With a collection of free agents already solidifying most of the roster, I’ve been focusing on a few under-the-radar Patriots to watch this summer. Obviously there are still plenty of personnel to be added that will affect these guys and how they fit into things, but right now here are some guys who could emerge into significant roles or finally fall off the roster.
Tyler Gaffney – The Pats swooped in and snagged Gaffney during the 2014 preseason after the Panthers tried to sneak him onto IR. He sat out 2014 and then got injured in training camp and missed all of 2015 as well. But one interesting tidbit about Gaffney was his appearance at the top of the Pats’ depth chart if you caught a peek at the wall of one scene as Nick Caserio walked into his office. Maybe it meant nothing. Or maybe it meant the Pats have/had high hopes for the Stanford grad. As of right now there’s still a big need at running back, one that Gaffney could theoretically fill, if he can stay healthy for the first time in three years.
Aaron Dobson – At this point no one is expecting much out of Dobson and for good reason, the last two years he’s ended up on IR and even when he’s on the field his development has stagnated after a promising rookie campaign where he grabbed 37 catches and four touchdowns. But Dobson has some skill and size, and is now entering his final year in New England. This is likely the last chance he has to save his football career, if not in New England, perhaps somewhere else. But he’ll need to put some great tape together during the preseason and should get plenty of chances to show if he can contribute anything at last.
Trey Flowers – With both Rob Ninkovich, Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard entering the last year’s of their deal, the Patriots are going to need Tre Flowers, Geneo Grissom and Rufus Johnson to step into a significant role at some point. Flowers looked like the most promising of the group last preseason. We saw some of Grissom during the season, often as an interior rusher before he got some DE snaps, but his home position remains a little unclear to me. Sheard should be extended, but Ninkovich is fast approaching the end of the line. Unless the Pats draft a defensive end this season, Flowers should get every chance to show if he has the potential to step into a starting role.
Jordan Richards – Richards was a surprise safety selection last year, chosen way before anyone thought he should be, but I thought he had some excellent flashes during spot work last season. He showed good instincts and tackling ability. Now, with Tavon Wilson gone, Richards should step into a more significant role on special teams at least. And he could be a Patrick Chung injury away from a starting role on defense. Is he ready for that kind of jump? It’s a vital role in the defense in their regular package, one that includes major run support and plenty of coverage responsibilities usually against tight ends. He could be thrust into the fire if injuries strike.