Despite losing key players like TE Rob Gronkowski and DE Trey Flowers, the NFL reigning champions New England Patriots are favorites to win the AFC again in 2019. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will be back, that is pretty much all you need to know to understand why.
New England Patriots 2019 NFL Season Preview
New England’s first game of the season will be against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 8. Week 8 against the Browns, Week 11 at Philadelphia and Week 14 hosting the Chiefs look like the toughest matchups on the Patriots schedule.
Speaking of the Patriots schedule, here it is:
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 1)
- Miami Dolphins (Week 2)
- New York Jets (Week 3)
- Buffalo Bills (Week 4)
- Washington Redskins (Week 5)
- New York Giants (Week 6)
- New York Jets (Week 7)
- Cleveland Browns (Week 8)
- Baltimore Ravens (Week 9)
- Bye (Week 10)
- Philadelphia Eagles (Week 11)
- Dallas Cowboys (Week 12)
- Houston Texans (Week 13)
- Kansas City Chiefs (Week 14)
- Cincinnati Bengals (Week 15)
- Buffalo Bills (Week 16)
- Miami Dolphins (Week 17)
The AFC East showdown might be a little more fun next season as the New York Jets signed RB Le’Veon Bell, but the Patriots are huge favorites -400 to win it for the eleventh time in a row.
The Pats roster has suffered a lot of changes, as usually happens after winning a Super Bowl, but the 2019 NFL Draft can become a generous one with New England as they are the team with the most picks overall (12).
Let’s check the top Arrivals, Departures, and Re-signings heading into the 2019 NFL Season.
Arrivals
- DL Michael Bennett
- DB Terrence Brooks
- WR Bruce Ellington
- WR Maurice Harris
- TE Matt LaCosse
- DL Mike Pennel
- TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
- WR Demaryius Thomas
Michael Bennet is an experienced player and he’s used to winning. His numbers with the Seahawks transform him into one of the best defensive linemen in the league, and he’ll be looking to bounce back after a poor season with the Eagles.
If healthy, Demaryius Thomas can be good, really good. He already played for Josh McDaniels in Denver and the Patriots are looking for a Randy Moss situation here.
Departures
- TE Dwayne Allen
- WR Darren Andrews
- DE Adrian Clayborn
- TE Rob Gronkowski (retired)
- WR Chris Hogan
- DE Trey Flowers
- DT Malcom Brown
- T Trent Brown
- WR Cordarrelle Patterson
There’s no doubt the absence of Rob Gronkowski is going to hurt, but the Patriots did pretty much nothing to keep a good slot and deep receiver in Chris Hogan (Carolina Panthers).
Trey Flowers (Detroit Lions), Malcom Brown (New Orleans Saints) and Trent Brown (Oakland Raiders) are in the verge of becoming one of the best in their positions, but you know the all Patriots way, no big-spoiled contracts.
Re-Signed
- WR Phillip Dorsett
- P Ryan Allen
- K Stephen Gostkowski
- DE John Simon
- DB Jonathan Jones
Stephen Gostkowski completed 27 of 32 FGA in 2018, we already know he is one of the best kickers in the entire NFL, and despite what many people might say, a good kicker is very important, just ask the Chicago Bears.
Coaching Staff
The coaching staff suffered a monumental change. Brian Flores took his talents to South Beach and became the Miami Dolphins Head Coach. First, New England replaced him with Greg Schiano, but he quit several days later.Now, Bill Belichick could become the Defensive Coordinator, while Josh McDaniels remains as the Offensive coordinator.
2019 NFL Draft
The 2019 NFL Draft began Thursday, April 25th, and the Patriots selected WR N’keal Harry with the 32nd pick, which means more weapons for Tom Brady.N’keal Harry is described as a big, presentable target on slants and in zone work who plays with patience and poise to win combat catches. Some analysts compare him with Dez Bryant.
New England owns eleven more picks to address other top needs like DL, OL, S, TE.
