Patriots signing of DeAndre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook would make them instant Super Bowl contenders

So far this offseason, rumors involving the Patriots have been more exciting than their actual transactions. The Patriots didn’t make any real big free agent splashes. They signed a couple of journeyman offensive linemen, lost a veteran running back, had a potential Hall of Fame safety retire, and signed JuJu Smith-Schuster essentially to replace their most productive receiver in Jakobi Myers.

The biggest news was Bill O’Brien replacing Matt Patricia as offensive coordinator. Rumors were circulating hard core that the Patriots may have been interested in restricted free agent quarterback Lamar Jackson before he signed an extension to stay in Baltimore. The argument being the Patriots needed a dynamic quarterback that could keep up with the other quarterbacks, not only in their conference, but in their division. They needed some buzz.

Then there was the draft. Again, rumors circulated that the Patriots were interested in trading for Arizona’s DeAndre Hopkins. Fans were speculating what draft picks and how many draft picks it would take to land the future Hall of Famer.

When the draft started with no trade made, speculation was the Patriots would land a wide receiver, offensive tackle, or tight end to help quarterback Mac Jones on either Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft. Instead the Patriots went defense with their first three draft picks, completely ignoring the offense.

Fast forward to current day and the biggest change to the Patriots’ offense remains Bill O’Brien. The offensive talent, or lack thereof, on the field remains pretty much the same. The difference now is that Hopkins is a free agent. He is sitting out there to be had without having to lose any draft picks. All it is going to take is money, and lots of it.

In addition to Hopkins, former Minnesota Vikings All-Pro running back Dalvin Cook is just sitting out there as a surprise free agent. I’ll be honest - when I heard Cook was released I was shocked, but I figured there was no fit in New England for him although it would have been nice. Speculation was the Dolphins was a sure thing to land Cook, but Cook recently refused a visit to Miami.

But when the Patriots released backup running back James Robinson after having already lost Damien Harris to free agency, and Cook tweeted to Hopkins that they should join forces on the same team, my ears perked up.

For a coach who is fond of saying that the only reason he does things is to make the team better, Belichick needs to find a way to accomodate Cook. If he can do it, the Patriots become Super Bowl contenders. You read that right. The Patriots go from being an eight-win team to a twelve-win team overnight. New England already has a Super Bowl caliber defense. With the addition of Cook and Hopkins, they would have the firepower on the field to keep up with Buffalo and Kansas City in the AFC - something that cannot be said as things are currently. Finally, the offensive talent would match the defensive talent and the offensive intellect of O’Brien.

An under the radar loss for the Patriots this offseason was losing running back Damien Harris to Buffalo. Despite the position of running back being diminished in today’s NFL, it is necessary that teams have a two-headed monster in the backfield. Everyone knows Rhamondre Stevenson is a stud, but with the roster as currently constituted, he will wear down by the end of the season. It is almost laughable to call Cook a backup or a third down back, but the 27-year-old would immediately be the best backup in the NFL.

And us New Englanders know how it gets in the winter time. It sounds old fashioned, and while it may not apply to the rest of the NFL, it still applies to teams like New England and Buffalo - defense and running games win games in December and January. It has been one of Buffalo’s fatal flaws during this Josh Allen tenure - their weakness at running back.

With Stevenson and Cook in the backfield, the Patriots could ground and pound with the best of them, thus alleviating pressure on Mac Jones and making play action way more effective. The addition of Hopkins would keep safeties honest and have to respect the passing game. It just makes too much sense.

If Belichick honestly believes he only makes decisions based on making the team better, he needs to sign both Hopkins and Cook. Patriots' fans would be willing to forgive Belichick for his many mistakes since the loss of Tom Brady. New England would be back on the NFL map. Let's go!!!!