With the 2021 NFL Draft over and the schedule officially being released, it’s time for my third annual 32 part series where the top three questions will be posed for each NFL team. Here are those three questions for the New England Patriots.
Be sure to check out all of Heller’s Three Burning Questions.
Is it Cam Newton‘s Job to Lose?
Newton took his lumps last year in New England. Many were surprised that the team re-signed the former MVP, after the team not only didn’t win the division that they owned for what seemed like forever, they didn’t even make the playoffs. Newton at least has a season in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense under his belt.
The Patriots used their first-round pick on Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. Head coach Bill Belichek has never been a fan of starting a rookie or inexperienced quarterback unless he has no choice, which will bode well for Newton. Last season proved that second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham was expected to be the starter after Tom Brady left for Tampa Bay, but they decided to sign Newton.
Barring an unforeseen injury, in all likelihood, Jones will watch and learn from the sidelines to start the season. But the second Newton struggles, the calls for Jones will begin to get louder and louder. Although, it would be interesting to see Jones make his debut at home in Week 4 in prime time when Brady and the defending Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers come to Foxborough.
Who will be the Biggest Offensive Addition?
The Patriots were busy in free agency, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They added wide receivers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, along with a pair of big-play tight ends in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. All four will help whichever quarterback is under center, but Smith will have the biggest impact.
Can the Defense Bounce Back into a Top-10 Unit?
Veteran linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who opted out last season over Covid-19 concerns, is back. Also back is fellow linebacker, Kyle Van Noy, from his one-year vacation in South Beach, with the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots signed former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Matt Judon in free agency. For a defense that has one of the top secondaries in the NFL, heading into the upcoming season, they may have one of the top three or four best linebacking corps as well. Opposing offenses beware.
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