The New England Patriots are the cream of the crop in the AFC East, and while they don’t play the Buffalo Bills until October, we’re previewing the game by reviewing the Patriots offseason with help from our SB Nation partner, Pats Pulpit.
Notable free agent additions: DE Chris Long, LB Shea McClellin, DT Terrance Knighton, WR Chris Hogan
Notable free agent departures: DE Chandler Jones, DT Akiem Hicks
Trades: TE Martellus Bennett (acquired from Bears for 4th-round pick), OG Jonathan Cooper (acquired from the Cardinals with a 2nd-round pick for DE Chandler Jones)
Draft picks expected to contribute as rookies:
2nd round CB Cyrus Jones: looks to slot in as the immediate nickel corner
3rd round OG Joe Thuney: playing with the first-team unit at left guard, although the three starting guards from 2015 are all hurt.