Counting down the most valuable Patriots -- No. 9 to No. 1

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 bad 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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We finish up with the top nine -- the best of the best. The nucleus. If these nine are playing the way they have demonstrated in the past, individually, you could make a Pro Bowl case for most of them, based on their collective resumes. And from a teamwide perspective, if they are at the top of their game, it's going to be awfully hard to stop New England from another title. On the flip side, if any one of these guys go down for an extended stretch this coming season, there would be issues. If one (or multiple players) go down with a season-ending injury at some point, there would be some big issues.

9. James White: There are some questions about the rest of the backfield when it comes to health, effectiveness and general experience at the NFL level, which means White figures to be the man out of the gate for the Patriots. One of a handful of backs to have 150-plus catches since the start of the 2015 season, his versatility as a pass catcher (out of the backfield, in the slot, or split wide) allows New England to put stress on opposing defenses in a unique way. And while he’s not necessarily built to carry the ball 15-20 times a game, he is capable of picking up tough yardage in a pinch. With Julian Edelman slated to miss the first four games of the season and some questions about the depth at wide receiver, he’s positioned to be one of the most important parts of the offense over the first month of the season, but he figures to be vital to the New England offense all year long.