At this point, the New England Patriots are fully focused on the 2024 season. The finishing touches are being put on the coaching staff and front office roles are being set as they prepare for free agency to open on March 13th. There’s going to be plenty of turnover with a roster that went 4-13 this past season. With that being said, there were a few bright spots through last year that have set themselves up for a breakout season with the Patriots in 2024.
2024 Set to Be the Breakout Year for These Three Patriots
Christian Gonzalez
Christian Gonzalez was on pace to have his breakout season this past year as a rookie with the Patriots. In just four games, the first-year corner recorded an interception, a sack, and three passes defended. Some have even gone as far as to say that Christian Gonzalez was on his way to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, before tearing his labrum.
Coming in as a speedster, Gonzalez quickly showed he has all the physical tools to have a nice career in this league. In his second NFL game, he dealt with the Miami Dolphins electric duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and was able to keep up all game. The pair of receivers had just nine catches on 15 targets for 126 yards on the day; 30 of those yards coming off a screen to Waddle where Gonzalez was on the opposite side of the field. Throughout that game – and all of his limited time on the field – he not only showed the physical tools, but how high his football IQ is. He seamlessly fit into a complex Bill Belichick-led defense and was a starter from day one, something even veteran corners have struggled with in the past.
In the AFC East with Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, Garrett Wilson, and Jaylen Waddle, The Patriots are guaranteed to face a top-tier wide receiver in at least six of their games. When Gonzalez can return fully healthy, they’ll have a much easier time taking away the opposing team’s primary weapon. The corner was spotted honing his craft with Steve Smith Sr. to start this offseason, clearly trying to come back even better than he was. If he’s going to be covering the best then he’s going to get tested often, giving him ample opportunities to make plays for his team.
You can only fight the way you Practice pic.twitter.com/uLtogssqO2
— Steve Smith Sr. (@SteveSmithSr89) February 6, 2024
Christian Barmore
It could be argued that Christian Barmore had his breakout year this season, finishing seventh among defensive tackles in sacks (8.5). Despite the pass-rushing stats, where he truly took the biggest strides this season was defending against the run. Barmore finished second in solo tackles at his position (39) and tied for third in tackles for loss (13). This kind of multifaceted attack makes him an incredibly versatile player on a very good New England defense.
Barmore’s quickness is extremely impressive for a player of his size. The ability to explode off the line, outmaneuver double teams with his quickness, and still have the power to bulldoze through linemen is a rare find in a defensive tackle. After dedicating the offseason to refining his impressive skills, the Patriots defensive tackle is ready to hit the ground running next season. With his former position coach stepping up as the new defensive coordinator, Barmore is undoubtedly expected to be at the heart of the Patriots defensive scheme in 2024, ready to break out and make an even bigger impact.
DeMario “Pop” Douglas
DeMario “Pop” Douglas burst onto the scene in New England this season, defying expectations for a sixth-round pick. In his rookie campaign, the speedy wide-out set the record for most receptions by a rookie in the Belichick era with 44. It wasn’t just the numbers; Douglas’s knack for quick, precise routes and creating separation was turning heads all season. Looking ahead, the question is not whether Douglas will contribute in 2024, but whether the Patriots might have a future star on their hands.
Douglas is poised to elevate his game to the next level, especially with Alex Van Pelt now steering the offense. As CLNS reporter Taylor Kyles points out in the tweet below, Douglas seems like a great scheme fit for Van Pelt’s offense. With new reports that the team is looking to move on from Mac Jones, the passing game could see a significant boost. The Patriots holding the third overall pick in the draft allows them to get a more dynamic playmaker under center, which will only elevate the play of the receivers.
The Browns like to get funky with their offensive looks, and one of their wrinkles included putting WR Elijah Moore in the backfield
Tried getting him outside with pin-pull + tosses and creating pass game mismatches vs LBs and SAFs
Wonder if AVP tries something similar with Pop pic.twitter.com/AiS4DYjoOR
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) February 9, 2024
Patriots Poised for a Promising Future
While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the emotions of the end of the season – especially one as disappointing as this past year – the Patriots are actually well-positioned to go through a rebuild this offseason. Having an opportunity to get a franchise quarterback on a rookie contract, the third-most cap space in the league, and these three potential stars coming back for the 2024 season is a recipe for success. It won’t be easy; this roster needs a lot of work and has some key players set to become free agents as well. All eyes turn to Jerod Mayo and the front office as they get started shaping the future of the franchise.
Main Photo: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
