Before we head into the season, let's take a snapshot of where the Patriots' roster stands in terms of talent and we'll lay them out in the following categories:
- HERE BUT REPLACEABLE
- POTENTIAL IS THERE
- NEED TO PROVE THEMSELVES IN REGULAR SEASON
- VETERANS WHO NEED TO PLAY OVER THEIR HEADS
- WHITE CHIPS (LEAGUE AVERAGE) WHO NEED TO PLAY RED (TOP 15 AT POSITION)
- NEED TO GO FROM RED TO PURPLE CHIP (TOP 10)
- PURPLE WHO NEEDS TO GO TO BLUE CHIP (TOP 5)
- THE LONE BLUE CHIP PLAYER
The lack of more positional players down the list is why the Patriots have been an average team for three years. A lot of players need to pay off this season.
HERE BUT REPLACEABLE
54. Bailey Zappe (rookie), QB
Training camp and the preseason revealed his physical skills to be limited. Can process quickly and release is nice, but Patriots should be looking to upgrade the developmental spot.
53. Brenden Schooler (rookie), STs/S
Looks to be the next in line for a lifetime appointment as a special teams hero that is the apple of Bill Belichick's eye.
52. Pierre Strong (rookie), RB
Will need to take a big leap in strength and confidence to become the next passing back.
51. Jahlani Tavai, LB
Belichick, via Matt Patricia, think the former Lion is invaluable for his toughness and ability to play multiple spots. Can't find a faster guy to do that?
50. Cody Davis, STs/S
Is Schooler here to replace him at some point?
49. Matthew Slater, STs
Still great as a gunner and a leader but the number of snaps that happens dwindles every year.
48. Joe Cardona, LS
Never been a problem. Means he's doing a good job.
47. Yodny Cajuste, OT
To this point, has not taken the next step. Will he ever? Time is running out.
46. Chasen Hines (rookie), OG
Intriguing build and feet. Showed enough after injury to get a roster spot. Patriots see something there, and they're right.
45. Justin Herron, OT
An average backup.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
POTENTIAL IS THERE
44. DaMarcus Mitchell (rookie), Edge
Looks like Tarzan and does not play like Jane. Could be the next developmental edge guy, like Trey Flowers. Has size edge on Uche and Jennings down the line.
43. Sam Roberts (rookie), End
Unusual body type but makes it work. A more athletic Deatrich Wise, potentially.
42. Marcus Jones (rookie), CB
Waiting for him to really pop in punt returns or on defense. Seems to be thinking a lot. Needs to cut it loose. Something is there.
41. Brian Hoyer, QB
Valuable veteran backup who Mac Jones will have to lean on. Not a fit in this category, but this is where he ranks.
40. Joshuah Bledsoe, S
Went from off the radar to intriguing talent who might displace some veterans in due time.
NEED TO PROVE THEMSELVES IN REGULAR SEASON
39. Shaun Wade, CB
Made plays in the preseason but the jury is still very much out if he can perform against starters.
38. James Ferentz, C
Had his best training camp to date and is now a solid center backup. Guard is a different topic.
37. Josh Uche, Edge
Has to prove he is more than just a run-around-the-edge guy. To this point, he hasn't.
36. Cole Strange (rookie), LG
Definitely flashes some very nice potential, but he has much to learn and to grow into as far as leverage and playing within himself.
35. Kendrick Bourne, WR
Slowly gained confidence under Josh McDaniels and Mick Lombardi. He's quickly lost it under Matt Patricia and Troy Brown. Can they get him back on the reservation?
34. Jabrill Peppers, S
Hard to believe the Patriots guaranteed over $1 million to a player coming off ACL surgery, but like Tavai he's a coach favorite from Joe Judge's time with the Giants. Patriots have yet to show where he fits.
33. Anfernee Jennings, Edge
Made a ton of plays in the preseason against backups. Will he have enough speed against regulars? Huge question.
32. Jonnu Smith, TE
Patriots will feature him on naked bootlegs to get him going ... will he deliver and do more than that? That a pricey $12.5 million question on an annual basis.
31. Jack Jones (rookie), CB
Why do we feel it's just a matter of time before Jones becomes a starter and Jonathan Jones goes back to slot? Kid makes plays and gains confidence on a daily basis.
30. Myles Bryant, CB
Valuable and smart defensive back who can play any position ... but is he good enough at one? Last seen having a tough time in the slot to finish season. He's back there again.
29. Mack Wilson, LB
The most talented LB they have ... will they play him more than in just packages?
28. (IR) Tyquan Thornton (rookie), WR
Was making gains on a daily basis before his injury. How quickly can he get back up to speed? Patriots desperate for his speed in all areas of the field.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
VETERANS WHO NEED TO PLAY OVER THEIR HEADS
27. Carl Davis, DT
Probably the best two-gapper on the team, and that's valuable here.
26. Nelson Agholor, WR
Patriots have to get a big season from him to score points and compete.
25. Raekwon McMillan, LB
Coaches have a lot of faith in him, can he be a difference-maker or will we all be pining for Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins?
24. Isaiah Wynn, RT
So many questions. Needs to stay on the field, first and foremost.
23. Ja'Whaun Bentley, LB
Has improved every season, but is it good enough? Does he have enough speed?
22. Lawrence Guy, DT
Looks to be on the decline. Can he have one more great season in the sun and key the interior run defense?
21. Deatrich Wise, DE
Knows how to play and is effective, but would like to see more consistent impact.
20. Jalen Mills, CB
Patriots are making him a No. 1. For this defense to be good, he has to deliver. Huge question mark.
19. Davon Godchaux, NT
Patriots couldn't stop the run with him last year, and now he has a contract extension. He better be unblockable.
WHITE CHIPS (LEAGUE AVERAGE) WHO NEED TO PLAY RED (TOP 15 AT POSITION)
18. Mike Onwenu, RG
One of these years, he's going to make PFF look right for making him out as the best offensive lineman in the league.
17. DeVante Parker, WR
Can he be more than just a possession receiver?
16. Ty Montgomery, RB/WR
Patriots need him to be great, and if he is, this is one of Belichick's best reclamation projects.
15. Jakobi Meyers, WR
He needs to be automatic, and he just might be.
14. Devin McCourty, S
Can he impact the game anymore, or is he just keeping the trains on schedule?
13. Jonathan Jones, CB
Going from slot to boundary at his size is a huge projection and risk for this defense.
12. Mac Jones, QB
If we were more confident in his support staff, he'd be way up this list. Player with toughest row to hoe.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
NEED TO GO FROM RED TO PURPLE CHIP (TOP 10)
11. Trent Brown, OT
When he's focused and available, among the league's best. But a lot of questions.
10. Kyle Dugger, S
Skills are unquestioned. Will he become a more well-rounded player? Right now kind of a one-trick pony going ahead.
9. David Andrews, C
Patriots appear to have taken many of his calls away in this new system. That would be a huge mistake.
8. Hunter Henry, TE
He has to become a top 5 TE for this offense to produce.
7. Adrian Phillips, S
Love him. Does everything well.
6. Damien Harris, RB
Contract year. Will the line allow him to flourish as a two-way back?
5. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB
So much talent. Will depend on the blocking.
4. Nick Folk, K
Mr. Automatic inside 52.
3. Jake Bailey, P
Should be a force once again, and this defense might need him to be.
PURPLE WHO NEEDS TO GO TO BLUE CHIP (TOP 5)
2. Christian Barmore, DT
Seems poised for a huge year. Needs to dominate every game.
THE LONE BLUE CHIP PLAYER
1. Matthew Judon, ED
If he plays an entire season all-out, he could be the next NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The Patriots used to have 4-5 guys in this area. He needs more support.