The 2024 NFL Season is rapidly approaching. The season kicks off on Thursday, September 5 and every day through Monday, September 2 we’ll be going team-by-team as we preview the new season. Be sure to come back here every afternoon as we look at a new team and get your ready for the 2024 season. We’ll cover off-season changes, the fantasy prospects, and the prediction for how the team will fare this season.
After years of sustained success, the past few years have been tough for the Patriots. The 2023 might have been the toughest, as the wheels came off in a 4-13 season. That led to sweeping changes, including parting ways with Head Coach Bill Belichick. In his stead Jerrod Mayo has the task of trying to re-build the franchise. Can he get the turnaround started this season? Let’s dive in.
Off-Season Changes
The Patriots swept out former franchise quarterback Mac Jones along with Belichick, trading him to the Jaguars for a Sixth-Round pick. The team also saw Ezekiel Elliott leave for Dallas, with defenders Mack Wilson and Jalen Mills leaving along with tight ends Pharoah Brown and Mike Gesicki, along with tackle Trenton Brown. During camp, the Patriots also sent Matthew Judon to the Falcons for a 2025 draft pick. The team also brought in some players, including veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, tight end Austin Hooper, and receiver K.J. Osborn. The team also added former Commanders’ back Antonio Gibson to the backfield. In four seasons with the Commanders, Gibson rushed for 2,643 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also added 172 receptions.
In the draft, the Patriots used the No. 3 overall pick on former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. Maye threw for 8,018 yards and 63 touchdowns in college. He figures to be the future of the franchise at quarterback. In the Second Round the Patriots added receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, who caught 115 passes for 1,967 yards and 16 touchdowns in four seasons with Washington. The team added Florida receiver Javon Baker and Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton as well, re-building the offense.
Fantasy Prospects
Quarterback is a question for 2024. Maye is the future, and a great pick in dynasty, but the Patriots seem locked into starting Brissett. I like Brissett as a QB3 and suspect we see Maye at some point this season. In the backfield, Rhamondre Stevenson is the lead, and a good three-down back. He’s probably the best fantasy player for the Patriots. I like him as an RB2. I think Gibson will be a contributor and could end up in the RB4 range.
In the passing game, it’s wide open. Polk and Baker will compete with second-year man Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and veterans Kendrick Borne and Osborn. I think they’ll all be involved at some point, but I don’t see any Patriots receiver landing in the Top 50. I think Douglas ends up being the leader, while Polk and Baker are more dynasty options. At tight end the team has Hunter Henry back and Hooper. Henry had some good moments in 2023 and I think he’ll end up as a TE2.
Prediction
The Patriots are in the midst of a re-build. They took some good young players and could be turning in the right direction, but it won’t happen overnight. I like them to take some steps forward in 2024 and be a bit more interesting to watch, but I think they’ll still be in the three-to-five-win range. Another good off-season and they can push closer to .500 in 2025.
Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.
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