The New England Patriots were one of the most active teams in NFL free agency during the first week, but how does your depth chart now shape? With several new additions, as well as players returning from withdrawal in 2020, the Patriots depth chart has taken on a fascinating shape.
New England Patriots depth chart | Offense
After an intriguing first week of the new NFL season, what is the shape of the Patriots depth chart in attack?
Quarterback
1) Cam Newton
2) Jarrett Stidham
3) Jacob Dolegala
After spending the 2020 season in New England, Cam Newton returns to the Patriots at the top of the QB depth chart. Although 2020 did not go quite as planned, the Patriots were willing to reinvest in Newton. As it stands, Stidham is the backup on the depth chart, but the Patriots could be at stake for a QB like Marcus Mariota if the Raiders release you?
Running back
1) Damien Harris
2) Sony Michel
3) JJ Taylor
4) Brandon Bolden
Damien Harris was a revelation at the top of the Patriots RB depth chart in 2020. Harris had some superb games and really consolidated his place as the running back in 2021. On the other hand, Sony Michel will be desperate to prove itself in the last year of your newbie contract. Taylor could assume the role of passing on James White, while Bolden’s presence is more about a potential role in special teams.
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The Patriots also have Jakob Johnson and Dan Vitale in their depth table as a defender. Johnson should be the favorite for the summer checklist.
Wide Receiver
1) Julian Edelman
2) Nelson Agholor
3) Kendrick Bourne
4) Jakobi Meyers
5) N’Keal Harry
The wide receiver’s depth chart took a huge hit with the arrival of Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. Edelman is probably still option number 1, although his role is probably out of place. On the outside, Bourne and Agholor should come in as the main options. Meyers had a good relationship with Newton last season, but he probably fell through the ranks.
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There has been a lot of talk that Harry is leaving New England. The Patriots may still feel they can do something with the previous selection from the first round, but it appears to be buried in the depth chart for now.
The other names in the depth table currently include Gunner Olszewski and Matthew Slater, who are expected to play important roles in special teams.
Tight End
1) Jonnu Smith
2) Hunter Henry
3) Dalton Keene
4) Devin Asiasi
5) Matt LaCosse
The Patriots certainly invested heavily in their tight-end depth chart this off-season. Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry will earn an average of $ 25 million per year. As a result, the Patriots will likely seek to return to the double TE configuration they had a few years ago. Look for Smith to be a tight end that will line up throughout the attack.
The other names in this depth chart are both chosen from last season’s draft in Keene and Asiasi. Consequently, the arrivals of Smith and Henry probably indicate that the Patriots were not impressed with what they saw of these two as newbies.
Offensive Line
LT: Isaiah Wynn
LG: Shaq Mason
C: David Andrews
RG: Michael Onwenu
RT: Trent Brown
Backups: Justin Herron (OT), Korey Cunningham (OT), Yodny Cajuste (OT), Marcus Martin (OG), Ross Reynolds (OG), Najee Toran (OG), Ted Karras (C)
The return of Andrews and Brown makes the Patriots’ offensive line look strong for 2021. It will be interesting to see how the Patriots line up in terms of guards.
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Before bringing Andrews back, the Patriots added Karras, who could transition to a guard role if Mason or Onwenu fought on the training ground. Marcus Cannon’s trade leaves Wynn stuck on the left tackle while the Patriots seek to rate him as his future left tackle.
New England Patriots depth chart | Defense
After making some initial additions, how does the Patriots depth chart form on defense?
Inner Defense Line
1) Henry Anderson
2) Davon Godchaux
3) Byron Cowart
4) Akeem Spence
5) Tashawn Bower
The Patriots play a very fluid formation, which makes it difficult to define exactly who will be the starting eleven in defense. Cowart is likely to be the starting striker, but if the Patriots play a 4-3 save at times, he may be the only opponent. The two names that must be consistent contributors are Anderson and Godchaux after they joined during the free agency.
BORDER
1) Matt Judon
2) Deatrich Wise
3) Chase Winovich
4) Kyle Van Noy
5) Josh Uche
The Patriots depth chart for pass rushers is impressive. This group will certainly be able to rotate and maintain constant pressure on the opposing defenders.
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Judon should be the featured player, but the addition of Van Noy brings incredible depth. Wise and Judon have the ability to play as defensive ends in a 4-3, as well as being options in the 3-4 scheme of the Patriots they drive.
Winovich, Van Noy and Uche are best suited for an external linebacker’s quick-pass role. This group is extremely versatile and Uche may even end up playing the role of linebacker as his career progresses.
Defender
1) Ja’Whaun Bentley
2) It is not a Hightower
3) Raekwon McMillan
4) Brandon King
5) Josh Uche
In the absence of Hightower, Bentley made his name in New England. Behind these two, however, the Patriots depth graph on the linebacker is somewhat fluid. This is where the hybrid nature of the Patriots’ defense comes into play. They have players more traditionally seen as EDGE players who can enter the linebacker while having security guards who can introduce themselves and contribute as linebackers as well.
Cornerback
1) Stephon Gilmore
2) JC Jackson
3) Jonathan Jones
4) Joejuan Williams
5) Michael Jackson
The Patriots have an excellent pair of cornerbacks in Stephon Gilmore and JC Jackson. The depth in the position is somewhat questionable. Still, with four potential initial security options on the list, they could use one of them in a slot corner role, similar to how they used Patrick Chung for many years.
The Patriots hope to get some progression from Williams, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Patriots approached the cornerback in the NFL Draft 2021.
Safety
1) Devin McCourty
2) Adrian Phillips
3) Jalen Mills
4) Kyle Dugger
5) Justin Bethel
The Patriots depth graph is safe from top to bottom quality. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one or two of them playing a hybrid role as a slot machine corner or a linebacker at times this season.
McCourty is probably at the end of his career, but he is still a valuable leader. Phillips had a strong season, while Mills arrives in New England through a free agency. Dugger was seen as a type of hybrid security in the 2020 NFL Draftand therefore, can be a candidate for linebacker in downs passes.
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