Totally agree the swing is vast...last year's draft looks solid but the drafts the years prior are haunting them right now...I really hope BB understands that he can not build the team the same way he did with TB as well as the fact as currently constructed they are not going to be a destination for vets who will take a discount...I never worry about BB the Coach but right now it is BB the GM that controls the future...with all their cap space and a solid amount of draft picks as long as they have a functional QB they should be able to be a wildcard team with the makings of a solid foundation for the future.
Their recent drafts have been less than stellar, especially in the early rounds.
Obviously QB is their biggest need and most impactful question mark. I don't love the talk that Cam may return. Sure, I agree with all the reasons and explanations as to why things didn't work out (new team, no offseason, limited practice, complex playbook, COVID, injuries to other players, etc.). That being said, I think Newton can't be relied on when he needs to be, has shoulder issues, at times can't throw more than 10 yards, and is no longer close to the player he once was. His biggest contribution last year was he played for peanuts. Bill likes him, and that is a microcosm as to how they ended up in the situation they are in. Guys that are hardworking, coming off injuries, and cheap doesn't mean they are talented and productive.
When you look at their first round picks in recent years . . .
2020 - Traded out of the first round (Turned into Kyle Duggar)
2019 - Took N'Keal Harry at 1.32
2018 - Took Isaiah Wynn at 1.23 and Sony Michel at 1.31
2017 - Traded for Brandin Cooks (Who turned into the pick used on Wynn)
2016 - Pick forfeited due to Deflategate
2015 - Selected Malcolm Brown at 1.32
2014 - Picked Dominique Easley at 1.29
2013 - Traded out of first round (Turned into Jamie Collins and Logan Ryan)
2012 - Hit on both Chandler Jones at 1.21 and Dont'a Hightower at 1.25
2011 - Picked Nate Solder at 1.17
2010 - Moved down a few spots and took Devin McCourty at 1.27
They clearly had much better results from 2010-2013 than they did after that. Which is why when people hem and haw about trading draft picks to move up and draft a legit QB prospect I ask why are they so concerned? They haven't done great in recent drafts and the picks have been mostly wasted picks.
Unfortunately, their second round picks haven't done a heck of a lot either . . .
2020 - Traded pick for Mohamed Sanu
2019 - Traded up to draft Joejuan Williams
2018 - Drafted Duke Dawson
2017 - Traded pick for Kony Ealy
2016 - Drafted Cyrus Jones
2015 - Drafted Jordan Richards
2014 - Drafted Jimmy Garoppolo (After a series of trades, pick acquired for Jimmy G ended up turning into Damien Harris)
2013 - Drafted Jamie Collins and Aaron Dobson
2012 - Drafted Tavon Wilson
2011 - Drafted Ras-I Dowling and Shane Vereen
2010 - Drafted Rob Gronkowski, Jermaine Cunningham, and Brandon Spikes
It really boggles the mind that with that spotty draft resume they went to so many Super Bowls.