OK I'm game...with the understanding that my opinion has no real value and that sometimes I'm just guessing.
Wheatley - The 5th CB as of now behind Springs/Boddin/Wilhite, and Butler. Short quick, looks to be most useful as a slot wr cover guy in dime packages. Someone who can stay with the OTHER teams' Welker clone. Was at one time our #2, so it shows how deep the CBs have become. Too soon, given his injury last season, to determine his ultimate potential.
Crable - Did I mention this dude was TALL. Well last preseason, he made a very athletic pick that impressed me greatly. Cant get it out of my head. He has huge potential, and is BB'S archetype OLB...at least physically. Because of his late arrival to camp, I have no read on him whatsoever. I'll have to wait until Thursday before I get even the foggiest idea of what's going on.
Wendel- over acheiving G/C. I can infer he's doing well, because they released Johnson. He's in the mix for a roster spot, but more likely the PS
Brace- Playing better than advertised. More versatile, more athletic than we all expected when he was ANOTHER classic "reach" by BB. Much more than "just" back up NT. He could be the key behind the move to the 4-3 that we are seeing.
Chung- Thank god for the preseason game, because I was worried about him, since he has worked exclusively with the 2s and 3s, and had done little to elevate him above the other rookies in camp. The preseason game made it clear WHY the Pats made him their first pick and the future looked bright.
Ohrnberger- ANOTHER OLman I haven't got a clue about. Hopefully we'll know more when the Bengals come to town.
Vollmer- This is one OLman I have seen more closely. He has dominant size and very quick feet for his size. Raw, but unlimited potential. His future playing time will come later in the season
Bussey - Has he gotten on the field yet?
Pryor- This is kind of amazing since he went from PUP to the starting line up...and the flashed some serious quicks. Maybe HE'S the reason the Pats will be willing to play more 4-3 this year....or not.
Richard - No clue....maybe a PS candidate. Is he practicing?
Ninkovich - I'm a little higher on him than most. My observations saw some quicks, a good first step, and the versatility to play DE, OLB, STs, and can long snap. This is the kind of guy who becomes a surprise member of the 53.
Edelman = I'm convinced. He is an NFL receiver right now, but his place for now will be as depth behind Welker, and on special teams. More important than his return TD, was the fact he caught the ball with an eagle right in his face....and the tackle on the KO.
NEED TWO
We also have some veterans to evaluate
Walter - Unless KOC completely tanks, I think he's here to learn the offense, get some snaps, take some reps, and then get cut in the final cut, and take some money to sit by the phone and wait for the unthinkable. Hoyer goes to the PS and is the emergency guy for an individual games.
Lenon - I had great hopes when we signed him, but I don't see a place for him. He's a better ILB than Alexander, but isn't as good on special teams or in coverage....and ILB in a 3-4 is the next dying position in a pass happy league. His best chance relies on the Pats converting to the 4-3, where he'd be a legit back up to Mayo at MLB.
Tank Williams. Another guy who mistimed his good health. He would have played a lot LAST SEASON, but this season there's no room. He's strictly a coverage ILB, and the Pats have DBs to do that.
McGowan - He'll make the team as the 4th S, and special teams guy. I can see him being the guy who replaces the ILB on passing packages
NEED THREE
Get vets used to our systems
Galloway- Kind of underwhelming in the practices I"ve seen, but I hear he's picked it up lately. He WILL be the #3 WR and speed wide out opposite Moss....at least at the start of the season.
Burgess - also underwhelming from what I've heard from others at practices, but its still relatively early. Also another guy who fuels 4-3 rumors