With training camp looming, we’ve decided to rate the Patriots’ roster, counting down the most valuable from No. 90 to No. 1. “Valuable” can be defined on multiple levels, but for purposes of this exercise, we’re going to take a few different things into account: talent, dependability, track record of success in the system, and their individual spot on the depth chart. (Basically: How badly would things be if they were removed from the lineup?)
There are some cases — namely, the first-year players — where it’s tough to predict where they should land. But based on their performances in the spring workouts and having talked to teammates and people around the league, we took our best shot.
Part 1
Part 2
We continue our series Wednesday with No. 72 through No. 64. You’re going to see at least half this group find a way to stick around this year, either by having an impressive summer, finding a spot on the practice squad or getting a break and landing on the back end of the final 53.
72. Nicholas Grigsby: A linebacker who made some big hits on special teams in 2017, he reminds me a bit of former Patriot Tracy White, who had the same role with the franchise a few years back. (And I say that as a compliment.) Bill Belichick loves his special teamers, and by the end of 2017, Grisgby was close to being one of the core guys. Not sure how much that’ll help his chances when it comes to making the 2018 roster, but that sort of history certainly can’t hurt his chances.
71. Keion Crossen: It’s going to be a challenge for this rookie cornerback to make a dent on the 53-man roster, but with almost world-class speed, the Patriots will find a way to keep him around. Plus, he’s got a dynamite backstory.
70. Ulrick John: Lot of competition for a backup spot along the offensive line, which means he’s going to have to hit the ground running come late July. Good way to measure how John (and other newcomers) are doing? Can you hear Dante Scarnecchia bellowing at them during camp? If not, it probably means good things. Ultimately, John will have to do his best to take advantage of what might be limited playing time this summer in a quest to land on the final 53-man roster.
69. Matt Tobin: A lot of what we said about John applies to Tobin as well. While we couldn’t get a real sense of where some of the new offensive linemen were in their development because the pads hadn’t gone on, he appeared to fit in naturally over the course of the spring workouts as an interior presence. He’ll need a few things to break his way, but if it all comes together for him, he’ll be on the short-list of potential backup offensive linemen come Labor Day.
68. Christian Sam: Lots of questions here. Sam (and fellow rookie linebacker Bentley) will have to battle for playing time on two fronts: one, on special teams against the likes of Grigsby. And two, the back end of the linebacking depth chart against youngsters like Marquis Flowers and Elandon Roberts. Can he hold up? It’s not going to be easy. Sam’s versatility could be what ultimately sets him apart.
67. Ja’Whaun Bentley: The only three-year captain in the history of Purdue football, this rookie linebacker gets the slight edge over Sam here because of the intangibles. An All-Big Ten selection last year according to Pro Football Focus, he also flashed some versatility at the Senior Bowl which could come into play as a rookie. He’s one to watch this summer.
66. Ralph Webb: Pretty much all you need to know about this running back out of Vandy is the Patriots gave him $70,000 guaranteed as an undrafted free agent, a nice haul for a guy who wasn’t picked. (He’s reportedly among the highest-paid UDFA’s in the league.) Given the crowded backfield this year, I wouldn’t look for him to necessarily be a big contributor in 2018, but 2019 and beyond. The money they threw at him is more of a sign New England is interested in keeping him around by any means necessary and developing him into a lead back over the next two years.
65. Cole Croston: The winner of the Shane Vereen Redshirt Award — as a rookie, he took a remarkable 13 healthy scratches in the regular season and two more in the postseason. It’s easy to laugh at that, but it also shows a deep level of commitment to his development. They like him, and believe he can evolve into a quality NFL offensive lineman, with some help from Scarnecchia. His versatility is one of the things will likely keep him around again. He spent time at guard last year, as well as tackle in college, and he’s listed as a tackle on the depth chart. He’s not going to be confused with Shaq Mason anytime soon, but the ability to play multiple spots is huge in the New England system.
64. J.C. Jackson: One of my favorite guys coming out of the spring workouts, and an odds-on favorite to be one of the guys who continues the streak of a rookie free agent making the 53-man roster at the start of the year. This cornerback showed plenty of scrap, and injected himself into the conversation for the role of fourth or fifth corner on the roster this spring.