The New England Patriots are coming off of a successful 2021 season. Their 10-7 record was enough to punch their ticket to the postseason where they were knocked out by the Buffalo Bills in the opening round. Rookie QB Mac Jones was impressive in his first year as the starter which gives great reason for optimism moving forward. Jones started all 17 games throwing for 3801 yards. The rookie exceeded expectations and was named to a Pro Bowl due to his impressive performance.

The Patriots walked away with 10 new rookies in the 2022 Draft which will help fill the gaps in a variety of positions. The Patriots added three offensive linemen, two cornerbacks, as well as WR Tyquan Thorton in round two. While there were some questionable decisions during draft day, New England has earned its right to target talent they believe is underrated.

It is clear the Patriots are retooling for another contending team and the foundation being put down. While Tom Brady got his ring without Bill Belichick, the Patriots coach still has plenty left to prove. The work is not done and New England still has plenty of roster changes still to make. With the NFL season inching closer, expect the Patriots to continually look to upgrade their roster and

3 moves Patriots must make after 2022 NFL Draft 

Sign Odell Beckham Jr.

The career of Odell Beckham Jr has been a roller coaster thus far. He has had the highlight-reel catches and Pro Bowl numbers that make your eyes pop. However, Beckham has also had his share of red flags to go with this success. Even if there has been a decline in Beckham's play, he is more than capable of serving as a primary threat in an NFL offense. The Patriots have a reputation for giving troubled players a chance and having success with it. Much of the drama surrounding OBJ is overblown, but he could certainly find a home in New England.

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The Patriots have made some upgrades to their receiving core already this offseason. Trading for DeVante Parker and drafting Tyquan Thorton helped retool the position. However, the presence of Odell Beckham Jr is game-changing in an offense and he would immediately become the number one option. If the Patriots truly believe Mac Jones is the franchise quarterback they must give him the tools to succeed. Adding OBJ to the offense would make a massive difference in accomplishing this.

Sign Jadeveon Clowney

The New England Patriots ranked 21st in the NFL last season in sacks per game. While Matthew Judon was successful as a pass-rusher, adding Jadeveon Clowney would weaponize the Patriots' defense in a major way. Creating an effective pass rush is a major key to any defense and this would help this job be accomplished. While there is a concern for the secondary after JC Jackson left in free agency, upgrading the pass rush would help hide this issue.

Jadeveon Clowney has not been the superstar some expected after being the first overall pick in the 2014 draft. However, he is still an incredibly effective pass rusher who is capable of making an impact. Clowney tallied 9 sacks and 11 tackles for loss last season with the Browns. The 29-year-old still has a few productive years ahead of him and it has been surprising to see him still available. The three-time pro-bowler will still make a valuable addition to a team and the Patriots would be wise to capitalize.

The Patriots are a fairly youthful team but are not far off from truly contending. The success of Mac Jones last year was incredibly encouraging and likely the biggest piece of the puzzle in place. Look for the Patriots to continue building around the former Alabama standout and build off the playoff appearance last year.