Mankins will be starting the year on the PUP due to his ACL recovery. But that doesn't have me concerned in the least.
Vollmer does concern me, though not as much as it did last year because I believe that Cannon could sub in for him without issue.
Solder was stellar for a rookie last year. I see no reason for him to take a step backwards. He and Cannon shut down one of the best pass rushers in the league in Cameron Wake. And did so without much help from the TEs.
The interior depth is the best its been in awhile and it will be better with Mankins return.
The addition of Gallery is huge because he brings a dominant presence that we've only seen from the likes of Mankins and Waters. Once all three are healthy, the Pats will be able to rotate and keep all 3 fresh.
With Koppen and Connolly battling it out for the starting center position, the worst we'll have is an above average center starting. And don't count Nick McDonald out. He's my darkhorse to take the starting center position.
The Pats have shown an ability to be successful with journeymen O-lineman starting for them (Tom Ashworth, Russ Hochstein, Brandon Gorin).
The D-line is somewhat concerning. How will the Pats line up? Will it be BB's traditional 3-4? Will it be the Hybrid? Will it be the old-style 4-3?
The D-line has some good starting talent with the likes of Wilfork, Kyle Love, Brandon Deaderick, Jonathan Fanene. They also have Gerard Warren, Ron Brace and Marcus Forston. That is good depth for the 3-4 and possibly for the hybrid, though none of them are the RDE that we fans have been hoping for.
For the OLBers, you'd have Jones and Bequette joining Ninkovich, Carter and Cunningham..ILBers you'd have Spikes, Mayo, Fletcher being joined by Hightower. OLBer would be somewhat weak unless Jones and Bequetter really stepped up right away.
The Defensive backs are the area of biggest concern. Will McCourty rebound? How will Dowling do? What about Dennard? Will Arrington be the starter again or will he the the "STAR"? How will Gregory adapt to the Pats coming from the Chargers? Will Wilson be in the safety rotation mix by the end of the year? Where does Sterling Moore fit into the mix after a stellar play-offs?