There's no question that the New England Patriots need a major offensive facelift.
The only problem is that this is a rebuilding team that may need multiple surgeries to finally get the look they want on offense. No general manager can just snap his fingers and create a major offense out of thin air.
They have to make contracts with players and teams in free agency and also make draft picks. It's a long and arduous process that can take years or decades, depending on who's behind the wheel.
Patriots senior personnel executive Eliot Wolf isn't going to create an offensive masterpiece with just two years of decision making. However, there is serious potential for him to get the unit on the right track quicker than some might expect.
I've put together a dream yet realistic starting lineup for the Patriots in 2025. Here are the players who made it:
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This one is easy.
The Patriots hit the jackpot by selecting Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who was everything the team hoped he would be. He would be even better in 2025 with an improved offensive line and legitimate game-winning receivers to throw to in games.
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The Patriots chose Rhamondre Stevenson as the franchise's running back when they handed him a four-year contract extension this offseason. An improved offensive line would go a long way toward getting the same efficiency out of him that we saw in his 2022 season.
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The Cincinnati Bengals probably won't pay both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. If the Bengals are forced to choose between the two, they will side with Chase, meaning Higgins will hit free agency in 2025. The Patriots will have the most money to offer, and they will also have a promising young quarterback to trade to Higgins as a teammate.
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Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is considered the best wideout in the entire 2025 NFL Draft. He has the size and explosive playmaking ability that the Patriots desperately need on their roster, even if it costs them a top-10 draft pick. McMillan's emergence opposite Tee Higgins would be a crucial offensive player for New England.
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Imagine how good Demario Douglas would be at the position if Tee Higgins and Tet McMillan took over the wing positions. The unit would immediately go from a dumpster fire to a poison-picking offense for the opposing defense.
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Hunter Henry is still one of the better tight ends in the league. Clearly, the Patriots need to get younger at the position, and there is hope that they may be able to do that with Jaheim Bell. But right now, Henry is by far the best available option for the team.
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After using their first draft pick on Tet McMillan, the Patriots traded to Texas in the first round for Kelvin Banks Jr. With everyone falling in love with LSU's Will Campbell, this could be an opportunity for the Patriots to work the board in their team's favor and double dip on two high-end prospects in key areas of need.
Banks is a powerful enforcer on the offensive front who could provide drastic improvement as Drake Maye's blindside protector.
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The development of rookie guard Layden Robinson could change the table at the position. Injuries were a constant concern for Strange, as he had not been on the field long enough to live up to his first-round draft selection. However, as long as he's healthy, don't be surprised to see him reinstated as the top left guard in 2025.
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David Andrews has been the heartbeat of the offensive line for years. We hope his heart beats again when he returns in 2025.
Retirement could be imminent, but so far it looks like Andrews plans to resume his playing career. He's still a good player on the offensive front, but the Patriots had better do a better job of finding an emergency Plan B option.
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A move from Mike Onwenu to right guard would be the best scenario for the Patriots. He's versatile enough to play any position on offense, but as a right guard he's a Pro Bowl-caliber player. The goal in the offseason should be to get him back to his natural position.
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The decision about Caedan Wallace in the nfl has not yet been made. He got off to a slow start as the team tried to slot him in at left tackle. The hope is that he can finally get healthy and work in his natural position at right guard, where he grew his stock in college. A jump into year two with Wallace becoming a week-to-week starter would be huge for the Patriots.