Bedard: Thin spots, shaky drafts and other thoughts on Patriots' initial 53-man roster

Some lingering thoughts on the Patriots' initial 53-man roster, which is certain to change in the next day (no, Jake Bailey is not kicking field goals this year ... no matter how many times Chris Price wishes it would happen).

Here's a visual look at the real Patriots' depth chart:



Concerns

• Obviously, off-the-ball linebackers jump off the page. There is just a ton of inexperience there, starting with "captain" Ja'Whaun Bentley. He has much to prove this season. If he's not really good, this defense could be a disaster. I don't think that's overstating it. They have zero backup should Bentley not play well.


• How about the depth overall there? There's Bentley and two rookies, and nobody but maybe Brandon Copeland backing them up. This has to be the least experienced linebacking corp Bill Belichick has ever coached anywhere. The Hoodie is a long, long, long way from Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, Carl Banks, Pepper Johnson and Gary Reasons. A long way.


• Last year, the Patriots had Hightower, Jamie Collins, Elandon Roberts, Bentley, and Kyle Van Noy had started games there previously. The Patriots had so many linebackers they moved Roberts to fullback just to get him on the field. Now they can't rub two nickels together.


• It's Bentley, a rookie in Josh Uche who hasn't really played much stand-up linebacker and is small for the position in the NFL. Anfernee Jennings might just be the Patriots' best linebacker today.


• Looking at the depth chart this way brings a little clarity: I think the Patriots will be looking for a boundary receiver to backup N'Keal Harry — or at least they should with his injury history (he's still dealing with a left leg issue. I don't really get into the names game unless I know something.


• We've talked about the tight ends previously: Ryan Izzo is OK, and the rookies have a long way to go. But I will say this, this group is better than what last year's group showed on the field with Ben Watson.


• Yodny Cajuste was a straight-up stash. He didn't earn that spot. It better pay off down the line. Things usually don't work out that well with linemen they stash. Linemen either become players quickly here, or they don't work out.

• I have zero concerns about any spots in the secondary. Not a one.


• I worry more about this team setting the edge against the run than the interior run defense as long as Beau Allen and his prodigious ponytail plan on gracing us with their presence at some point this season. Deatrich Wise will be fine. Byron Cowart, hopefully, will be consistent. He's a monster when he is.


• I like the receivers with Cam Newton and a simplified offense. I'm bummed Devin Ross isn't here and I'm not the only one. Hopefully, he comes back in short order. He outplayed Jakobi Meyers.


• Would I take a flier on some name receiver from someplace else just to see if something hits? Yeah, I guess. But I'm more worried about shoring up other positions than a receiver who's going to take weeks to get up to speed and then won't play ahead of Harry, Edelman, Byrd and Olszewski.


• Love the running backs, including the fullback. Hopefully Damien Harris gets a real chance.

Right now, the glaring depth issues this draft would likely address:

Tight end (double-dip this year?)
Linebacker