Every NFL Team's 2017 Draft Needs Based on Analytics
New England Patriots
Top Needs: RB, WR, IOL, OLB
“Need” is a strong word when it comes to the New England Patriots: do the Patriots really need to draft for any of these positions, when they can continually find stars on the waiver wire? When it comes to offensive linemen at least, they’ve taken the former route. They could plug a bit of a hole in their guard/center group, as that ranked just 16th in Rushing Success Rate last year.
The biggest holes are on offense, where the running backs put up the 12th-least Total NEP per play and the wide receivers the 9th-lowest Reception NEP per target. A long-term upgrade on runners LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis could be worthwhile, and Danny Amendola and Michael Floyd could lead the exodus from this receiver group.
Linebacker Dont'a Hightower's fate is uncertain also, and there’s already a thin depth chart at the second level with the trade of Jamie Collins earlier this year. The defense was still 11th-best and 8th-best in Adjusted Defensive Passing and Rushing NEP per play, respectively, though; that’s not a dire need.
