James Sanders

The Patriots have nine draft picks in the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft and while it’s unlikely that they will take nine players there is sure to be some talented new blood at training camp this summer, including any free agent acquisitions.

What it really comes down to is replacing the “solid but not spectacular” types with guys who “could potentially develop into spectacular” types.

Let’s take a look at 5 areas where players who had a significant role in 2010 might be looking for work in September.

1. Darius Butler – What a difference a year makes. Entering training camp of 2010 Butler was penciled in as a promising second year starter across from Leigh Bodden. It’s safe to say that had Bodden not gotten hurt, Butler wouldn’t even have been the starter at RCB in week one and two where he was torched and put on the bench for most of the remaining games. When Jonathan Wilhite went to IR it opened up a dime spot for Butler and he looked okay in that role. But he’s one of the most penalized corners in the NFL.

Butler has been penalized more yards than any other New England defensive back in each of the last two seasons (84 this year and 62 in 2009). His 146 penalty yards the last two years is fifth most in the NFL among defensive backs.

In 2011 Wilhite and Bodden will be back and the logical corner lineup appears to be McCourty and Bodden as the outside guys, Arrington as the nickelback and Wilhite in a dime slot role. Butler seems more of an outside guy so it might take another injury (Hoodie forbid) for him to stick around.

2. Ron Brace/Brandon Deaderick/Kyle Love Cage Match – With the return of Ty Warren, Mike Wright and Myron Pryor, along with the likely addition of at least one high round defensive lineman and possibly the re-signing of Gerard Warren, it’s likely that one, and maybe even two, of these young d-lineman could be out of a job or headed to the practice squad (not sure on eligibility).

It’s hard to tell who that would be. Deaderick and Brace both had off the field issues, while Love was undrafted but saw his playing time continue to grow as the 2010 season went on. You could make arguments for keeping or cutting just about any of them. But it’s clear that the competition along the defensive line will be fierce and that’s just the way you want it.

3. Tully Banta-Cain – TBC’s big contract, lack of production, susceptibility to losing contain, and penchant for untimely stupid penalties make him a real bubble player for 2011. His extension last off-season was probably more about him being a solid-not-spectacular player who knew the system and bought into the “Patriot Way”. But that will only get you so far.

Eric Moore started over him in the playoffs, and appears to be primed for an expanded role in 2011. Jermaine Cunningham should be healthy and much improved as well, and there’s a good chance a high round OLB will be drafted. What the Patriots need is a 3-down outside linebacker and TBC is never going to be one. He’ll need a big camp to stick around. 

4. Julian Edelman – I know a lot of the readers won’t like that Juju is on this list, and the fact is he still has a very good chance of still being with the Pats in 2011, but he will need to show more consistency in training camp. He ended 2010 strong, with some great punt returns. Clearly he adds value there, but his development as a receiver slowed in 2010, making a handful of untimely drops and miscues over the course of the season. If the Patriots bring in another receiver it’s likely Brandon Tate, Taylor Price and Edelman will have a pretty good competition to make the club. Given what each brings to the table, Juju could be on the short end of the stick. Certainly if looks are part of the competition he’s a roster lock, at least according to my female readers and tweeps.

5. Brandon Meriweather vs. James Sanders – There’s a pretty good chance that both these guys will be back in 2011, but there are reasons to think that one or both might not be. Sanders is a solid, but unspectacular pro. He’s due to make $2.6 million in 2011 which isn’t a huge number but compare that to the $650K Meriweather is due to make. Both are entering the last years of their deals.

Where Sanders might be a financial casualty, Meriweather might be more of a case of his stock never being higher. Ultimately his low salary will probably save him, but he’s consistently inconsistent and is far from a lock to be the free safety ballhawk of the future. I expect free safety to be a position that the Pats could draft higher than a lot of people expect this year. If they do it could come at the expense of Sanders or Meriweather.

Who do you guys think is most likely to not be a Pat in 2011?