Bedard: Patriots depth chart - Questions, battles and players on the spot

Updating the Patriots' depth chart by contract expiration, and picking out the lingering questions, position battles and veterans on the spot whenever football returns to the field...

DEPTH CHART



LINGERING QUESTIONS

What position is Josh Uche?

Ideally, the top second-round pick would start off as a situational pass rusher. That's normally the way edge rookies start. But there doesn't seem to be a ready spot there right now because Chase Winovich is expected to be a three-down player. Pass-rushing is certainly his best asset (he needs to show improvement on the first two downs).

Today, the Patriots would line up with Brandon Copeland, Adam Butler, Deatrich Wise and Winovich on third and long. Wise is no lock to make the team, but he's an interior pass rusher on third down usually. Uche wouldn't be in that spot. I'm sure Uche will compete some on the left side with Simon and Calhoun and the second-best rusher beyond Winovich will get a chance. That may not be Uche.

But if Uche can fill a role where he's a standup, off-the-ball weakside linebacker who can rush on the end on passing downs — similar to Jame Collins — then we might have something and this pick makes a little bit more sense. They still don't have a ready WLB replacement on the roster. Any perceived fits (undrafted free agents) are just projections.

What is the deal at reserve guard?

If Joe Thuney sticks, then obviously the Patriots have a good situation with him and Shaq Mason at the starting guard spots.

But after that? Holy hell ... and they appear to be wasting assets:

Hjlate Froholdt (2019 fourth-round pick)
Jermaine Eluemunior (trade, 2020 fourth-round pick)
Michael Onwenu (2020 sixth-round pick)
Justin Herron (2020 sixth-round pick)

And, holy hell again, who they heck starts if they trade Thuney?!

It's pretty clear they're not relying on Froholdt for anything with all that capital they've used to find other options. On the contrary, the Patriots have adding Korey Cunningham (trade, 2020 sixth-round pick) to strengthen tackle beyond Yodny Cajuste (2019 third-round pick).

TOP POSITION BATTLES

QB1: Stidham vs. Hoyer.

Sorry, but there is a competition. Hoyer outplayed Stidham last summer but lost out on economics. With no drafted QBs this year, that won't be a problem this time around.

Y TE1: LaCosse vs. Asiasi

Reminiscent of Crumper vs. Gronkowski back in 2010, and Crumpler won the job for about half the season. I would be surprised if LaCosse, if he stays healthy and money isn't an issue (it may be), isn't the starter for much of this season.

Wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots kept a third blocking TE (Rashod Berry and Jake Burt are UDFAs) to help the run game.

Flex TE1: Izzo vs. Keene

I expect this to be hotly contested. Keene's a quick study and will likely be a coach favorite since he plays all special teams.

LE1/2: Simon vs. Calhoun vs. Copeland vs. Jennings

Gentleman, set your edges!

RE1/2: Winovich vs. Wise vs. Rivers vs. Uche

Winovich's job to lose, but beware guys like Rivers and Wise who have nothing to lose and few options left to hang onto a spot.

Mike1/2: Bentley vs. Maluia vs. Tezino vs. Harris

Bentley obviously has a big edge, but he better not get complacent. Those kids are coming for his job.

Slot WR2: Meyers vs. Olszewski vs UDFAs

Who ya got in Munchkinland?!

OG2: Froholdt vs. Eluemunor vs. Herron vs. Onwenu

This is so underwhelming, I'm bordering on depression. Pray to the line gods they don't trade Thuney.

SS2: Dugger vs. Brooks

Every chance they both stay for special teams, but there only might be room for one if they keep Justin Bethel as well.

PLAYERS (THAT YOU KNOW) ON THE SPOT

Ryan Izzo
Shilique Calhoun
Hjlate Froholdt
Jermaine Eluemunor
Deatrich Wise
Derek Rivers
Terrence Brooks
Matt LaCosse
Gunner Olszewski
Jakobi Meyers