Now that the offseason is largely over, it's time to reload the depth chart and assess.
For this exercise, we decided to combine the starters on both sides of the ball, and go over the starting spots that we feel best about, down to the ones that worry us the most.
We're going to go with the players that could start tomorrow — those that are at least reasonably healthy (that would leave out a James White, for example). We went with 12 starters on each side (extra WR/TE, extra DB on defense).
Let's start with the depth chart, that includes those in contract years (still a lot):
RANKING THE STARTERS
Starting with the players I'm most confident in, down to the least confident.
Edge: Matthew Judon
Yes, he completely disappeared down the stretch, but so did the whole defense, which shows Judon's value. He's one of the few guys on this team that you know will produce, if given health. He realized what happened last season, and I'm confident he won't let it happen again.
RB: Damien Harris
You could swap in Rhamondre Stevenson here — and the Patriots might just do that themselves if both backs are healthy at the end of camp — and I wouldn't feel much different.
TE: Hunter Henry
Won't blow you away with his athletic ability, but he's a rock-solid target and player for Mac Jones.
C: David Andrews
There will be changes to his left and right. Thank goodness the Patriots have a guy like Andrews in the middle to pull it all together. But does anyone else feel that Andrews might have an early expiration date considering Cole Strange might just be a better center?
DE: Lawrence Guy
The Andrews of the d-line. Not all that spectacular, but you'd miss them like hell if they weren't there.
SS: Adrian Phillips
He looked to be a perfect fit for this scheme upon arrival, and that has held up nicely.
QB: Mac Jones
He might be near the top but the coaching is a huge wild card, for Jones and the rest of the passing offense.
Slot CB: Jonathan Jones
He's coming back from a shoulder injury, not anything in the lower body. So he won't suffer any drop off.
FS: Devin McCourty
May have lost a half step, but his mind and film study more than makes up for it.
RT: Trent Brown
He'd be higher if you knew you could count on him physically.
Slot WR: Kendrick Bourne
You're probably wondering where Jakobi Meyers is. Until the Patriots start jettisoning WRs in a crowded room, we think they'll go with a slot-by-committee approach and Bourne has to get on the field.
DE: Christian Barmore
We're giving him Deatrich Wise's starting spot. Of course, this will never happen, but one can dream. Like Bourne, the Patriots have to show some faith and play them on early downs more than normal.
X WR: DeVante Parker
Has played in the system so the transition should not be an issue. However, he's not the most durable player so we'll see if he posts.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
Star: Kyle Dugger
Capable of spectacular plays, but hasn't yet shown he's totally comfortable in the scheme. This could be the year.
RG: Mike Onwenu
His initial foray at guard did not go well, considering he lost his job to Ted Karras. Sometimes players just need time to adjust to a new spot. We have faith Big Mike will be better this time around.
Z WR: Nelson Agholor
His attitude is great, and his lack of production last year wasn't his fault. But are we confident the offensive coaching can help rise him a level?
LT: Isaiah Wynn
Solid ... when he's out there. Entering a contract year, he has all the motivation in the world to be more reliable.
CB2: Jalen Mills
Yes, we have more faith in the No. 2 corner at this point. Another solid, unspectacular player.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
LB: Ja'Whaun Bentley
Knows the scheme, which gives him a leg up on many others in the room. Solid. Doesn't have many truly bad games.
LG: Cole Strange
They drafted a guard in the first round ... he better freaking start and be good. We think he will be.
LB: Mack Wilson
He has starter talent and is familiar with the scheme. Plus, he's athletic and should be a potential three-down player, if he stays focused and takes the next step.
NT: Davon Godchaux
Solid but this team needs more out of him, especially if the Patriots are planning to play smaller LBs and put some safeties in the box.
CB1: Malcolm Butler
It's been said his 2020 film was good. Are we sure about that? The rest of the NFL did not think so, which forced a budget signing in Arizona. The Cardinals thought he was cooked before Butler retired. Now where did Bill Belichick stash the fountain of youth at Fort Foxborough?
Edge: Josh Uche
I have a ton of faith in his ability and smarts, but the coaches have shown they did not agree last season. Will finally get his chance. Huzzah! (Expect him to do well with it.)
TE/HB: Jonnu Smith
If you think his struggles had to do with usage last year, I have an assistant QB spot waiting for you on the coaching staff.
Pass back: JJ Taylor
Had a huge fumble last season and then was rarely seen, but the kid has a lot of talent. The good news is this spot could shoot up depending on White's return and rookie Pierre Strong.
____________________________
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
NICKEL PACKAGE
In honor of the Patriots' first open practice to the media on Monday, the top five things we'll be watching starting at 11 a.m.:
1. What are Joe Judge and Matt Patricia doing?
We know Judge will be busy trying to make sure every coach can instruct every player on offense, but what will he be doing during the bulk of practice? Will he just be with Jones and the QBs, and how are those interactions? How does Judge's approach differ from Josh McDaniels, who had a Ph.D. in QB prep? Who's calling plays? We assume it will be Patricia, who will also have offensive line duties.
2. How are they fitting the pieces at WR?
Parker is new and will be given the first chance to grab the starting spot, but what does that mean down the line, for guys like Agholor, Bourne and Meyers? Of course, rookie speedster Tyquan Thornton needs to fit some place too.
3. The secondary jigsaw puzzle.
Speaking of things with a lot of pieces, how are the CB reps going to get split up and how does Malcolm Butler look physically? Can Shaun Wade make a charge? Does Jonathan Jones look like his old self? How are they going to get McCourty, Phillips, Dugger and Jabrill Peppers on the field at the same time?
4. Rookie watch.
Does Cole Strange start from Day 1 (don't see why not)? Don't be surprised if Pierre Strong, Marcus Jones and Jack Jones don't get early reps as well.
5. Competitions.
Mack Wilson vs. Cam McGrone. Uche vs. Ronnie Perkins and Anfernee Jennings. Agholor vs. Thornton. Strange vs. ... somebody? Year 2 Jonnu Smith vs. his Year 1 self. Butler vs. Wade vs. Mills. Harris vs. Stevenson. Jake Bailey vs. Jake Julien. Nick Folk vs. Quinn Nordin. Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, N'Keal Harry vs. relevancy.