Patriots' McDaniels Hire: 9 Players Who Win Big (and 9 Who Lose)

VizzTimes

You need 6 min read

·

Post on Jan 22, 2025

64 visitor like this post

Share

Patriots' McDaniels Hire: 9 Players Who Win Big (and 9 Who Lose)

Okay, football fanatics, let's dive into some serious speculation! The Patriots just hired Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator, and that's HUGE. This move completely changes the landscape in Foxborough, and I'm here to break down who's about to feast and who's about to feel the burn. I've been following the Pats for years – even made a few questionable fantasy football decisions based on my gut feelings (don't ask!). So trust me, I’ve seen some crazy stuff.

The Big Winners: These Guys are Golden

Let's start with the lucky nine, the players poised to seriously elevate their game and maybe even their bank accounts. This isn't just about stats; it's about opportunity and the right system.

1. Mac Jones: This is a no-brainer. O'Brien's known for his quarterback-centric offenses. Think structured passing plays, play-action magic, and a lot less improvising. After a rough couple of seasons under different offensive coordinators, Mac finally gets a chance to show what he’s truly capable of, This could be the season he finally silences the doubters. Remember, a good coach can make or break a quarterback's career – look at Josh Allen's explosion with Brian Daboll!

2. Rhamondre Stevenson: With a more traditional offense, Stevenson's role as the workhorse back should expand. O'Brien loves to establish the run – setting up play-action passes and controlling the clock. Get ready for more carries, more touchdowns, and more fantasy points for those of you who drafted him. Seriously, I almost dropped him last year, and that would have been a HUGE mistake!

3. Hunter Henry & Jonnu Smith: Tight ends thrive in O'Brien’s systems. Both Henry and Smith were largely underutilized last season, mainly used as blockers, but O'Brien utilizes the tight end position in the passing game. Expect a significant increase in targets and receptions for these two. This could be their comeback season—I’m predicting some serious yardage gains!

4. DeVante Parker: Parker is another player who could benefit from O'Brien's scheme. A good, solid receiver who can stretch the field; he needs someone who can highlight his skills and make sure he gets his opportunities. O'Brien's going to do that. He's shown a knack for maximizing the potential of his receivers, getting them open, and creating opportunities.

5. Kendrick Bourne: Bourne was a ghost last season. It seems like this situation is going to improve for him; this is his chance to shine. O'Brien’s focus on precise route running and short-to-intermediate throws suits Bourne's skillset perfectly. He’s going to get involved. This is his chance to show the team why he was originally signed!

6. Jakobi Meyers: Meyers is a solid possession receiver and O'Brien often used this receiver-style during his time with the Texans. His dependable hands and route-running skills fit nicely into O'Brien's scheme. Expect a solid increase in targets and receptions for him.

7. Cole Strange: With the addition of Bill O'Brien, Strange has a chance to establish himself as the Patriots' starting left guard. O'Brien's offensive scheme usually calls for consistent and strong run-blocking. If Cole can prove himself, then he'll be a regular starter and solidify his place on the team.

8. Matthew Judon: Judon's already a star, but a more consistent offensive attack can lead to more scoring drives and fewer three-and-outs for the defense. This means more opportunities for Judon to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. More sacks for him = good news for the Patriots.

9. Christian Barmore: Similarly, Barmore could see an uptick in sacks and tackles. A strong run game keeps the defense fresh, and fewer snaps spent on the field defending against the pass means more energy to pursue quarterbacks and disrupt plays.

The Big Losers: Uh Oh…

Now for the not-so-lucky nine. This isn't to say these players are terrible – it's just that O'Brien's system might not highlight their specific skills. Some might even find themselves on the bench more often.

1. Damien Harris: Unfortunately, Harris might be the biggest loser in this whole shakeup. With Stevenson's potential rise, Harris' playing time could dwindle significantly. The Patriots may be more inclined to go with a more versatile back who can catch passes out of the backfield as opposed to a straight-up runner.

2. Jalen Mills: While a versatile player, Mills might find himself playing less in the secondary with O’Brien's scheme. The scheme focuses more on utilizing the linebackers and safeties to stop passing plays in order to maintain the strong run game, therefore reducing his field time.

3. Nelson Agholor: O'Brien’s offense prioritizes possession receivers and consistent route running. Agholor's style might not fit perfectly. It’s not a guarantee he’ll be released, but his playtime might be significantly reduced.

4. Tyquan Thornton: Thornton is a speedy receiver, but O'Brien’s offense doesn’t usually prioritize deep throws. His speed might be underutilized in this system, reducing his opportunities to shine.

5. Trent Brown: Brown's role might be slightly less critical. While he remains important, O'Brien's scheme may see slightly less reliance on the run game. This could mean fewer opportunities for heavy rushing plays and less impact for Brown.

6. Pierre Strong Jr.: Strong Jr.'s role as a backup running back could become even smaller with Stevenson's anticipated increase in playing time. He might find himself fighting for snaps more than he did in previous seasons.

7. Marcus Jones: With the Patriots' focus shifting towards the run, the need for a punt returner might become less crucial. This could affect Marcus Jones' playing time, especially if he doesn't excel in defensive roles.

8. Anfernee Jennings: This linebacker may see some less playing time as the Patriots transition to a system where linebackers are less involved in pass coverage. This will heavily depend on how he performs this season, of course.

9. Josh Uche: Similar to Jennings, Uche's role in the defense might change given O'Brien's system emphasis. His specialization in blitzing and pass rushing might be less impactful with the run-heavy scheme.

Disclaimer: This is all speculation based on historical trends. Football is unpredictable, and player performance can vary wildly. This is just my personal take, not a gospel truth. I could be completely wrong – and that's the beautiful unpredictability of the NFL! Let's see what happens! What do you think? Who do you think wins and loses? Let me know in the comments!