Greg Bedard’s 3 Up and 3 Down for the Patriots offseason so far

Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal joined Felger and Jim Murray on Thursday to discuss the New England Patriots offseason so far. Here are his 3 up and 3 down for the offseason.

• Audio

• 3 UP

  Trading Jonnu Smith

  

  Sep 25, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith (81) catches a pass during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• Felger: What’s your favorite move they made this offseason?

  Greg Bedard: It’s a low bar in this category. Trading Jonnu Smith. I’m just done watching him. I’m done hearing people make excuses for him that it was Josh McDaniels the first year, didn’t know how to use them right. Then it was Mac Jones last year. Like he just wasn’t a fit. The Patriots completely overrated him in terms of his fit. Remember, he was the first guy that they went after a tight end. They kind of lucked into Hunter Henry. And I’m just glad he’s gone.

• Signing JuJu Smith-Schuster

  

  Oct 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

• Felger: Number two?

  Greg Bedard: JuJu Smith-schuster. I mean, I think he’s an upgrade. I’ve wanted an upgrade at slot for the Patriots. I think he’s a slight upgrade. I don’t think he’s going to be a big difference maker or needle mover but it’s an upgrade so that’s good.

• Re-Signing Carl Davis

  

  Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Carl Davis Jr. (98) celebrates his fumble recovery with linebacker Matthew Judon (9) against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

• Felger: Number three?

  Greg Bedard: You’re going to love this one…re-signing Carl Davis on the defensive interior because the Patriots for some reason decide they’re not going to draft and develop any run stuffers on the inside to get cheaper and better. So Carl Davis is the only guy that they have that can do that. He’s the two gap king of New England, and I’m glad he’s back.

• 3 DOWN

  Tendering Yodny Cajuste

  

  Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste (72) lines up during the first half of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

• Felger: Okay. Three worst moves they’ve made there, Greg?

  Greg Bedard: Tendering Yodny Cajuste at $2.7 million. I mean, how much longer are we going to do this? He was a third round pick like four or five years ago. He had an opportunity to play last year when you completely sucked at right tackle and he couldn’t even beat out Connor McDermott.

• Re-Signing Jonathan Jones (if it prevents them from getting a #1 CB)

  

  FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 25: Cornerback Jonathan Jones #31 of the New England Patriots runs after an interception during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• Felger: Number two, the second worst move they made this offseason?

  Greg Bedard: Signing Jonathan Jones if it precludes them from getting a number one cornerback. I’m fine if Jonathan Jones is part of the tapestry of a secondary and maybe he slots one slot lower if they get a better guy. I’m fine with that could happen in the draft could happen in trade I don’t know. But if Jonathan Jones is the plan to just basically run it back in the secondary, I hate it. I’d rather use that money someplace else.

• Re-Signing Mack Wilson

  

  FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 20: Mack Wilson Sr. #30 of the New England Patriots reacts after a sack against the New York Jets during the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

• Felger: What was the third worst?

  Greg Bedard: So I was going to go Riley Reiff, but I’m going to pivot to I don’t mind Raekwon McMillan back at linebacker, but now Mack Wilson back at linebacker? I mean, for crying out loud, how much did you need to see this guy last year? He was awful. Can they please draft a linebacker that can run and make plays? Why do they have to keep re-signing these guys or else re-signing slow guys? Like hello, like the modern game is here you need to cover.

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