An optimist's guide to the 2024 New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have officially entered a new era in franchise history after parting ways with six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick, replacing him with Jerod Mayo.

Even though New England isn't expected to win many games this coming season, its offseason moves still create plenty of excitement and optimism for 2024. Here's why: 

The opportunity to watch a talented young quarterback develop

New England's most notable move this offseason was selecting UNC quarterback Drake Maye third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. The two-time ACC passing leader's development will be the main storyline to monitor with the Patriots this season, as his play will lay the foundation for their rebuilding process.

Entering the draft, Maye (who threw for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns last season) was considered a raw prospect with the upside to make a Josh Allen-like impact if he puts it all together. While that might just be another way of saying Maye will struggle mightily as a rookie, there's little reason to worry if the results aren't up to par.

Realistically, Maye will have some rough moments as a rookie, which is hardly a controversial statement. Even so, if he shows flashes of brilliance with his lackluster supporting cast – even if they're few and far between – it should provide some hope that he can evolve into an elite NFL quarterback someday. 

Matthew Judon and Christian Gonzalez are back to anchor an underrated defense

The Patriots didn't make any meaningful upgrades to their defense in free agency or the draft, but two impactful players in Judon and Gonzalez are being reinserted into the lineup.

Last season, Judon played in just four games before tearing his biceps. When healthy, Judon is not only the best player on New England's defense, but also one of the NFL's top defenders. During his first two seasons with New England, Judon racked up 28 sacks – the third most in the NFL trailing only San Francisco's Nick Bosa and Cleveland's Myles Garrett. 

Meanwhile, Gonzalez, New England's first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, saw his rookie season cut short likewise to four games due to a torn labrum. Gonzalez showed flashes of why many believed he was the top cornerback prospect in his draft class before he got injured, winning the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month honors for his stellar performance in September. 

Despite the injuries, the Patriots defense still managed to rank 15th in points allowed and seventh in yards allowed last season, more than respectable results for a team that finished 4-13. With Judon and Gonzalez back in action, it wouldn't be surprising if New England ranked inside the top 10 in both points and yards allowed in 2024. 

Should be in position to land a top prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft 

Last season was probably the first since 2000 that most Patriots fans paid more attention to mock drafts than the NFL season itself and 2024 probably won't be much different. FanDuel Sportsbook has the team's over-under win total set at just 4.5 games this season and ESPN's Football Power Index gives them the highest odds to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft (21.9%). 

Although it's far too early to know who will be the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft, there are several talented prospects who already stand out as potential options for New England in the first round.

If the Patriots ultimately decide to shore up the offensive line, LSU's Will Campbell and Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. are options to serve as Maye's blindside protector of the future. In 2023, the 6-foot-6, 325-pounder Campbell only gave up 17 pressures and zero sacks, whereas Banks (6-foot-4, 324 pounds) allowed 12 pressures and one sack.

Should the team instead opt to add a playmaker through the draft, Missouri's Luther Burden III could be an option, as New England desperately needs a true No. 1 wide receiver. In 13 games last season, Burden tallied the ninth-most receiving yards in the FBS (1,212) and scored nine touchdowns.