The New England Patriots' Biggest Offseason Moves - 2019 Odds and Predictions

Despite a high coaching turnover and losing one of their best players to retirement, the 2019-20 New England Patriots are again one of the odds on favorites to win the Super Bowl.

The Patriots’ elderly quarterback Tom Brady is showing few signs of being 41-years-young and says he expects to play in the NFL for at least another four seasons if possible.

As the New England Patriots’ owner fights to regain his reputation, his team continues to dominate the AFC and the NFL and we have a look at their best offseason moves, their upcoming draft picks and the odds and predictions of their 2019-20 postseason.

The 2019 New England Patriots are:

• Owner: Robert Kraft
• General Manager: Bill Belichick (Hired January 2000)
• Head Coach: Bill Belichick (Hired January 2000)
• Offensive Coordinator: Josh McDaniels (Promoted February 2012)
• Defensive Coordinator: VACANT
• Quarterback: Tom Brady (19^th season)
• Offensive Stars: Running Back Sony Michel, Wide Receiver Julian Edelman
• Defensive Stars: Defensive End Michael Bennett, Cornerback Stephon Gilmore

How did the Patriots do in 2018?

The 2018 New England Patriots and their 41-year-old quarterback Tom Brady did about as well as any NFL team can do by winning their sixth Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams, 13-3.

Despite a record of ‘only’ 11-5 after eight seasons of posting 12 wins or more and despite losing their deep threat receiver Josh Gordon midway through the season, the 2018 Patriots did whatever it took to beat one team at a time in the postseason until there were no more.

Credit brilliant head coach and general manager Bill Belichick, who is about to spend his twentieth season leading the Patriots and who is somehow able to consistently take players other teams have given up on and use them in his system to give their career a whole new life.

Biggest strategy shift Patriots will make for 2019?

Thanks to Belichick’s habit of going rogue with his draft choices, predicting the Patriots draft strategy is apparently close to impossible, and in the past, he’s zigged when the rest of the league expected him to zag.

The team is losing their star tight end Rob Gronkowski (see below) and Brady’s receiving corps is mainly slot receiver Julian Edelman right now, so you would think it would be safe to guess Belichick will use the draft to fill those holes first, but that may just be another zag for him to zig around.

With Brady’s advanced age, a young quarterback would also be a likely drafting possibility, with the name of Duke’s Daniel Jones being mentioned as a possible 32^nd pick in the first round.

Given the number of Patriots’ coaches that were poached from New England this offseason, though, Belichick will have to count on Brady and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels more than ever to make the most of whatever roster is finally assembled.

What coaches have the Patriots lost so far this offseason?

One of the huge benefits of being on the coaching staff of the Super Bowl winners is you immediately become a hot commodity that offseason, and this year New England’s bones got picked clean.

After the Patriots won their 2018-19 ring, the other NFL franchises came running and the Miami Dolphins led the way by grabbing the Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores as their new head coach.

The Dolphins also took New England’s wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea to be their offensive coordinator and their cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer to do the same role in Miami, as well as be their pass game coordinator.

New England’s defensive line coach was also taken away but by the Kansas City Chiefs, and the coach that Belichick hired to be his defensive coordinator, Greg Schiano, suddenly decided to retire in order to spend more time with his family and his faith.

What major players have the Patriots lost so far this offseason?

Tight end Rob Gronkowski, whom many would argue is a future hall-of-famer, retired after much speculation, and if you’re interested in his story, you can read our coverage in the article: Possible Rob Gronkowski Post Retirement Plans: Odds and Predictions.

Offensive tackle Trent Brown, who became a Patriots 16-game starter after signing a one-year deal for 2018, but with the Super Bowl win now on his resume scored a four-year, $66 million deal with the Oakland Raiders with $36.75 million of that guaranteed.

Defensive end Trey Flowers, who ended 2018 with 57 tackles (including 3 in the Super Bowl win), 7.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles, signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the Detroit Lions.

Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who was traded to New England by the Raiders and caught and ran balls for the Patriots for 15 games of the 2018 season, posted 63 total touches for 475 yards from scrimmage and 4 touchdowns and signed a two-year, $10 million deal this offseason with the Chicago Bears.

What have been the Patriots’ key free agent pick-ups this offseason?

Defensive end Michael Bennett was a big pickup after having had 9 sacks and 2 forced fumbles for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.

Defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who signed for a two-year, $5 million deal with $500,000 guaranteed, will also add depth to the D-line.

Tight end Matt LaCosse, formerly of the Denver Broncos, who was brought in to help fill Gronk’s empty shoes after catching 24 balls for 250 yards and a touchdown last season.

Re-signed veteran cornerback Jason McCourty to a two-year, $10 million contract extension after he posted 70 tackles, an interception, 10 passes defended and a forced fumble.

Re-signed wide receiver Phillip Dorsett on a one-year contract worth $2.6 million with $500,000 guaranteed.

Re-signed outside linebacker John Simon for a two-year deal worth $4.1 million, including a $700,000 signing bonus and $1.6 million guaranteed.

What are New England’s Biggest Needs?

Offense

After losing Trent Brown, they could use an offensive tackle; after losing Cordarrelle Patterson they could use a deep threat receiver to play off Edelman; and depending on how much faith they have in LaCosse, they may want to add depth to the tight end position.

Defense

Anywhere on the line to add depth; a strong safety to eventually replace Patrick Chung, who will be playing his ninth NFL season in 2019, all with the Patriots.

What draft picks do the Patriots have in 2019?

The Patriots have 12 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, and they are:

• Round 1: No. 32 overall (a drawback of being Super Bowl Champions)
• Round 2: Nos. 56, (from Bears), 64
• Round 3: Nos. 73 (from Lions), 97, 101 
• Round 4: No. 134 
• Round 6: Nos. 205
• Round 7: Nos. 239 (from Eagles), 243 (from Chiefs through 49ers and Browns), 246, 252

How have the Patriots done in the last ten postseasons?

Since the 2009 season, New England has been to the postseason all ten times.

In one of those appearances the Patriots lost in the Wild Card Playoffs (2009), in one of them they lost in the Divisional Playoffs (2010), in three they lost in the AFC Championship (2012, 2013, 2015), and of the five Super Bowls they appeared in during the last decade (2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) they won three of them (2014, 2016, 2018).

The Patriots have been to the Super Bowl eleven times total and have won the Lombardi Trophy six times, all of those victories coming under the leadership tandem of Belichick and Brady (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018).

How are the Patriots predicted to do during the 2019-20 season?

As usual, they’re in the conversation of AFC teams to beat if you want to get to the Super Bowl.

With twelve draft picks by Belichick and plenty of free agent talent supporting GOAT Brady, it would be tough to bet against New England in 2019.

Of course, the Patriots’ haters and doubters are convinced that Brady is about to have his final season, and an embarrassing one at that, but they’ve been saying the same thing since the old man turned thirty-five six years and three Super Bowl rings ago.

Will the Patriots be playing the first game of the season?

No, actually, and that’s despite being the 2018-19 Super Bowl Champions, which is usually enough to qualify for the honor.

Instead, that honor will go to the Chicago Bears, who will host the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field.

The Patriots will kick off their season during the Week 1 Sunday Night Football telecast, with their opponent being announced with the rest of the regular season schedule later in the spring.

What are the current postseason odds and predictions for the 2019 New England Patriots?

As usual, the New England Patriots are one of the favored teams to win Super Bowl LIV.

According to the odds, their biggest challenge will be to get past the Kansas City Chiefs, who are equally favored to win the AFC Championship.

Here are the current odds listed for the Patriots’ postseason in 2019-20.

Keep in mind odds tend to change daily, so do yourself a favor and check for the very latest whenever you decide to place a wager.

Good luck!

New England Patriots Postseason