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The New England Patriots just suffered their earliest playoff exit in a decade, falling in the Wild Card Round for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign.
Yes, the Patriots won 12 games, and yes, they captured their 11th straight AFC East division title, but it's obvious that there is a talent deficiency on this team that not even Tom Brady and Bill Belichick can overcome.
Of course, the Pats are still the Pats, so as long as Brady and Belichick return in 2020 (which is a question mark), New England will be contending again.
But the Patriots still have a few major needs entering the offseason.
Here are three of them:
3. Another Running Back
It became clearly this season that the Patriots' ground game just isn't good enough.
Sony Michel regressed after a strong rookie campaign, James White is really a receiver in a halfback's body and rookie Damien Harris barely saw the field.
There is still hope for Harris, whom New England selected in the third round last spring, but the Pats could really use some insurance in their backfield.
To be fair, outside of Corey Dillon, the Patriots have never really had an elite running back during the Brady era, but with New England's offense lacking at the moment, it can seriously use one.
Not that the Pats will be able to find an elite back this offseason, but they should at least try to bring in someone who can bring a different dynamic to the rushing attack.
2. The Patriots Need A Tight End
Boy, do the Patriots miss Rob Gronkowski.
New England tight ends combined for just 31 catches in 2019, with Ben Watson leading the way with a whopping 17.
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That's not going to get it done.
While you don't need an elite tight end to win in the NFL, you at least need a guy who can consistently catch passes and put some pressure on the defense, and the Pats did not have that at the tight end position this season.
Expect the Patriots to scour the free-agent market for a tight end and/or use an early pick on one in this year's draft.
1. Wide Receivers
Notice that I used the plural form of wide receivers.
New England started 2019 with Julian Edelman, Antonio Brown and Josh Gordon in its receiving corps. It ended the year with an Edelman battling three injuries, two of which may require surgery.
Say what you want about Brady being 42 years old, but not having any receivers to throw to also severely hurt his production this season, as N'Keal Harry hardly played due to injuries, Mohamed Sanu was a bust of a deadline pickup and Phillip Dorsett didn't do much of anything.
Of course, Harry could have a breakout year next season, but the Patriots still need receiving help either way, especially with Edelman getting older.
New England spent a first-round pick on a wide out last April (Harry), and it would not be surprising to see the Pats go with another receiver early on this year.
The Patriots will also surely examine guys like A.J. Green on the open market.
