With the NFL draft and 2021 season just around the corner it is time to take a look at where things stand with the Patriots’ depth chart. It is also a great time to get a jump on your 2021 NFL betting plan by taking a look at the top 5 NFL betting apps on Gamble USA. There are some great offers out there so take advantage now as football betting is only going to become more popular in the future.
Quarterback: (3)
Cam Newton
Jarrett Stidham
Jake Dolegala
If Cam can rebound with a full year under his belt in the Patriots system then the offense could be in decent shape. A lot of 2 Tight End sets should mean shorter passes in a system that is run first to open up the play action. The Patriots will not ask Cam to be Tom Brady, but he must meet us halfway. There was talk about the condition of Newton’s shoulder and how Covid affected him, but the accuracy was laughable at times last year. No long-term plan means the Patriots most likely take a chance on a QB later in the draft. Jamie Newman from Wake Forest (and Georgia for a hot minute) is a project with high potential upside if he can work on his accuracy.
Running Back: (5)
Damien Harris
James White
Sony Michel
JJ Taylor
Brandon Bolden
This running back group is fantastic with the 1-2 punch of Harris and Michel while White and Taylor handle pass catching duties. With James White back on only a one-year deal look for the Patriots to add another running back somewhere in the draft and redshirt them. I do not expect White to be back next offseason and I think either JJ Taylor or the new RB we select in this year’s draft will handle the pass catching duties in 2022. Rex Burkhead is still a free agent and there is a good chance that he finds his way back to Foxboro.
Fullbacks: (2)
Jakob Johnson
Dan Vitale
While many analysts are penciling in Jakob Johnson as the starter, I for one think that the starter is Vitale. Johnson is young and still has a lot to learn about the position. He had some great film last season but was god awful filling in for Devlin two years ago. Vitale offers a type of athleticism that the Patriots have never had at the position. McDaniels should be giddy dreaming up ways to install Vitale into the offense like how the 49ers use Kyle Juszczyk. Someone who is a threat in the play action and can leak out for a big gain. The Patriots can line Vitale up in multiple positions like they used to with Aaron Hernandez. Similarly, Dalton Keene offers athleticism and versatility that could result in him lining up in a flex TE/FB hybrid role.
Wide Receivers: (9)
Nelson Agholor
Jakobi Meyers
Kendrick Bourne
Julian Edelman
N’Keal Harry
Gunner Olszewski
Isaiah Zuber
Kristian Wilkerson
Devin Smith
One thing that this Wide Receiver group lacks is a true speed deep threat that can take the top off the defense. Look for them to add this piece in the draft. Anthony Schwartz (Auburn), Shi Smith (South Carolina), and Elijah Moore (Ole Miss) are all burners that the Patriots could get later in the draft. The current WR group could be a lot weaker than it initially appears if Edelman isn’t good to go and I do not know that Bourne is that much more of an upgrade over Meyers as they both offer a similar skillset. Don’t even get me started on Harry….
Tight End: (5)
Hunter Henry
Jonnu Smith
Devin Asiasi
Dalton Keene
Matt LaCosse
I expect LaCosse to be cut or traded (pick up a nice chunk of cap if that happens), but otherwise this group is stacked. Expect a lot of 2 Tight End sets for both the run game and the play action.
Offensive Tackles: (5)
Isaiah Wynn
Trent Brown
Justin Herron
Korey Cunningham
Yodny Cajuste
Personally, I think Wynn slides inside to left guard and Onwenu plays right tackle. Trent Brown should find success back at his left tackle position. Cajuste offers a nice depth piece and when healthy should be the first backup tackle and the starting swing tackle.
Offensive Guard: (4)
Shaq Mason
Michael Onwenu
Ross Reynolds
Najee Toran
Mason and Wynn (Onwenu if they keep Wynn at tackle) should be the week 1 starters. Look for the Patriots to draft an interior lineman that can play both the guard and center position in this year’s draft. Ted Karras can fill this role for now but is back on only a one-year deal. The Patriots are a sucker for versatility and UW-Whitewater’s Quinn Meinerz can play this role while being as tough as they come. Josh Meyers and Aaron Banks both offer position versatility for a later round price tag.
Center: (3)
David Andrews
Ted Karras
Marcus Martin
Great to have Andrews back as the starter for the foreseeable future. Karras will be next man up for both the center and guard position.
Edge Defenders: (6)
Matthew Judon
Kyle Van Noy
Chase Winovich
Josh Uche
Tashawn Bower
Rashod Berry
The top four of Judon, Van Noy, Winovich, and Uche has the potential to be a scary sight for opponents’ offenses. Zaven Collins is a very real possibility at pick #15 to play the Jamie Collins role especially with Hightower going into the last year of his deal.
Defensive Lineman: (11)
Lawrence Guy
Davon Godchaux
Deatrich Wise
Henry Anderson
Byron Cowart
Montravius Adams
Carl Davis
Nick Thurman
Akeem Spence
Bill Murray
Michael Barnett
The Patriots locked up their run defense in a big way this offseason. The lineman should work through a rotation depending upon the situation, but two names that stick out as underrated performers (aside from Mr. Underrated Lawrence Guy) are Wise and Cowart. Both get limited playing time but seem to seize the opportunity when called upon. I expect both to take a step forward this season. I particularly like how Wise can lineup on the edge or inside. One thing that this group lacks is interior pressure in passing situations. Alabama’s Christian Barmore can help solve this problem as he is the best interior threat in the draft. Later round options include Osa Odighizuma from UCLA or Levi Onwuzurike from Washington both have great pass rush ability.
Linebackers: (6)
Dont’a Hightower
Ja’Whaun Bentley
Anfernee Jennings
Raekwon McMillan
Terez Hall
LaRoy Reynolds
Overall the group is solid and better than what we had last season. If Micah Parsons falls to #15 (I highly doubt he does) I think that the Patriots must take him. Parsons seems to find the ball on every single play with similar instincts to Luke Kuechly or Devin White. KJ Britt out of Auburn shined at the Senior Bowl and seems to have a Patriots’ Day 3 selection written all over him. As I mentioned above, with Hightower on the last year of his deal it might not be a bad idea to find his successor. Look for Jennings to improve in year 2 as he is probably the best cover linebacker in the group. McMillan is a very intriguing prospect that seems like he would thrive in New England if he can knock the injury bug that has followed him throughout his career.
Cornerbacks: (7)
Stephon Gilmore
JC Jackson
Jonathan Jones
Joejuan Williams
D’Angelo Ross
Michael Jackson
Dee Virgin
Perhaps the best cornerback group in the entire NFL from top to bottom it wouldn’t shock me to see the Patriots draft a corner at #15 or early in the draft. The reason being is both Gilmore and Jackson will enter free agency next season. Surtain II will most likely be gone by the time the Patriots are on the clock, so Jaycee Horn is the next best prospect. Asante Samuel Jr. out of Florida State has the Patriots bloodline and could be a day 2 selection by New England. Jackson thrives in the #2 role while Jones is a great slot corner. I expect a combination of Williams and Dugger to replace the Chung role.
Safeties: (5)
Devin McCourty
Jalen Mills
Adrian Phillips
Kyle Dugger
Myles Bryant
Nothing needs to be said about Devin McCourty, lock him in the starting lineup. Mills has a Patriots motor and position versatility that will get him on the field early on in his New England career. Phillips could have been the defensive MVP last season with how he stepped up and played a hybrid linebacker role. Expect more big things from Phillips this season. Dugger showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season and should be a star in the making. Bryant was often highlighted in many of the practice and training camp reports. Look for him to contribute more this season.
Specialists: (8)
Nick Folk
Roberto Aguayo
Jake Bailey
Joe Cardona
Matthew Slater
Justin Bethel
Cody Davis
Brandon King
After a great season last year Nick Folk should be the starting kicker opening day. Roberto Aguayo is a practice squad lock that offers high potential upside if he can find his stroke that he had at FSU. Jake Bailey is a STUD who is by far the best punter in the league. Slater and Bethel never get enough credit and are a threat every single punt.
