, edge rusher, cornerback, linebacker. That means the team can truly select the best player available regardless of position (other than quarterback) since pretty any of the top prospects would fill a need at some spot. If the powers that be don't feel the best tackle available when they pick is as good as the best player at another position, then they should opt for the other position. Same could be said of trading later round picks. If there are veterans available who could help and would be worth giving up Day 3 picks, then the Patriots should do it. They also need to look into veteran free agents for the same reasons: help is needed at a number of positions.

It seems coach and quarterback combo is the winning formula. Is there a success story with a rookie coach and rookie quarterback combo? If not, what are Patriots thinking? – LS

I don't feel many teams would prefer to link a rookie head coach with a rookie quarterback, but Houston did so last year and enjoyed success. The Texans hired DeMeco Ryans as coach and then drafted C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick. Nine months later, the Texans went 10-7, won the AFC South and then beat Cleveland in the wild card round before falling to Baltimore in the divisional round. So, having two rookies in those roles can work. Chuck Pagano and Andrew Luck enjoyed a run to the playoffs with the Colts back in 2012 also. But like I said, I feel most teams would prefer to have a more experienced coach working with a rookie quarterback, and vice versa. But that wasn't really an option for the Patriots as Jerod Mayo was tabbed to replace Bill Belichick and Drake Maye was the top draft choice. Maye has played well for the most part and the thinking is both will continue to grow into their roles in the future.

I saw a blurb the Pats wanted Layden Robinson to play left guard but he's always played right guard and has been unable to make the switch. The Patriots want to play Mike Onwenu, our best offensive lineman, at his best position, which is right guard. If Robinson can't play on the left we are left with Michael Jordan or someone else. What doesn't make much sense to me is guards are basically blocking in a phone booth, the side shouldn't matter. So please explain how Robinson is unable to make the switch from right to left but Eliot Wolf was convinced either/both Chuks Okafor and Caedan Wallace could switch from right tackle to left tackle, which is a completely different position and a huge change. – Badax Michaud

Robinson has played pretty much exclusively on the right side during his career, but offensive line coach Scott Peters said recently that he felt the rookie had the potential to play on either side and has worked on the left at times during practice. Peters said that backups need to learn both roles in case of injury, and Robinson is still working toward that goal. Then against the Colts we saw Robinson play on the left side, and although it wasn't perfect he was able to make the transition. It's true he played on the right side in college so there would be an adjustment necessary, but I don't feel it's out of the realm of possibility. That said, it's not always easy for linemen to switch sides. It's basically trying to learn everything backward, from footwork to hand placement, and that isn't any easier inside at guard than it is outside at tackle. Robinson is still a rookie and the coaches are trying to figure out where he might best fit, but let's not rule out any potential position versatility 13 games into his career.

Thanks for a great podcast. Why does Drake Maye never sneak from short yardage? Can remember a number of times when it is third-and-1 or 2 but no sneaks, only running from the running backs or throwing. Is it difficult for a rookie (to sneak) or is it to protect Drake? – Tomas Lindahl

We were actually talking about this during the Colts game as there were a couple of short-yardage situations that came up, one that saw Jacoby Brissett come in and take the snap from under center and hand off to Kendrick Bourne to convert. I know Maye hasn't taken many snaps from under center and didn't have a lot of experience doing so in college at North Carolina so I'm not sure if that has something to do with not calling any quarterback sneaks. Maybe it's something they will work on down the road. I will say it's a skill that needs to be incorporated into the offense because teams need to be able to execute sneaks periodically during the season and having the quarterback in the shotgun in short yardage all the time is not a great way to go.

Why can't they develop a quarterback sneak or variation of that with the QB under center on short yardage third and fourth downs? Starting way back seems to lead to a lot of lost yardage results. – Tim Whiting

Continuing here with the previous post … the Patriots have used some traditional quarterback sneaks this season but in fairness I don't remember Drake Maye executing any thus far. Those came when Jacoby Brissett was still the starter. Maye operates mostly out of the shotgun, but he has taken plenty of snaps from under center so there's no reason to believe he couldn't execute a sneak. My guess is the coaches don't want to subject him to many unnecessary hits, but at the same time I can understand your frustration when the offense gets stuffed on short yardage after running a play out of shotgun. This is something I would expect the coaches to implement with Maye down the road because sneaks are the most effective way to move the chains in those situations.

It seems to be that the league is filled with coaches from the Shanahan tree. These coaches have all got a very good offense that can score quickly and almost at will. Should we hire one of these offensive coaches who will be able to develop Drake Maye next season into an elite quarterback. Or should we hire Josh McDaniels and stick to the our long developed style of offense? I don't rate Van Pelt. Clearly if you keep running the ball on the goal line and keep getting stuffed and settling for FGs is not the answer moving forward for next season. – Mo Ijaz

I would stick with Van Pelt because I believe he's done a great job developing Maye and he should get a lot of credit for that. Maye is just 22 years old, and many draft experts felt he would need some time to develop in the NFL and would be best served not playing at all in his first year and some felt he should sit two years. Maye sat the first five games and has played pretty well since entering the starting lineup, so Van Pelt needs to get credit for that. I don't think the Patriots have run the ball too often near the goal line, as you suggested. I don't remember all of these times when they got stuffed on the goal line that led to field goals. In fact, I remember Rhamondre Stevenson getting into the end zone to win the Jets game in such a situation. And Antonio Gibson ran it in from the 11 against the Colts in the last game. Van Pelt has not been perfect but he has adapted to his personnel well and he's nurtured Maye effectively over the last two months.

I just looked at the offensive line depth chart and there is no depth at guard, how can that be? Give us your take on the offensive line, and what might be available both in the draft and free agency? – Vic Platania

If we're being entirely honest, depth is the least of the concerns on the offensive line. Right now, the Patriots don't have enough starting caliber players beyond Mike Onwenu. There isn't a single player on the roster with any significant experience at left tackle, let alone anyone providing depth behind Vederian Lowe. The Patriots will need to look at free agency (maybe a tackle like Garrett Bolles) and the draft to find some quality players to compete for starting jobs. Rookies Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson also should be in the mix. There's a lot of work to be done up front.

The top 25 rookie receiving yards leaders 2024 include three Giants and three Panthers, teams struggling as much as the Patriots. Adding the history with Tyquan Thornton and N'Keal Harry, as well as JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mike Gesicki, Jonnu Smith and Nelson Agholor there could be a flaw in the draft and develop strategy as scouting and coaching of receivers seems underwhelming. The cap space and picks risk being wasted unless the issue is rectified, especially the flaws in scouting and talent evaluation. What actions has the organization taken the past few years to fix this? – Sven

The most obvious change is Bill Belichick is no longer here making the final decisions when it comes to the draft and free agency. Eliot Wolf and Matt Groh have both been here under Belichick but now they are in charge so let's see how the drafts go under their watch. The early returns in their first draft class are not good but that doesn't mean Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker can't be quality players. Just because the Patriots have struggled to find receivers in the past doesn't mean that will continue to be the case in the future. Keep looking for talented players and find a way to develop them.

We have now reached the Thanksgiving stage of this season. With all the stats available now, and having seen the top three draft picks of this year in all the games they have played, and taking into account the lack of talent at Maye's disposal, and also the plateauing of Daniels' game, is it possible to start predicting that Maye will end up as the best QB of this class? – Nader Vaez

Of course that's a possibility. These guys haven't even played a full season yet. At this stage of the season, I'd say Daniels has performed better than the rest of the rookies with Bo Nix, Maye and Caleb Williams all right there as well. All four have played well at times and have shown tremendous individual skills. Nix and Daniels have been able to win games while Maye and Williams have not. But it's only been 13 games so there's a long way to go before we figure out which of these four rookies will wind up being the best. It certainly could be Maye, but I'd say all four have looked the part.

It seems that this team is at least two solid offseasons away from contending from a personnel standpoint. I personally believe that we need to build the trenches out. I know free agency is difficult, but my top priority might just be Cam Robinson at left tackle. He is going to be 30, so a three-year deal with a fourth as a void year would be my target. It ensures we don't have to force fit the first-round pick and allows us to get an upside left tackle in the mid rounds. If not him, Garrett Bolles would be another option. I would target DK Metcalf for our X position if we can't get Tetairoa McMillan in the draft. Tee Higgins just doesn't play enough in my mind. I believe that Ja'Lynn Polk will be a fine third wideout that is just having lots of growing pains. We need a true 1 and 2. Then I would try and build a dominate defensive line like the Eagles have. Stabilizing the lines is a must and adding an impact WR. If we can make progress this offseason we are in a much better position to add in the future. – Stephen Cue

I'd be on board with either of your free agent options at left tackle. Robinson and Bolles would certainly be upgrades over what the Patriots currently have, although I'd rather get some youth in to build and grow with Maye so the offense can potentially establish some continuity for the future. Robinson really struggled in Jacksonville before the Vikings traded for him after losing Christian Darrisaw to injury. That said, if the Patriots don't love the options at tackle in the first round, then exploring these kinds of players in free agency makes sense. If Eliot Wolf believes a wide receiver like McMillan is better than say, Kelvin Banks at tackle, then he should take the receiver. As for free agent wideouts, I like Higgins considerably more than Metcalf. Metcalf has indeed been more durable but I feel like his career is starting to decline while Higgins remains productive when healthy. Higgins is also a free agent while Metcalf is under contract in Seattle through 2025. It's possible that Seattle lets him go, or would be willing to deal him, but all you need is money to sign Higgins. Even this season while missing five games Higgins' numbers are quite comparable to Metcalf's and he's only missed two games. Either way, though, the need for upgrades at wide receiver is apparent so whether it's Higgins or Metcalf the Patriots still need more.

Given the current situation and we're in the last third of the season ... besides Drake Maye and the tight ends, who are the positives on the current roster? – Andreas Konieczny

After Maye I'd start with Christian Gonzalez, who is a solid cover corner and a building block in the secondary. I'd also add Christian Barmore's recent return from problems with blood clots as a huge positive on the roster. Marcus Jones is showing he can be effective as a slot corner, plus he's among the most dynamic punt returners in the league. Offensively, the positives have been harder to come by beyond the tight ends that you mentioned. Rhamondre Stevenson is a solid, workmanlike back when given some semblance of blocking. DeMario Douglas can be a complementary part of the good team's passing game, but clearly the need for top-level receivers still exists. Mike Onwenu is more than capable of starting at guard for many teams as well. Your point is taken, however. The Patriots need to upgrade the roster.

I loved Jerod Mayo as a player, but I don't think he's cut out to be an NFL head coach at his point in his career. Do you see any chance that Kraft admits he made a mistake and makes a change? Any chance we seeMike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels back in New England next season? – Richard Thomson

I don't see it as a mistake at this point, so I don't really see the need to explore replacements at this time. Mayo is a first-year coach working with a very limited roster that won only four games last year when the Patriots had the greatest coach of all time. So, expecting things to look significantly better with virtually the same cast of characters is asking a lot. Also, if Robert Kraft did decide he needed to move on, I would not be interested in bringing in more people from Bill Belichick's past. If Belichick gets a job elsewhere this offseason, I'd expect McDaniels to go with him as offensive coordinator anyway. Either way, breaking away from the past makes more sense.

The big needs are tackle and wide receiver, but this draft might not shake out that way for the Patriots. Depending on where they fall in the draft, anywhere from 1 to 6 is probably right, they should look to get more draft picks and not reach for someone. There is no clear-*cut top tackle worthy of being taken in the Pats range. I know most fans will be upset if they don't go tackle or receiver, but I think it makes sense to take a best player available approach with the first pick since there are so many needs and not that many blue-chippers. If they get a 1-3 pick, I'd like to see the Pats trade down.* – Troy Osgood

Trading down would make some sense if in fact the Patriots didn't like the options available at their spot. But it would be hard for me to imagine there aren't any players worthy of being selected in the top three. One advantage the Patriots have is they can take the best player, regardless of position, because they have many needs. Obviously excluding quarterback after taking Drake Maye, any other spot would make some sense. So, if it's a tackle or a wide out or an edge rusher … any of them would work provided the team felt those players were worthy of that draft slot. I've seen some mock drafts that have Texas tackle Kelvin Banks going in the top five, so clearly not everyone agrees the tackles aren't worthy of consideration. But if that ultimately becomes reality, then just move on to a position where you feel the value is worth it. There's a lot of time between now and the draft and these players will fluctuate greatly between now and then. Let's see how the board starts to stack up before we start eliminating positions.

I feel Bruce Armstrong was one of the best left tackles the Patriots ever had. Do you think there may be that type of left tackle in the 2025 draft that the Pats should draft? – Frank Dilisio

I agree with you about Armstrong … in fact I'd say he was the best left tackle the team has ever had, or at least right up there with Leon Gray. He was quite athletic for the position as a former tight end, and Armstrong locked down his side of the line for many years. I'd say from an athletic profile standpoint, there are some similarities with Texas' Kelvin Banks. I have no idea where he'll eventually be selected but some mock drafts have Banks in the top five. Some others were scared off by his subpar performance in the Georgia game earlier in the season. It's a little early to make these calls but I like Banks as a potential fit for the Patriots, but as I've said earlier if there's a player at another position the team feels is more talented then that's the direction they should go.

Why are all the broadcasters, sports reporters and radio hosts always dumping on Jerod Mayo and his staff? Everybody knew that this was going to be a tough rebuilding season. I think I know what Jerod and his staff are doing ... they are seeing who can play tough during every game win or lose. Those who don't perform, follow instructions and remain positive will not be playing here next year. I like that attitude because in three years they will have a powerhouse that the other teams will not want to play. I am enjoying their games because the coaches are not afraid to put players in different schemes to see if they can adjust and perform at a high level for the future. I believe in the coaches and front office so give them a chance and let's see what they can do. – Carl Wallin

A very positive outlook for the future … and a welcome one in what has been a tough season to sit through. Hopefully you are correct.

My question is about wide receivers playing out of position. Biggest one I'm concerned about is Kayshon Boutte. I know part of him being the primary X receiver is due to lack of a true X receiver. Maybe Javon Baker will end up being a good X receiver once he learns the playbook better and gets more experience. However, my thinking is Boutte is better suited to Z receiver than X. DeMario Douglas is the man in the slot. He's great there but small, so I'm hoping his body holds up. Do you think Boutte is better suited for a Z role rather than X? Or is he being played as the primary X due to lack of a true option at X. – Leif Santana-Perez

I think there's probably a lot of truth about what you say. Boutte is likely more suited to play inside rather than on the sideline, and he's likely there because he's the best option currently available. But if I'm being completely honest, I'm not as much concerned about where the receivers line up as much as I am with their ability to create separation, get open and catch the ball. None of the current crop has done that nearly often enough this season. So, moving Boutte to the Z or even the Y might make him more comfortable, but it won't make a difference unless he can run crisp routes, get open and catch the ball more consistently than he has. I believe the Patriots need to add at least two quality receivers to put at the top of the depth chart and create attention from opposing secondaries. Then it's possible that players like Boutte and Douglas can have larger impacts on the offense. But I do understand your point about Boutte playing too much on the outside.

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer