The Patriots got very little out of their top two picks last year (Easley and Garoppolo) and guys like Fleming, White, and Moore made only modest contributions - and this isn't at all unusual. The draft is frequently about the year after. With that in mind, here's who is under contract for 2016 by position group.
QB: Brady, Garoppolo
All set there.
RB: Bolden, Cadet, White, Tyler Gaffney
This is a pretty weak group. I think pretty much everyone expects a RB at some point in the draft, and it wouldn't surprise me if it's sooner rather than later. Re-sigining Blount and / or Gray is also an option.
C: Stork
Starter is set but could probably use a backup at some point (maybe re-signing Wendell).
G: None
Cannon or Fleming could shift over, Wendell or Josh Kline could re-sign ... but yeah, that's not a solid depth chart.
T: Vollmer, Cannon, Fleming
Most likely they re-sign Solder, but this is certainly an option as there's no obvious LT candidate here.
WR: Edelman, LaFell, Dobson, Slater, Amendola (cuttable)
Probably could use a third wideout, unless they think Amendola or Dobson will bounce back.
TE: Gronkowski, Chandler
Re-signing Hoomanawanui or Wright seems possible, but could add here.
DL: Branch, Easley, Chris Jones
They could re-sign Siliga but still could probably use a war daddy type.
Edge: Chandler Jones (fifth-year option), Ninkovich, Sheard, Bequette, Moore, Buchanan
The strongest group on the team other than QB.
LB: Hightower (fifth-year option), Collins, Mayo (cuttable), a couple guys named Eric Martin and Cameron Gordon
Could use depth here.
CB: Ryan, Butler, Arrington (cuttable)
Yikes. Other than G, probably in the worst shape (and I like these guys more than most).
S: McCourty, Chung, Harmon
In decent shape. Seems likely they re-sign Ebner and / or Wilson for STs.
Specialists: None
Seems likely they work out an extension with Allen and maybe Gost, but they could certainly look to the draft (or priority FA process) for a K and LS.
I'd rank the position groups in terms of most bleak to least as: (need starters) G, ST, CB, T, RB, DL (could use depth) WR, LB, C, TE, S (fine as-is) Edge, QB. Of course, they could fill many of these holes through re-signing current players or the FA market.
QB: Brady, Garoppolo
All set there.
RB: Bolden, Cadet, White, Tyler Gaffney
This is a pretty weak group. I think pretty much everyone expects a RB at some point in the draft, and it wouldn't surprise me if it's sooner rather than later. Re-sigining Blount and / or Gray is also an option.
C: Stork
Starter is set but could probably use a backup at some point (maybe re-signing Wendell).
G: None
Cannon or Fleming could shift over, Wendell or Josh Kline could re-sign ... but yeah, that's not a solid depth chart.
T: Vollmer, Cannon, Fleming
Most likely they re-sign Solder, but this is certainly an option as there's no obvious LT candidate here.
WR: Edelman, LaFell, Dobson, Slater, Amendola (cuttable)
Probably could use a third wideout, unless they think Amendola or Dobson will bounce back.
TE: Gronkowski, Chandler
Re-signing Hoomanawanui or Wright seems possible, but could add here.
DL: Branch, Easley, Chris Jones
They could re-sign Siliga but still could probably use a war daddy type.
Edge: Chandler Jones (fifth-year option), Ninkovich, Sheard, Bequette, Moore, Buchanan
The strongest group on the team other than QB.
LB: Hightower (fifth-year option), Collins, Mayo (cuttable), a couple guys named Eric Martin and Cameron Gordon
Could use depth here.
CB: Ryan, Butler, Arrington (cuttable)
Yikes. Other than G, probably in the worst shape (and I like these guys more than most).
S: McCourty, Chung, Harmon
In decent shape. Seems likely they re-sign Ebner and / or Wilson for STs.
Specialists: None
Seems likely they work out an extension with Allen and maybe Gost, but they could certainly look to the draft (or priority FA process) for a K and LS.
I'd rank the position groups in terms of most bleak to least as: (need starters) G, ST, CB, T, RB, DL (could use depth) WR, LB, C, TE, S (fine as-is) Edge, QB. Of course, they could fill many of these holes through re-signing current players or the FA market.
