Patriots: 3 best moves of the 2023 offseason
By Jakob Ashlin
From draft night trades to free agent signings, the New England Patriots were active this offseason. Let’s take a look at their three best moves of the 2023 offseason.
The New England Patriots made a number of smart under-the-radar moves this offseason. In free agency, they signed running back James Robinson, tight end Mike Gesicki, and offensive tackle Calvin Anderson to team-friendly deals.
In addition, they were able to trade tight end Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons for a seventh-round pick. The trade opened up about $4.4 million in cap space.
In the 2023 NFL Draft, they landed an impressive draft class headlined by Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Let’s take a look at their three best moves of the 2023 offseason.
Best Patriots moves of the offseason: 3. Buying low on James Robinson
This signing has flown under the radar. The Patriots signed Robinson to a two-year deal worth up to $4 million. In 2020, he rushed for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. He was even voted an NFL Top 100 player.
In 2021, Robinson improved his efficiency. He raised his yards per carry (4.7) and lowered his rush attempts per broken tackle (14.9). Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to an Achilles injury.
However, Robinson was able to return to the field in 2022. After playing a reduced role behind Travis Etienne, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded him to the New York Jets. This is where the perception of Robinson really dropped.
With the Jets, Robinson had 28 carries for 85 yards. Yes, that is unspectacular, but it is such a small sample size. 113 players had more than 28 total carries last season.
Robinson is still only 24 years old, and he is not far removed from being one of the best running backs in the league. He is a great low-risk, high-reward addition.