After watching five offseason practices, I've updated my depth chart for BSJ members that now includes the undrafted free agents. Also, providing a few roster thoughts before I get into my first 53-man roster projection, which will come next weekend ...
Some roster thoughts:
• If I were the GM of the Patriots, the positions that would keep me up at night are center, left guard and inside/weakside linebacker.
• Right now, if there was one position that I thought could torpedo the season, it would be center - with a caveat. I just don't know how good Garrett Bradbury is - impossible to tell in shorts. In the practices, he was about what I figured watching some of his tape from last year: he's a small, try-hard player who seems smart enough, I just don't know if he's big enough to handle the mammoth defensive linemen that now dot the league.
However, it might not ever come to that. Jared Wilson might be the most pivotal player on the offensive line. Wilson, who didn't practice much this offseason, could overtake Bradbury at any point at center, or he could end up being the starting left guard. Or he could be a backup. We just don't know at this point. Not sure I'd be all that keen on him, say, starting the season at left guard and then, if Bradbury struggles, moving over to center during the season. As a rookie, that's a tough ask. I'd rather pick a spot, and roll with it this year. How Bradbury fares in the early padded practices could determine which position Wilson plays as a rookie.
In case you were wondering, Cole Strange is NOT a center. At least not here.
• By the way, with the Patriots releasing the camp schedule and the CBA rules, the first padded practice should be Monday, July 28 after the mandated off day.
• Tyrese Robinson is a contender at left guard and he missed minicamp after the death of his sister.
• I would say the starting LG spot is between Robinson, Jared Wilson, Cole Strange, with BC UDFA Jack Conley a darkhorse. He's in the roster mix because he can play guard and tackle.
• I don't think it's a good sign that Caeden Wallace was moved inside to guard last week, even if it was due to light numbers with Wes Schweitzer retiring and Robinson not present. Maybe they want to see if he has an versatility, but if they liked him at tackle - possibly in a swing tackle role - they wouldn't move him. It's not like they are swimming in great tackle options.
• Nothing controversial about Schweitzer hanging them up, from what I'm told. Great guy and was doing a decent job. Sometimes a player's heart just isn't in it anymore.
• As for another position switch ... Marte Mapu moving to linebacker has nothing to do with the Patriots not having enough at LB, it's about NE being full up at safety and seeing if Mapu any roster value at all. Of course, he's hurt again and didn't participate in minicamp. The writing seems on the wall.
• Still, that Christian Elliss got a lot of snaps next to MLB Robert Spillane in the offseason is not a great thing. He has potential and is a good athlete - which is why the Patriots matched the Raiders' RFA offer sheet - but he's still really raw at linebacker and is more of a special teams player.
Weakside linebacker, guard and center would be positions I'd be looking to trade for before final cutdowns if other teams have a surplus (less likely at center).
• By the way, at this point, it would not be a shock to me if by the start of the season, the Patriots will have very little to show from their previous FOUR drafts.
Highly likely to stick:
2024 Draft: Drake Maye
2023 Draft: Christian Gonzalez, Keion White, Demario Douglas, Bryce Baringer
2022 Draft: Marcus Jones
2021: Christian Barmore, Rhamondre Stevenson
That's eight players out of 38.
Fighting for their roster spot this summer (setting aside the players already gone):
2024 Draft: Ja'Lynn Polk, Caeden Wallace, Layden Robinson, Javon Baker, Marcellas Dial, Jaheim Bell (Joe Milton already gone)
2023 Draft: Marte Mapu, Sidy Sow, Kayshon Boutte, Isaiah Bolden
2022 Draft: Cole Strange