With Patriots Training Camp coming up, many players will be fighting to make the 53 Man Roster. Now, of course, there's always a few players who are locks to make it. Whether that's because they are a young player with lots of potential, drafted with an early pick, or because they are a proven star who we need on the roster, there are always a lot of players who we know will make it. But what about everybody else? They have to fight for their spot on the final roster, so here are 5 positions that have a few of those fringe guys battling for their spot on the roster, or fighting for their spot as a starter on the depth chart, that will be worth looking out for at Pats Camp.
Number 5: Running Backs
With the Patriots young and improving running back core, you've gotta imagine there's gonna be a lot of competition between who will make it, plus it will be interesting to see who will be getting playing time, and first team reps in practice. Now it seems close to a lock that Damien Harris will be our RB1, but everything else is up in the air. Harris started in all 10 games that he played last season. Harris averaged 5.0 Yards Per Carry last season, which was top 7 among qualifying RBs. Harris finished ahead of names like Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, and Ezekiel Elliot.
Although Sony Michel didn't qualify for the stat, he would have been 2nd in Yards Per Carry, finishing only behind Ravens RB JK Dobbins. Michel racked up 449 yards on 79 carries, compared to his 2019 season where he had just over double the amount of yards, but also had more than 3 times the amount of attempts.
James White was our running back 3 last year, but he is a proven veteran, and one of the best receiving backs in the league. The Super Bowl 51 Hero caught 49 passes for 375 yards in 14 games last season. White did regress a bit last season, but he still will be a good receiver coming out of the backfield.
Even though Brandon Bolden, who opted out of last season due to Covid, hardly gets any playing time as a running back, he is an elite Special Teamer who has strived under Bill Belichick.
JJ Taylor strived in camp last year after being picked up as an Undrafted Free Agent. Taylor spent most of last year on the Practice Squad, being elevated to the 53 Man Roster for 5 games, and getting carries in 4 of them. Taylor, who received lots of praise from Running Backs Coach Ivan Fears throughout last season, averaged 4.8 Yards Per Carry.
There's also 4th round pick Rhamondre Stevenson. Although Belichick doesn't typically give rookies much playing time, Stevenson has a chance to be a real threat coming out of the Patriots backfield, being a very solid powerback in college.
Finally, there's a former Patriot Tyler Gaffney. Gaffney has spent team on and off of multiple rosters, including spending some time playing professional baseball as an Outfielder for the Bradenton Marauders.
So what should we be looking for? Watch to see how many of the backs out of Stevenson, Taylor, and Bolden, make the roster. Specifically see if Stevenson gets put on IR with the Foxboro Flu, or if Belichick decides to put Stevenson right into the gameday rosters.
Number 4: Corner Backs
The Patriots cornerback core has been an interesting one for a few years now. Our best cornerback, Stephon Gilmore, is currently holding out for a new contract. The 2019 Defensive Player Of The Year is currently set to make only $7 Million this year, which is almost a third of the amount that top paid corner Jalen Ramsey is set to make. In fact, two times of Gilmore's salary still wouldn't even make him a top 3 highest paid cornerback in the AFC East. Xavien Howard and Byron Jones of the Dolphins, and Tre'Devious White of the Bills, are all making more than twice Gilmore's salary. Gilmore is expected to get a pay raise before Training Camp starts, however the situation is still something to monitor.
Cornerback JC Jackson was extravagant last year, with the 2nd most interceptions in the league (9), and being tied for the 8th most PBUs last season (14). However, Jackson struggles when moved to Cornerback 1, in the weeks that Stephon Gilmore was injured. It's not known if Jackson will be able to make that jump to being a top CB1 this year if Gilmore doesn't play.
Next up would be Jonathan Jones, a hidden gem who has been great for us in the last few years. Not only is he an elite special teamer, but he's a very speedy corner who had 2 INTs last year, along with 6 PBUs and 1 Forced Fumble. But not only can Jones preform great on the field, he's only missed one game in his 5 years in New England, where he missed a week 16 matchup against the Bills.
Now here is where things start getting shaky. The Patriots have 6 other players listed as a cornerback on their current depth chart. Jalen Mills, a free agent we picked up from the Eagles, who could really play corner, safety, or linebacker.
Then there's Joejuan Williams, who was drafted in the 2nd round in 2019, but has barely seen any playtime since then. Williams saw the field on 17% of defensive snaps last year, where he recorded 2 PBUs, and allowed 6 catches for 136 yards and 1 touchdown on 11 attempts.
There's also Myles Bryant, an Undrafted Free Agent who we picked up in 2020. Bryant played in just 7 games last season, and recorded 9 tackles, a PBU, and an interception. Both his PBU, and his interception, came in a 24-3 loss against the Los Angeles Rams.
Everybody else practically hasn't seen the field. Michael Jackson Sr, D'Angelo Ross, and Dee Virgin. Michael Jackson has only 1 tackle in his whole NFL career. Ross hasn't played a single NFL game in his career. The Patriots signed him as an Undrafted Free Agent in 2019, and has spent all of his career on the Practice squad. And finally, Dee Virgin, who has spent the last 3 years playing for the Detroit Lions, has 1 Forced Fumble, and 12 tackles.
Make sure to be looking out for if Gilmore will be coming back, if Williams gets lots of reps, and if any of Myles Bryant, Michael Jackson, D'Angelo Ross, and Dee Virgin make the 53 Man Roster, or the practice squad.
Number 3: Tight Ends
It's no secret that the Patriots underwent serious changes at the Tight End position this year, going from one of the worst Tight End cores in the league, to one of the best. Bill Belichick went out and signed two star TEs in Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, giving both of them $12.5 Million per year contracts.
Smith, a former Titan, although only grabbing 41 receptions for 448 yards, he was able to get 8 touchdowns. But not only is Smith a good receiver, he is also an elite blocker. The Patriots have Smith under contract for the next 4 years, until he is 29 years old.
And of course, like I said before, the Patriots also picked up Tight End Hunter Henry, who used to play for the Chargers. Henry had just over 600 yards last season, on 60 catches. Henry and Smith are expected to be used together in 2 TE sets, much like how New England used Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez when they were on the team together.
Then there's Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene, who were both drafted in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft last year. Neither of them had the type of season that anybody wanted them to have, but Asiasi stands out a little bit more.
Asiasi recorded 2 receptions, 39 yards, and 1 TD last season, with all of those stats coming from a week 17 win against the Jets. Dalton Keene recorded one more reception than Asiasi, but he only had 16 yards, and he had one fumble. Asiasi also looks to have improved significantly from last season, after playing very well in OTA's. However, Keene could see a role at the fullback position this year instead of Tight End, as he played in the backfield a lot in college.
There's also Troy Fumagalli. Fumagalli, a former Bronco, has racked up 14 receptions for 118 yards and 2 Touchdowns in the last two seasons.
And finally, there's Matt LaCosse. LaCosse opted out of last years season due to covid, but had 13 receptions for 131 yards in 2019.
So while watching the Patriots practice, I would look for how Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry are used together, if Dalton Keene is used as a fullback at all, and I would look to see if Keene, Asiasi, Fumagalli or LaCosse get any significant playing time during practice.
Number 2: Wide Receivers
The Patriots wide receiving core has lots of question marks around it. On Tuesday evening, it was announced that WR N'Keal Harry has requested a trade to leave the Patriots. Harry, a first round pick in 2019, has failed to produce as well as anybody hoped he would. Harry, in the last two years, has played in 21 games, and caught 45 passes for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns. But not only are the Patriots down Harry, they also lost Superbowl MVP Julian Edelman, as he decided to retire after being injured for most of this last season.
The Patriots knew they had to help out their lackluster receiving core, signing former Raider Nelson Agholor, and former 49er Kendrick Bourne. There are still lots of questions surrounding this group of players, with no truly proven WR1, and lots of question marks surrounding everybody outside our top 3 receivers, with nobody really knowing who our WR 4 or 5 will be.
Jakobi Meyers was by far our best receiver last year, catching 59 passes for just over 700 yards. That might not sound all that impressive, but when Meyers was given an opportunity to get some yards, he almost always capitalized. Meyers got lots of reps at WR1 during OTA's, but it is unknown if he'll really be able to step up this season and be a true number 1 receiver.
Then there's Nelson Agholor, who we signed this offseason to a two year deal. Agholor played all 16 games last season, catching 48 passes for 896 yards, and 8 touchdowns. Agholor averaged 18.7 Yards Per Catch this season, the 2nd most in the NFL. His 896 yards was the most he's had in his career, and his 8 touchdowns is tied for the most, with his 2017 season.
The Patriots also signed Kendrick Bourne to a three year deal. Bourne the best season of his 4 year career so far last year. He caught 49 passes for 667 yards and 2 touchdowns. Bourne played alongside WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk last season, and with TE George Kittle. Bourne has shown he can strive as a 3rd-5th option, so it will be interesting to see if he'll do just as well in that position in New England.
After that is where it gets a bit questionable. On the current depth chart, the WR4 is Gunner Olszewski. Olszewski has proven to be an elite punt returner, earning a First Team All-Pro selection last season, as he finished with the most yards per return in the NFL, with 17.3 yards per return, almost 6 yards more than Jakeem Grant, who had the 2nd most yards per return. Although he is an elite returner, he hasn't been given much of a chance at WR. He's had multiple incredible highlights in camp, but barely has played at WR in games, with only 5 receptions for 62 yards and 1 TD last season.
Placed after Gunner on the depth chart is Isaiah Zuber. Zuber, an UDFA from last year, spent most of the season on the practice squad. However, he performed well when elevated to the 53 man roster, getting 2 receptions on 2 targets for 29 yards, along with 21 rushing yards on 2 attempts. Nothing to write home about, of course, but he showed he has a good chance to make the roster in the future.
Marvin Hall, a former Lion who we picked up in Free Agency, caught 18 passes for 302 yards last season, along with 2 touchdowns. Although the decent year last season, he's by no means guaranteed a roster spot this year. There are multiple younger players than him who could jump up above him if they play well in camp.
After Marvin Hall, there's Devin Smith. Smith, a former Jet and Cowboy, caught 5 passes in 2019 for 113 yards, and a touchdown. Smith played for New York in 2015 and 2016, and Dallas in 2019. Although he didn't play last year, he could sneak his way onto the roster.
The Patriots also got a late round WR in Tre Nixon, who we picked in the 7th round. And although Nixon, who played for UCF, didn't play last season, he caught 49 passes for 830 yards and 7 TDs in 2019. Nixon could be a dark horse candidate to make the roster if he performs well during camp.
New England also has Kristian Wilkerson, who spent most of last season on the practice squad last year. Although he has no stats in the NFL, Wilkerson still could shine in camp and make the roster.
And finally, there's Devin Ross, who spent some time on the Titans from 2018-2019, then was on the Eagles roster for about a month, then spent some time on the Practice Squad last year. Ross has been on and off multiple rosters, but he could find a long term spot for himself on our roster this year. If he does amazing in camp and the preseason, he could make it.
Watch to see who gets reps as the number 1 receiver, and look out to see if Gunner Olszewksi gets much play time at receiver. After that, just watch Zuber, Hall, Smith, Nixon, Wilkerson, and Ross. Although Zuber is the current favorite to win a roster spot, the spot is really up for grabs for anybody to get it.
Number 1: Quarterbacks
I mean, l think this should have been pretty expected. But trust me, this isn't only a fight for QB1. There's much more than that, with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer still on the roster.
Starting out, we got Cam Newton. The 2015 MVP is obviously the current favorite to win the job of QB1. However, Cam had a lackluster season last year, throwing for only 2657 yards and 8 touchdowns, along with 10 interceptions, in 15 games. And although he was a solid rusher, getting 592 yards and 12 touchdowns, he just simply the SuperCam that we all wanted to see. Newton played well throughout the first few games of the season, before testing positive for COVID-19. Newton was significantly worse after that, and just wasn't able to bounce back at all.
Also competing for QB1 is rookie Mac Jones. The Alabama QB led his team to a National Title last year, and was selected by the Patriots with the 15th overall pick in this years draft. To most, it was thought that there was close to no chance that Jones would start the season out as the starter, as Belichick wouldn't let a rookie come in and run the offense right away. But Jones has shined in camp, and now it's a real competition between him and Newton to become our Starting Quarterback.
Coming in behind Mac Jones is NFL journeyman Brian Hoyer. Hoyer is an 11 year vet, who has spent 6 years playing for the Patriots. However last year, in his one start, he disappointed, putting up lackluster numbers, and making multiple crucial mistakes that led to a Patriots loss. Although he is a good veteran presence to have in the locker room, he's gonna have to fight for his roster spot.
Lastly, there's Jarrett Stidham. Stidham hasn't proven much of anything in his 2 year career. He was drafted in the 4th round of 2019, and since then, hasn't started a single game. Although many thought at one point that he could be the future of the Patriots, it seems like Stidham's time in the NFL may be coming to an end soon, as he may not even make the roster this year.
So when watching the QBs at practice, look to see who's getting the most 1st team reps, and the most 3rd team reps. The 2 battles are really Newton vs Jones for QB1, and Hoyer vs Stidham for QB3.
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