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Will second-year free agents make a jump?

Will second-year free agents make a jump?


I have heard lots about the disappointing first year Nelson Agholor, Davon Godchaux and to a lesser extent Jonnu Smith all had. For cap reasons, it seems all will be on the roster this season. I am wondering if what we saw last season is what we will get this year, or if there is hope for significant improvement now that they are all more familiar with the team. Have the Patriots seen other players obtained through trade/free agency show a big year one to year two improvement? -Doug Thompson

Quite a few factors to consider here, so let’s start first with Mac Jones as he relates to Agholor and Smith. It’s hard to compare to the past, i.e., when Brady was here, because he was already embedded in the offense. So if players didn’t really click in the first year with him, it’s was probably unlikely that they would suddenly get on Brady’s page in Year Two. Last year, they were all figuring it out together with all the new veteran weapons and the rookie quarterback not only digesting the playbook but understanding how each other like to play. So from that angle, as it regards to Mac, I think there are reasons to be optimistic. Both Smith and Agholor looked very involved and active in OTAs and that’s a good early sign. But I’d also temper those expectations on those players as well, because while I think both can be better, I am not sure either is going to reach All-Pro status just because they are more familiar with the offense and Mac now. Add in some new weapons like DeVante Parker and Tyquan Thornton, and they could eat into Agholor’s role a bit, as well as Smith’s potential targets that were already taking a hit with the presence of Hunter Henry. That’s just a reminder that ultimately it’s about the offense as a whole taking the next step, no matter who is making the key plays.

As for Godchaux, I do think there’s some learning curve on the defensive line as well, and while I wasn’t as down on him as some might’ve been last year, I do think he can make strides in a…

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