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
- 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 BLUE CHIPS (yes, we have two this time)
HERE BUT REPLACEABLE
59. Matt Corral, QB
2022 rank: New
Needing to placed on the exempt/left squad list is not a good start.
58. Calvin Munson, LB/STs
2022 rank: New
Had a really good summer to be a Week 1 practice squad callup.
57. Ameer Speed, STs/CB
2022 rank: Rookie
One of the big surprises on the initial 53-man roster. Has plus-length and speed for CB and they might be hoping he'll finally breakthrough the Ras-I Dowling, Joejuan Williams whiffs at the spot, but this seems like a special teams-only player for now.
56. Sam Roberts, DE
2022 rank: 59
Had a great camp and preseason offering a lot of DL versatility but very little upside outside this system. Seems like a Deatrich Wise in training.
55. Shaun Wade, CB
2022 rank: 51
He seems to be only here because the Patriots don't have much depth at the position and he is somewhat of a veteran, so he knows the system.
54. Tyrone Wheatley Jr., OT
2022 rank: New
Has a lot of raw talent as a former college TE but needs a lot of development. Does have a chance to play LT down the road with great feet.
53. Trey Flowers, DE
2022 rank: New
It's been a long time since he's been a better Wise in this defense. Purely a veteran depth piece at this point.
52. Cody Davis, STs
2022 rank: 47
On the PUP list. You know the drills as a STer.
51. Pharoah Brown, TE
2022 rank: New
Big, physical, depth blocking TE who lacks speed and isn't much of a threat on offense. Would be nice to have a draft pick in this spot with two free agents in Henry and Gesicki.
50. Mack Wilson, LB
2022 rank: 39
Tried hard to leave but found crickets on the open market before returning. Another spot where lack of youth investment keeps retreads here.
49. Calvin Anderson, OT
2022 rank: New
The definition of a solidly average veteran who can back up at both tackle spots.
48. Ty Montgomery, RB/WR
2022 rank: 56
We had him ranked 16th before the 2022 season ... oops. Definitely some potential here but until he proves he can stay on the field for longer than 5 minutes, he does not get the benefit of the doubt. This should be Demario Douglas or Marcus Jones in due time.
47. Bailey Zappe, QB
2022 rank: 41
Despite being available to every team in the league for the past two weeks, he's still here and a solid backup - but that's it. He was always going to be the backup Week 1, but wonder if someone threatened to sign him (would have been a nice move for Dolphins, Jets or Bills - Buffalo had some interest after his release) and that prompted the Patriots to sign him to the active roster outright.
46. Riley Reiff, OL (IR)
2022 rank: New
Didn't look good at tackle, but was surprisingly solid at guard. Appears headed to be the "Break glass in case of emergency" guy on the o-line.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
Sidy Sow at RT
POTENTIAL IS THERE
45. Sidy Sow, OL
2022 rank: Rookie
Wasn't all that bad at right tackle considering he's a rookie. Just needs reps and some weight room time. Does look a little like Marcus Cannon. Would really like to see what he can do at guard.
44. Jake Andrews, C/G
2022 rank: Rookie
Improved greatly as the summer went along to the point that he's a solid backup to his namesake at center. Not crazy about him at guard, but smart player.
43. Kayshon Boutte, WR
2022 rank: Rookie
Got better every week in every way from the middle of camp on, including with his legs which leads open the possibility that he could be an explosive guy down the road. But not sure he does much this year given the depth chart.
42. Chad Ryland, K
2022 rank: Rookie
Trying to go from good veteran to rookie again. Worked last time. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt but this has to be a little scary.
41. Atonio Mafi, OG
2022 rank: Rookie
Looks like Mike Onwenu Jr. in a lot of ways. Former DT needs a lot more reps but is a good-looking prospect.
40. Daniel Ekuale, DT
2022 rank: 29
Was a real surprise last season as an interior sub rusher but his role will likely be smaller with Keion White a factor and Christian Barmore healthy.
39. Vederian Lowe, OT
2022 rank: New
On film, he appears to have a real chance to be a young starter at right tackle. We'll see if that's true.
38. Tyquan Thornton, WR
2022 rank: 35
Another year, more injury issues to keep him out of the lineup. Patriots need his speed and he's flashed once in a while. Time is running out.
37. Bryce Baringer, P
2022 rank: Rookie
Has all the potential to be a big-legged punter for this team. How he develops directionally will show his ceiling.
36. Keion White, DE
2022 rank: Rookie
Not many rookies had a preseason debut like his in the opener. Looks like he could be a full-time edge player too. Should be impactful as a sub rusher at the very least as a rookie.
35. Marte Mapu, S/LB
2022 rank: Rookie
He should be wearing a green dot in a year or two tops. Unreal football smarts and versatility. Sky's the limit.
34. Demario Douglas, WR
2022 rank: Rookie
Didn't have a bad day all summer, which is highly unusual. Could fill the Tyreek Hill role for them as a dynamic playmaker from anywhere. Only question is when and how long due to his small stature.
33. Anfernee Jennings, Edge
2022 rank: 28
Arguably the second-best edge player in terms of stopping the run and rushing on this team. Not much of a ceiling, but he's improved every season to be a legit borderline starter.
32. Brenden Schooler, STs
2022 rank: 46
Heir apparent to Matthew Slater as next great Patriots special teams player ... whatever that gets you in today's game.
VETERANS WHO NEED TO PLAY OVER THEIR HEADS
31. Joe Cardona, LS
2022 rank: 44
Rock-solid.
30. Ezekiel Elliott, RB
2022 rank: New
Should get plenty of chances to contribute at least early in the season in short yardage and helping pick up pressure. Still has decent value.
29. Jahlani Tavai, LB
2022 rank: 22
Just a good, solid player at multiple spots who proved his worth last season.
28. Jalen Mills, S/CB
2022 rank: 32
One of the big x-factors for this team. If he's a hit at FS, this defense could be really good. But he's an unknown at this point.
27. Chris Board, STs
2022 rank: New
They think he's a difference-maker. We shall see.
26. Matthew Slater, STs
2022 rank: 45
Old faithful is back for one more run.
25. Mike Gesicki, TE
2022 rank: New
Another big swing player. If he stays healthy and is a legit weapon, especially in the red zone, then this offense could be a little frisky.
WHITE CHIPS (LEAGUE AVERAGE) WHO NEED TO PLAY RED (TOP 15 AT POSITION)
24. Marcus Jones, CB
2022 rank: 10
Did not have a good summer at cornerback but he's a young player ... sometimes that happens. Still uber talented and a great punt returner.
23. Jack Jones, CB
2022 rank: 16
His injury and string of off-field issues the last six months make him a very talented question mark. If he settles down and just plays disciplined ball, the Patriots would have a strength at CB.
22. Cole Strange, LG
2022 rank: 34
Before his injury issue kept him off the field, I figured Strange would be one that greatly benefit from a real offensive line coach (Adrian Klemm) being here. Still expecting him to take a big step.
21. Christian Gonzalez, CB
2022 rank: Rookie
Has all the skills to be a great CB - just need to see if the intangibles are there. If he's a legit DROY candidate, the Patriots will be having a strong season on D.
20. Lawrence Guy, DT
2022 rank: 17
His decline started last season. Does he still have enough in the tank to be a good player for this team?
19. Adrian Phillips, S
2022 rank: 25
Could see a big change in his role this season to more of a depth safety, which might not be putting him in position to succeed. Another swing player.
18. Jabrill Peppers, S
2022 rank: 24
With his explosion back fully and ability to be a playmaker at sub linebacker, hopes are high for Peppers to come into his own this season.
17. Deatrich Wise, DE
2022 rank: 24
Just when you think they can do better (Keion White, Barmore), Wise continues to raise his level as a pass rusher. Still not good enough vs. run.
16. Juju Smith-Schuster, WR
2022 rank: New
After a non-descript summer coming back from a knee injury - which he seemed to inflame in OTAs - not sure expectations have been lower for a big free-agent addition. But internally, they think he's going to be great.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
NEED TO GO FROM RED TO PURPLE CHIP (TOP 10)
15. Christian Barmore
2022 rank: 9
Not a good summer but I have the feeling he was being paced ... at least that's what I hope. If he's legit, the front will be scary for opposing o-lines.
14. Kendrick Bourne, WR
2022 rank: 26
With the coaching now settled, looks poised to have a big year - if he can find consistent playing time in a 2 TE offense.
13. DeVante Parker, WR
2022 rank: 7
Seemed to be on the upswing before getting injured (again). Another player who internally they are very high on in this offense. He needs to be a consistent playmaker.
12. Trent Brown, OT
2022 rank: 20
Seems to be in the best place he's been mentally and physically since his first season. If that lasts the whole season, that would be huge for this team.
11. Ja'Whaun Bentley, LB
2022 rank: 23
He has to be up here for this defense to be elite. Will that happen?
10. Davon Godchaux, NT
2022 rank: 19
Like Bentley, if the Patriots are truly to have a dominant defense, you have to stuff the run first. Can he do that more consistently? Some games he's great. Other he's a liability. That has to stop.
9. Jonathan Jones, CB
2022 rank: 14
This is a projection based on him, for at least most of the season, going back to what he does best: playing as a damn good slot cornerback. Would make a huge difference.
8. Josh Uche, Edge
2022 rank: 8
Doesn't seem like he'll be used against the run very much, so this is about as high as he can go as a very good situational pass rusher. I expect bigger stats in a contract year.
7. Mac Jones, QB
2022 rank: 13
Seems ready to take the next step, but he may be limited by the offensive line and targets who struggle getting much separation.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
PURPLE WHO NEEDS TO GO TO BLUE CHIP (TOP 5)
6. Kyle Dugger, S
2022 rank: 12
The talent and playmaking ability is unquestioned. Can he finally become more consistent, especially in coverage, to be more impactful on a down to down basis?
5. Mike Onwenu, OL
2022 rank: 4
Slow start with the injury but he's certainly one of the team's most consistent players.
4. Hunter Henry, TE
2022 rank: 21
Think he's glad that Bill O'Brien is here? Seems poised to take a huge leap and cash in big.
3. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB
2022 rank: 5
Will have more help this season with Elliott in the stable and that should allow him to finish games and the season stronger. They need him to dominate.
THE TWO BLUE-CHIP PLAYERS
2. David Andrews, C
2022 rank: 2
Is chronically underrated and taken for granted. He's so good at everything at this point, and he now has the ability to help Jones direct the offense up front. A win-win for everyone.
1. Matthew Judon, Edge
2022 rank: 1
The only question now is does he have enough of a supporting cast to take some of the attention off him? If Judon can get singled up more, he could contend for DPOY.