Why analyst thinks 2024 Patriots can be 'like a mosquito'

The Patriots may not be a playoff team in their first season under new head coach Jerod Mayo, but ESPN NFL analyst Damien Woody believes New England could "annoy" fellow AFC East teams and other clubs throughout the 2024 campaign. 

"The Patriots are one of those teams that’s going to be like a mosquito," Woody explained on the latest edition of the "Eye on Foxborough" podcast, as shared by Karen Guregian of MassLive. "They’re going to get on your nerves because they have that defense that’s going to get on your nerves while the offense takes a little time to come together."

Specifically, Woody thinks the returns of cornerback Christian Gonzalez and star pass-rusher Matthew Judon will bolster a unit that, per ESPN stats, finished this past regular season ranked seventh in the NFL in total defense (301.6 yards surrendered per game). Gonzalez played in four contests as a rookie before he went down with a season-ending shoulder injury. Judon, meanwhile, missed most of the 2023 campaign because of a bicep injury.

On offense, the Patriots signed wide receiver K.J. Osborn in free agency before they acquired fellow receivers Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker during the 2024 NFL Draft. New England still lacks a true No. 1 option at that position, and Woody acknowledged that Polk and Baker would need an "opportunity to develop" before they potentially become home-run hitters playing alongside rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

"At the end of the day, I still think there’s still not enough explosive players, especially on the perimeter," Woody added about New England's offense, per Guregian. "There’s a lot more work that needs to be done. But again, that’s why this is a rebuild, and it’s a rebuild for a reason. This team was lacking in certain areas, particularly on offense." 

Mayo raised eyebrows when he said this past weekend that Maye "has a lot to work on" before the first-year pro starts a meaningful game ahead of veteran Jacoby Brissett. New England fans understandably are excited to see Maye in action, but Woody reminded everybody that the Patriots are still in the early stages of an organizational reset. 

The Patriots likely won't be in the division title race around Christmastime but nevertheless could make life difficult for opponents as Mayo grows in his first season serving as Bill Belichick's replacement.