The Patriots even shored up the fullback position for 2021

Author Matt Dolloff

March 26th, 2021 10:41 AM

In case you’ve been cave diving for the past two weeks, Bill Belichick has upgraded multiple positions of need for his 2021 roster. Fullback wasn’t exactly one of those holes, but it’s clear that the Patriots still want to utilize and perhaps emphasize the position.

So it’s entirely unsurprising that they have agreed to a deal with exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) Jakob Johnson, who played in all 16 games and started 11 of them as the Patriots’ primary fullback in 2020. Johnson’s ERFA status means he was almost certainly going to be on the Patriots roster entering 2021 off-season workouts. But due to the minimal financial commitment required to retain an ERFA, Johnson is no sure thing to make the 53-man roster.

The bigger reason Johnson is not a roster lock, however, is because the Pats have two other potential fullbacks in the fold. Dan Vitale, who opted out of the 2020 season amid COVID-19 concerns, is preparing to play again in 2021. He signed a one-year deal with the Patriots a year ago, which carries over. Vitale has a chance to be a more dynamic pass-catcher at fullback than Johnson, sort of the Patriots’ version of the 49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk. He’s also a specimen of a human, based on his Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLHLznRBjvi/

In addition to Vitale and Johnson, the Patriots drafted Dalton Keene out of Virginia Tech in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. While Keene technically came out of the draft as a tight end, he made little headway on an already-thin depth chart at that position and he projects as more of an H-back/fullback type of player. Keene occasionally lined up at fullback in 2020, in addition to being used as an in-line tight end when active.

The Patriots can most certainly be expected to run their 2021 offense through their two high-priced tight ends, Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry. But expect plenty of “21” personnel with a fullback, too. They will have plenty of options to determine the best fit for what they want to do at that position, and it should help the offense become much more unpredictable in 2021.

Despite all this, fullback wasn’t one of the biggest items on the to-do list for the Patriots. Scroll down to read about some of the most important tasks left on Bill Belichick’s off-season agenda.

• Add upside at quarterback

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  If you're reducing the conversation to just "Yeah but who's the quarterback?!" I have no use for you. Why talk about anything, then? But the quarterback position does still need to be addressed, specifically a young QB with upside. So let's get specific.
  
  Upside is most likely to come in the draft. The Patriots are rumored to be high on Ohio State's Justin Fields, but it's fair to wonder if that's just a smokescreen, and they really want Trey Lance out of North Dakota State or Mac Jones out of Alabama. If they decide they like one of the quarterbacks in the second tier of draft prospects, that would work too. If they get Jimmy Garoppolo back, there may be some remaining untapped potential there.
  
  Wherever they find it, the Patriots desperately need to take a shot at a real long-term answer at the position. Until then, accept the reality of Cam Newton as the no-upside placeholder for another season. Or pray that Jarrett Stidham unlocks something we haven't seen.

• Make a decision on N’Keal Harry

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  The trade rumors continue to swirl around Harry, a 2019 first-round pick who has failed to produce like one through two NFL seasons. Is it time for a change of scenery? Or do the Patriots think he will finally pan out now that the pressure's off him to perform like a No. 1 pass-catcher?
  
  If the Patriots decide to hold onto Harry, he's firmly in the top-4 receiver rotation. But right now the top-3 receivers in "11" personnel look like Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, and Kendrick Bourne. So the two sides may ultimately decide it's time for a change of scenery.
  
  If a trade actually happens, that would open a spot in the receiver pecking order. Even in 2020, the Patriots liked to occasionally run four-receiver sets. So if they move on from Harry, they'll add another task to their plate...

• One more receiver

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  Ideally, Julian Edelman has one more solid year in him. But it's hard to feel like they can depend on him to stay on the field, let alone produce like his vintage self at age 35. There's simply too much tread on those tires at this point.
  
  So if Harry is no longer an answer, then they need to find another. There are still some intriguing names out there who can be had cheaply. They reportedly tried to sign Adam Humphries two offseasons ago before he signed with the Titans. Humphries flamed out in Tennessee, so now might be the time where Belichick would strike. Other names that could fit in New England are Golden Tate, Marquise Goodwin, and Willie Snead. If not one of them, bringing Damiere Byrd back as the clear fourth option at receiver wouldn't be a bad fallback plan.
• Defensive line depth

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  With the return of Lawrence Guy, the Patriots appear to have a starting three-man front solidified with him, Davon Godchaux, and Henry Anderson. But since the other two players are new faces, they are relative unknowns. And even if they pan out, there's little in the way of reliable depth behind them.
  
  Deatrich Wise is back and in it for the long haul. Byron Cowart flashed at times in his second season, but it's a wonder what he is long-term. Everyone else who played on the D-line last season did so out of necessity. So it would behoove Belichick to bring in one more defensive lineman, preferably an established veteran on short money.
  
  That type of player is still in abundance on the open market, particularly on the edge. The Patriots should have no problem fitting someone like Carlos Dunlap under their remaining cap space. Kawann Short and Jurell Casey are a pair of accomplished veteran interior defenders who would be put in a position to succeed here. A name like that would be the cherry on top of a wildly aggressive roster overhaul.

• Identify a new young cornerback

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  The Patriots' quarterback quandary has illustrated more than ever that it's better to figure out your future a year early than a year late. The Patriots may end up giving Stephon Gilmore one last extension, but it's time to start thinking about the next generation of Patriots cornerbacks.
  
  You may be wondering why there's a picture of South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn, and not of restricted free agent J.C. Jackson. That's because even if the Patriots do ultimately strike a long-term deal with Jackson, ideally they're still setting up for the post-Gilmore era. Jackson has proven to be a good starting cornerback and a legitimate playmaker, but is hea true No. 1 shutdown guy?
  
  Either way, you should be mentally prepared for Belichick to zag when everyone thinks he's going to zig. The Patriots had people in attendance at Horn's Pro Day and he's projected to be drafted right around pick No. 15. There are a few other elite prospects at CB, too. Don't be surprised if they go this route.

• Who’s covering tight ends?

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  This is a question that won't be answered until the team starts practicing. But they now have to figure out who's going to fill this role, which the retired Patrick Chung filled much of the time.
  
  Free-agent addition Jalen Mills has experience covering tight ends, so he may be the leader in the clubhouse. But they also tried Joejuan Williams and even Kyle Dugger in that role in 2020. It could also be a thing that changes from game-to-game, even snap-to-snap. But with Chung no longer in the fold, it's something they need to figure out.

MORE: Lawrence Guy Contract Details

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at [email protected].

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Author Matt Dolloff

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