The 2022 season marked a statical decline in many areas for the New England Patriots. One of the most notable was the team’s special teams unit, which ended the year ranked dead last in Football Outsiders’ DVOA rating.
To help resolve that issue entering 2023, New England added several specialists in free agency, as well as in the NFL Draft. In free agency, that list was headlined by former Detroit Lion Chris Board Jr., who Bill Belichick called, “the best special teams player we’ll play against all year” prior to their Week 5 matchup last season.