The New England Patriots were busy over the first week of free agency before the action dipped over the weekend.

With six new players added this week and a handful of subtractions since the end of the 2022 season, it’s time to reset the Patriots’ depth chart to see where their strengths and weaknesses lie.

Here’s an updated look at New England’s depth chart:

QUARTERBACK

Mac Jones
Bailey Zappe

The Patriots have been in contact about adding a veteran quarterback. They also could look to fill their need for a third QB through the draft if they want to add another developmental prospect. New England officially released veteran backup Brian Hoyer last week. They're in pretty good shape with Jones and Zappe as far as starting depth goes, but they'll need a third arm during the offseason workout program, training camp and the preseason. Ideally, they'd stash a third quarterback on the practice squad in-season.

RUNNING BACK

Rhamondre Stevenson
James Robinson
Ty Montgomery
Pierre Strong
Kevin Harris
J.J. Taylor

New England could be set here if they wanted to be. Stevenson and Robinson both have proven they can serve as three-down backs. Montgomery is a third-down option out of the backfield as a pass-catcher. Strong — a speed back — and Harris — a power back — were drafted last year.

WIDE RECEIVER

JuJu Smith-Schuster
DeVante Parker
Tyquan Thornton
Kendrick Bourne
Raleigh Webb
Lynn Bowden
Tre Nixon

One more dependable option is needed here behind Smith-Schuster, Parker, Thornton and Bourne, though Bowden and Nixon have upside. Webb didn't do anything as a pass-catcher last season with the Patriots instead working on special teams, but he did catch passes for the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason. We put Thornton over Bourne on the depth chart since he received more offensive snaps in 2022. We'll see if new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien handles snap counts at wide receiver. Tight end Mike Gesicki has to be considered somewhat of a wide receiver, as well, since he does his best work out of the slot and split out wide.

TIGHT END

Hunter Henry
Mike Gesicki
Matt Sokol
Scotty Washington

The Patriots traded tight end Jonnu Smith and are left without maybe the prototypical inline tight end. Henry played most of his snaps inline last season but that was new for him. He typically had split his time between out wide/the slot and inline at tight end. Gesicki is more of a big wide receiver than a tight end. Sokol and Washington are practice squad-type players.

OFFENSIVE LINE

LT Trent Brown
LG Cole Strange
C David Andrews
RG Mike Onwenu
RT Riley Reiff
OT Calvin Anderson
iOL James Ferentz
OT Conor McDermott
OT Yodny Cajuste
iOL Chasen HInes
OT Andrew Stueber
iOL Bill Murray
iOL Kody Russey

There's plenty of offensive tackle depth on the Patriots' roster in Brown, Reiff, Anderson, McDermott, Cajuste and even Stueber, a 2022 seventh-round draft pick. Plus, it wouldn't be surprising if New England decided to take their left tackle of the future with the 14th overall pick in this year's draft. The guard and center depth is a little bit lacking, however, since Ferentz is their top option there. Maybe New England believes they can move Reiff, Anderson, McDermott or Cajuste inside in a pinch, but it still wouldn't be surprising if a guard or center was signed or selected somewhat early in the 2023 NFL Draft.

DEFENSIVE LINE

DE Deatrich Wise
DT Davon Godchaux
DT Lawrence Guy
DT Christian Barmore
DT Daniel Ekuale
DT Carl Davis
DT Sam Roberts
DE DeMarcus Mitchell
DT Jeremiah Pharms

The Patriots brought back their entire defensive line from last season. Ekuale actually played more snaps than Barmore in 2022. Ideally, that changes in 2023 with Barmore taking another step forward in his development.

EDGE DEFENDER

Matthew Judon
Josh Uche
Anfernee Jennings
Ronnie Perkins

The Patriots are a little light here, though you could consider Wise an edge defender, as well. New England hosted Trey Flowers and Andrew Van Ginkel on free-agent visits last week. Neither signed immediately, but it showed New England views this position as an area where they could use more veteran help.

LINEBACKER

Ja’Whaun Bentley
Jahlani Tavai
Raekwon McMillan
Mack Wilson
Chris Board
Calvin Munson
Olakunle Fatukasi
Terez Hall

New England also brought back its entire linebacker corps, which was actually pretty telling. The Patriots could use a younger player mixed in here, but they obviously don't feel that this position is an immediate need, either, since they brought back McMillan and Wilson and added Board and Fatukasi. Board will mostly serve as special-teams help, but he did play defensive snaps in previous stops.

CORNERBACK

Jonathan Jones
Jack Jones
Marcus Jones
Myles Bryant
Shaun Wade
Quandre Mosely
Rodney Randle

Cornerback is probably the Patriots' biggest area of need as they continue to sift through free agency and plan for the draft. New England elected to release cornerback Jalen Mills last week. Even before that move, cornerback was a position that could be upgraded. Jonathan Jones did well at outside cornerback last season, but he's probably best suited for the slot, much like Marcus Jones. Jonathan Jones also has experience at free safety, and the Patriots must replace retired captain Devin McCourty. Jack Jones is really the only ideal outside cornerback on the roster, and he's on the slimmer side and was suspended late in the 2022 season. The Patriots could use one or two veteran additions and a high draft pick at cornerback.

SAFETY

Kyle Dugger
Adrian Phillips
Jabrill Peppers
Joshuah Bledsoe
Cody Davis
Brenden Schooler
Brad Hawkins

There's not an obvious free safety on the Patriots' roster right now with McCourty retired. We simply haven't seen much of Dugger, Phillips or Peppers in that role donning Patriots uniforms. Jonathan Jones and Bryant actually have more experience at free safety. It's possible we could see one of those cornerbacks moved. Dugger, Phillips and Peppers are a solid combination at strong safety, however, and McCourty recently tweeted that he believed one of those players could take his spot next season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K Nick Folk
LS Joe Cardona
LS Tucker Addington

You might notice the Patriots don't currently have a punter. It's a good thing there's no game next week. It seems most likely at this point that New England will draft and develop a punter. They need a better option than Michael Palardy in 2023.

Featured image via Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports