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.
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Today, it's Nos. 27 through 19. We're getting closet to the top of the heap. This group has an interesting cross-section of backups, newcomers and some vets, some of whom will be asked to take on a little more this year because of some offseason departures.
27. Ted Karras: He’s never going to be confused with John Hannah, but his versatility (he can play both guard and center, which makes him a vital part of Dante Scarnecchia’s crew), as well as the fact he’s cost-effective and a terrific locker room presence, means he’ll have a spot in New England for the foreseeable future. It’ll be interesting to see what sort of role he’ll have if the Patriots will be without Joe Thuney to start camp, or if Isaiah Wynn struggles at all at guard.
26. Brian Hoyer: This time last year,
Hoyer was preparing to be the starter for a woeful San Francisco team. Now, the Grover Cleveland of Tom Brady’s backups is back again for another year in New England. He’s never going to win you a Super Bowl — that much was clear in the spring sessions we had a chance to watch — but if Bill Belichick has to flip the keys to Hoyer for the short-term, depending on the opponent, you know the veteran won’t end up driving the whole thing into a ditch. One more note: We were impressed with rookie Danny Etling this spring, but not so much that we’d put him ahead of Hoyer just yet.
25. Kyle Van Noy: He was acquired initially as a complementary type of player, but without Dont’a Hightower in the lineup for the bulk of the 2017 season, Van Noy was asked to do more in the middle, both from an on-field and a leadership standpoint. He did as well as could be expected, taking a consecutive snap streak into October while serving as the defensive play caller. Along the way, he likely earned the right to be the No. 1 option to line up alongside Hightower when he returns at the start of this season.
24. Sony Michel: The rookie running back isn’t going to start the year as the No. 1 option in the backfield, but after seeing him this spring, it’s easy to envision a scenario where he becomes a “lead-back type” with 15 or so touches a game by the end of the 2018 season. He showed a deft touch when it came to working as a pass-catcher this spring. Ultimately, we’ll reserve judgment on his skills until he gets in pads and has to pick up a first down between the tackles after a handoff from Brady. But he’s off to a good start.
23. Jordan Matthews: If everything goes as the Patriots hope, he’ll be the guy who takes over some of Danny Amendola’s production. (Makes sense — he’s clearly got an appreciation for Amendola and what he accomplished here in New England.) But he’s also a guy capable of providing some short-term relief if Julian Edelman is out for the first four weeks. He was a slot machine in his first two years with the Eagles, and had terrific production at that spot. If he can come anywhere close to that level of production, New England would be happy. For what it’s worth, he was also one of the first guys on the field and last off in the spring sessions we saw. Not sure how much that helps with the coaching staff, but at the very least, it’s a good look for a new guy.
22. Eric Rowe: After the spring practices, it still appears Rowe has the best chance at being the No. 3 cornerback on the roster, behind Stephon Gilmore and Jason McCourty. (I know there was some concern about McCourty not being on the field enough this spring, but I don’t think it’s going to be an issue.) Rowe is never going to be considered a shutdown corner, but given his history in this defense and his familiarity when it comes to working with the trio of safeties, if he stays healthy, he’ll be a part of the 2018 defense.
21. Deatrich Wise, Jr.: One of the more fascinating guys on the roster this summer. After a rookie year where he was third on the team with five sacks, the 6-foot-5 product out of Arkansas is heading into 2018 with an increased level of expectation. Playing 51 percent of the snaps last year, his 37 total pressures tied with Myles Garrett and Derek Barnett for the most pressures of all rookie 4-3 defensive ends. (Per Pro Football Focus.) Can he improve on that in 2018? Can he make the leap and go from rotational piece of New England’s front seven to double-digit sack artist? Time will tell, but based on his performance at times last year, if he can stay healthy, he’s capable of taking his game to the next level.
20. Malcom Brown: Very quietly, he’s played himself into one of the more important pieces of the New England defense. (Greg has a terrific breakdown here of what he did in the AFC title game.) He’s not Vince Wilfork, but he’s still one of the best in the league at what he does. Two things: Greg brings up the possibility of Brown as a surprise trade, which makes sense given his contractual context, as well as a few other things. And two, it’ll be interesting to see how Brown deals with some of the turnover along New England’s defensive front, including the departure of Alan Branch and the arrival of Danny Shelton and Adrian Clayborn.
19. Rex Burkhead: With the departure of Dion Lewis, if you’re looking for a short list of breakout possibilities in 2018, Burkhead is near the top. When he was healthy last season, he played himself into an important role, joining Lewis and James White in finishing the 2017 season with at least 30 catches and 30 carries. There are a handful of talented backs on the New England roster, but I don’t know if any of them have shown the between-the-tackles stoutness and the ability to catch passes at the NFL level quite like Burkhead. So much of his lofty status on this list depends on his ability to avoid injury, but if he can play 12-plus games in the regular season and into the playoffs, he has a chance to be a vital part of the offense.