Welp, after a horrible weekend for Boston sports, with the Celtics and Bruins out before Mother's Day and the Red Sox 10 games out of first place, we're now in tepid sports seas not seen in a decade. So get ready for a lot of Patriots' analysis!
Let's start with the veterans on the depth chart that could be in danger heading into OTAs.
Kayshon Boutte, WR (contract year)
Yup, Captain Obvious here. With A.J. Brown all but fitted for his new Patriots' jersey — apparently for the 2028 first-round pick Adam Schefter keeps pushing — Boutte is going to be on the way out. It's now just a question of when. He's in the final year of his deal, Brown is going to take over his position and targets, and the Patriots also have Kyle Williams at the X spot. I don't think he gets you very much in trade value because the pool will be limited due to the off-field concerns that kept him off a lot of draft boards when he was drafted. And it was a lot more than his gambling issues he's come clean about.
Demario Douglas, WR (contract year)
Pop was part of Bill Belichick's final draft disaster, which already puts him on the chopping block (though, not as bad as the 2024 Mayo/Wolf draft). Douglas is just not a good fit for this offense — he's a space player in a precision-based passing scheme — and his lack of size is also an issue. He should be a little slot in this offense, but he's not built for that. Shows some good skills with the ball in his hands, but the Patriots probably want those touches going to Kyle Williams and TreVeyon Henderson. The Patriots signed at least three undrafted free agents, and also have Efton Chism, who is a real blocker out of the slot. Seems like a when-not-if question with Douglas.
Christian Ellis, LB (contract year)
I don't think he's in a ton of danger despite the team signing KJ Britt and drafting Namdi Obiazor in the sixth round, but stranger things have happened. The Patriots also added Chad Muma, a former draft darling, at the end of last season. What's the scenario where Elliss is pushed off the roster? Britt and/or Obiazor are clearly better during camp and the preseason. The Patriots have shown, with guys like Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger, that they will move on from a veteran if they are a) expensive and b) don't appear to have a starting spot locked up. I don't expect that to happen with Elliss, but the possibility is there.
Mike Onwenu, RG (contract year)
Certainly, his odds of finishing his contract year were boosted with the Patriots not drafting a guard. But the team did add two in free agency (UAB's JonDarius Morgan, FSU's Jacob Rizy). If there's any spot on the offense where a UDFA stands a chance of starting by the season, it's right guard. The Patriots also have candidates in Ben Brown, Caeden Wallace (stop laughing), Mehki Butler and whoever is moved over from tackle to get the "best five" on the field (Caleb Lomu, Dametrious Crownover, James Hudson). It's not totally out of the realm of possibility that someone emerges who is younger and cheaper, and gives an acceptable level of play. Onwenu did play really well last year, so I'm not expecting it. If I'm the Patriots, I'm riding it out one more season and collecting the comp pick when Onwenu leaves.
Other lesser candidates on the chopping block:
Edge Bradyn Swinson
CB Charles Woods
OG Caeden Wallace
WR Efton Chism
OT Marcus Bryant
DT Josh Farmer
FB Jack Westover