I am willing to bet that going into next season, the
Pats will be the favorites of the AFC. The Patriots were decimated with injuries this year and made it to the final four.
Mayo and Vollmer will definitely be back. Wilfork and Kelly may be back. Right there it is a big improvement to the front seven of the defense and offensive line.
Other things that to consider:
- Other than Brady, Mankins, Gregory, Connolly, Wilfork, and Kelly; the Pats have no starters or key role players north of 30 on the roster next year right now. This is a relatively young roster.
- Collins came on during the tail end of the season. Historically, defenders that the Pats ease into the line up and come on at the end of their rookie season tend to have big jumps their second season (see Seymour and Ty Warren for examples)
- Dobson will be healthy and he and Thompkins will have a complete offseason. Typically, WRs make huge jumps from year one to year two (which is relative because many WRs never become good).
- Amendola will be back and healthy (yes, I know. For how long?)
- Gronk should be back and healthy (Ditto)
- Hightower should benefit from the return of Mayo since he will move back to his natural position which he did after Spikes went down and his play improved.
The only wild card the Pats have are whether Edelman or Talib come back. Both leaving would leave significant holes. I think they can fill the other bigger holes through free agency and the draft.
