Five Patriots who are facing a key stretch in race for a roster spot

Thursday was our first opportunity to get a look at the 2019 Patriots. While you always have to be cautious when it comes to making sweeping judgments at this time of year, based on the roster makeup and what we saw on the field, we know there are a handful of players who are facing an important spring and summer in their development. At the same time, because of health or other roster issues, most of them should get a chance to show what they’re capable of. Here are five guys who really need to make the most of every chance they get in the next few months.


Obi Melifonwu: One of the guys I’ve been asked about the most this offseason, Acquired midway through last season, Melifonwu is a player who will (theoretically) benefit the most from an entire offseason in the program. A hyperathletic defender at a position where the Patriots could use an infusion of youth, he was one of the big winners of the draft in the New England didn’t get a developmental safety — he could get a chance to be more than just a special teams accessory this season. He was one of a few youngsters who got a sizable amount of playing time on Thursday, lining up alongside Devin McCourty with a reasonable facsimile of the starting defense. (Patrick Chung wasn’t on the field.) Melifonwu played well, but it’s early. We’ll see how it all shakes out down the road, but it was a good start.