NFL Offseason 2019: Ranking the 5 most improved AFC teams
By Lucas Schuh
4. New England Patriots
Man, this just isn’t fair anymore. It feels like every year the New England Patriots are in the Super Bowl, but with key players like Rob Gronkowski and Trey Flowers leaving, it would seem like the Patriots would finally be on the downslide. But after an offseason like this, it seems as if the Patriots rebuilt themselves once again.
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The Patriots, as per usual, did not make any big splashes in free agency, but they made some very useful and smart pickups, particularly with solid moves at wide receiver. New England picked up solid veteran Demaryius Thomas while also landing Phillip Dorsett. Dorsett has had a bit of a rough career but it is possible the Patriots find some use for him. They also acquired Michael Bennett in a trade with the Eagles to bolster the defense.
The draft is really where the Patriots really crushed it. With the Patriots’ first pick, they took N’Keal Harry. Harry perfectly fits the Patriots role of a big physical receiver who can go up and get contested catches. In the second round, New England took a Joejuan Williams. Williams was a very underrated physically gifted cornerback out of Vanderbilt.
The Patriots also took edge rusher Chase Winovich in the third round. Winovich starred at Michigan and was arguably the best pass rusher from the Wolverines in the 2019 draft class. Bill Belichick rounded out an already good draft by taking two solid offensive linemen, Yodny Cajuste and Hjalte Frodholt.
It feels like every year the Patriots find players who fit into their system so well and flourish — and it seems like this year could be another case of that. The Patriots rebuilt their team wonderfully on paper and another deep playoff run seems well within the cards.