new england patriots

Much will be made over the coming weeks of which free agents and draftees the Patriots should go after, but what about the guys already on the roster? One of the always underestimated elements of change over an off-season is the improvement  of players who are already in the pipeline.

Here are my top five Patriots that I think the team most needs to make a jump.

1. Ras-I Dowling – Ras-I missed most of training camp yet suddenly played 67 of 77 snaps versus the Dolphins in the opener. No other player has the potential to positively impact the Patriots defense like Dowling does. He’s got the size they desperately need and apparently the skills to lock down one of the outside corner spots, which could allow Kyle Arrington into his more natural fit in the slot.

2. Markell Carter – Carter won 7 of 13 possible black jerseys this year as practice player of the week, while also adding over 16 pounds of mass since joining the Patriots, going from 252 to 268 pounds. While Jermaine Cunningham cannot be overlooked, Carter could very well be an impact player in 2012 with a full off-season. It looks like he has the size to play in the 4-3 or 3-4 and his development could very well factor into Andre Carter’s potential return.

3. Marcus Cannon – With a full off-season to complete his cancer recovery I’d love to see a big jump out of Cannon. Just the fact that he contributed like he did this year (9 games total, including 77 snaps against the Dolphins in December) is an incredibly positive sign. The real question is where Cannon projects long term. If he can go to right guard he should jump instantly into the mix with Dan Connolly and Ryan Wendell if Brian Waters doesn’t return. And if he remains a tackle we saw this year you can never have too many of them. 

4.  Shane Vereen – Vereen only played 26 snaps in his rookie year, but flashed some explosiveness, especially against the Chiefs. The Pats had the luxury of bringing him along slowly after he battled a hamstring injury for a good chunk of the year. While Stevan Ridley should continue to increase his role despite late season fumbles, it’s Vereen who is the real wild card. Let’s not forget he was the higher rated prospect and was drafted before Ridley. Vereen is explosive and if he can translate that explosiveness in the NFL he’ll bring an added dimension to the Patriots offense that is badly needed.

5. Dane Fletcher – one of the great questions of the Super Bowl for me is why Tracy White was playing over Fletcher when the Pats went with their “fast nickel” package. White had barely seen the field once Spikes and Fletcher returned, including 0 snaps compared to Fletcher’s 10 in the AFCCG. With Gary Guyton likely gone this off-season Fletcher looks like he’ll be the primary back up inside linebacker to Spikes and Mayo, with a specialty in pass coverage. Barring the addition of a veteran I’d expect Fletcher to be significant part of the defense, and he’ll need to be in peak condition so that he can stay healthy. The thumb injury that plagued him all season can finally heal and Fletcher can continue his development.

Honorable Mention

Julian Edelman – continued development as Welker insurance at WR, and as a return specialist.

Jermaine Cunningham – 2011 was a lost year for Cunningham, he was battling injury all season long. If he returns to health I think he will again be a considerable factor on defense due to her toughness and versatility.

Devin McCourty – McCourty needs the off-season to get back on track physically and mentally. I expect him to show 2011 was nothing more than a sophomore slump.

Ron Brace – Brace needs to dominate this training camp from start to finish or else he’s probably looking for work somewhere else. He’s shown flashes but it will truly be now or never in 2012.