Current Depth Chart

[tasmlab]

Is Slater still on the team? Didn't see him on the list and don't remember if retirement was on the menu.

 

[Ross12]

Don't forget Bolden at RB, he was an opt out.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Is Slater still on the team? Didn't see him on the list and don't remember if retirement was on the menu.

Slate has a year left on a 2 year deal, with not much cap savings at all from leeting him go. He would seem to be a lock.

Matthew Slater

Matthew Slater contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

 

[ashley]

Slate has a year left on a 2 year deal, with not much cap savings at all from leeting him go. He would seem to be a lock.

Matthew Slater

Matthew Slater contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

Our special teams are going to be really, really good again...

 

[mgteich]

Our special teams are going to be really, really good again...

Yes. We re-signed Bethel. We signed Anderson. And we are likely to re-sign Davis.

I would note that we still need a kicker.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I really hope we bring back James White. Imagine all of the opportunities for him with Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, plus with all the play actions we can do

I'm in the minority in wanting James White to leave. His game is predicated on perfect blocking and gadget plays which I'm tired of seeing. We complain Michel is one dimensional, but that won't change if White continues to hijack touches from Michel and Harris. In fact, Michel was drafted to run and catch. Michel showed life week 17 running and catching the ball.

The interest in Fournette and Carson signal they want to pound teams into submission and that may spell the end for White.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

White's success isn't based on gadget plays, largely, it more that he is a safe outlet when the main options fail. He leaks out into space and is elusive. I hope he stays!

 

[Ring 6]

I'm in the minority in wanting James White to leave. His game is predicated on perfect blocking and gadget plays which I'm tired of seeing. We complain Michel is one dimensional, but that won't change if White continues to hijack touches from Michel and Harris. In fact, Michel was drafted to run and catch. Michel showed life week 17 running and catching the ball.

The interest in Fournette and Carson signal they want to pound teams into submission and that may spell the end for White.

As rare as it is to say this. I agree somewhat with you.
I see the offense resembling 2010 with 2 TEs, Harris in a BJGE role and Michel in the woodhead role. No huddle, passing game rb.

 

[ashley]

I'm in the minority in wanting James White to leave. His game is predicated on perfect blocking and gadget plays which I'm tired of seeing. We complain Michel is one dimensional, but that won't change if White continues to hijack touches from Michel and Harris. In fact, Michel was drafted to run and catch. Michel showed life week 17 running and catching the ball.

The interest in Fournette and Carson signal they want to pound teams into submission and that may spell the end for White.

I think White was a great Patriot, but I think he is past his prime and wouldn't mind seeing another running back brought in or give JJ a shot.

 

[Nunchucks]

White's problem last year is that Cam can't throw him the ball because he sucks at those throws and defenses put a safety or cb on him.

 

[VrabelJr]

Spoiler alert: Marcus Martin is going to turn out to be some beast.

 

[VrabelJr]

Matt Judon is an unfair toy for a coach like BB to have. NFL front office should take a first rounder from us.

 

[ashley]

Updated depth chart from the great Reiss:

Quarterback: Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham, Jake Dolegala

The Patriots could still add another signal-caller, but as more salary-cap space has been devoted to other positions, the odds now favor it being a rookie or a lower-cost option.

Running back: Damien Harris, Sony Michel, Brandon Bolden, J.J. Taylor

All eyes are on "passing back" and three-time captain James White, who remains a free agent. The Patriots should be adding to this spot in either free agency or the draft.

Fullback: Jakob Johnson, Danny Vitale, Dalton Keene

With the Patriots adding two top tight ends in free agency, perhaps they will now view Keene, a 2020 third-round pick from Virginia Tech, more in the fullback/H-back realm as a versatile chess piece.

Tight end: Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Ryan Izzo, Devin Asiasi, Matt LaCosse

The Patriots' grouping of two tight-ends is referred to as "Detroit," which is a reference to coach Bill Belichick's early years in the NFL as a Lions assistant, when the two-tight-end package was a big part of their attack with Charlie Sanders and David Hill. In 2021, "Detroit" comes to New England in a big way.

Wide receiver: Julian Edelman, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, N'Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski, Matthew Slater, Marqise Lee, Devin Smith, Kristian Wilkerson, Isaiah Zuber

Agholor led the NFL in yards per target last season (11.1) and had six touchdowns on vertical routes, third in the NFL behind on Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill. His presence adds an explosive element this group was missing in 2020 when it ranked 22nd in yards per reception (12.3).

Offensive line: Isaiah Wynn (LT), Trent Brown (RT/LT), Shaq Mason (RG), Mike Onwenu (G/RT), Justin Herron (OT), Korey Cunningham (OT), Marcus Martin (C/G), Najee Toran (C), Yodny Cajuste (OT), Ross Reynolds (G)

Losing stalwart left guard Joe Thuney to the Chiefs and with center David Andrews set to hit free agency, this group could be without two foundational players. The most likely combination at this point is Wynn at left tackle, Onwenu at left guard, Mason at right guard and Brown at right tackle, with a big question at center.

Defensive line: Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise Jr., Henry Anderson, Beau Allen, Byron Cowart, Carl Davis, Rashod Berry, Nick Thurman, Bill Murray, Akeem Spence

Big changes up front with veteran two-gapper Lawrence Guy and interior penetrator Adam Butler still on the market. Godchaux and Anderson should help against the run, an area the front seven struggled with at times in 2020.

​

Linebacker: Dont'a Hightower, Matthew Judon, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Chase Winovich, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Terez Hall, Tashawn Bower, Cassh Maluia, Michael Pinckney, Brandon King

If Judon integrates into the Patriots' system, he offers a sturdy edge presence and pass-rush threat -- combined with Hightower -- that could reshape the front seven into one of the toughest, meanest units in the NFL.

Cornerback: Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson (RFA), Jonathan Jones, Joejuan Williams, Myles Bryant, Dee Virgin, Michael Jackson, D'Angelo Ross, Justin Bethel


Gilmore's $7 million salary still seems like something that will need to be addressed, as it's hard to imagine he's on board playing for that below-market number. With the Patriots liberally spending, perhaps they would also consider a bump for Gilmore.

Safety: Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Patrick Chung, Kyle Dugger, Jalen Mills

Mills is the only player in the NFL to play 50-plus snaps at all seven of these pre-snap locations last season: Left and right OLB; left and right slot CB; left and right wide CB and free safety. He's the type of versatile chess piece that could fit well given the variety of packages the Patriots play.

Special teams: Roberto Aguayo (kicker), Justin Rohrwasser (kicker), Jake Bailey (punter), Joe Cardona (long-snapper)

Veteran kicker Nick Folk, who was one of the team's MVPs last season, remains a free agent.

 

[1960Pats]

I'm in the minority in wanting James White to leave. His game is predicated on perfect blocking and gadget plays which I'm tired of seeing. We complain Michel is one dimensional, but that won't change if White continues to hijack touches from Michel and Harris. In fact, Michel was drafted to run and catch. Michel showed life week 17 running and catching the ball.

The interest in Fournette and Carson signal they want to pound teams into submission and that may spell the end for White.

James White is an incredible weapon. Nobody has a nose for the open spaces and the ability to catch and run like him. He'll be sorely missed if he leaves. The reason he wasn't as effective last year was because he didn't have a QB who could get him the ball. Watch and see what happens if he ends up in TB with a real QB.

 

[TheRainMaker]

James White is an incredible weapon. Nobody has a nose for the open spaces and the ability to catch and run like him. He'll be sorely missed if he leaves. The reason he wasn't as effective last year was because he didn't have a QB who could get him the ball. Watch and see what happens if he ends up in TB with a real QB.

I'm just not a fan of his as he's a gimmick guy and needs trickery and everyone to execute their blocks to be effective. Guys like him and Edelman, while are dependable, don't provide big chunk plays consistently which was discussed by some analysts this year. The 2019 offense had zero margin for error. And because of that, they took forever to move the ball down the field and eventually ran out of ideas when they finally got into the red zone. This continued in 2020. I want to see Michel/Harris and or Fournette/Carson get the bulk of the touches.

 

[50-yard-line]

Would love to see Bill value shopping now for:

A true NT (Shelton if and when he can pass a physical?).
A 4th RB.
A vet LB (Van Noy getting any offers?).

And I'd still like to see that #1 receiver (Samuel), but I don't expect it.

 

[jmt57]

It has only been a week and a half, but the depth chart has changed so dramatically that is already in need of an update. Our annual roster dart board roster projection threads can't be far away.

For the moment I am only going to include one current non-roster rookie: a quarterback TBD on April 29.

QB: Unknown Rookie, Cam Newton
Bubble: Jarrett Stidham, Jake Dolegala (PS)
Unsigned FA: Bryan Hoyer

RB: Sony Michel, Damien Harris, James White, J.J. Taylor, Brandon Bolden (ST), Jakob Johnson (FB)
Bubble: Danny Vitale (FB)
Unsigned FA: Rex Burkhead

WR: Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Julian Edelman, Jakobi Meyers, Matthew Slater (ST), Gunner Olszewski (ST)
Bubble: N'Keal Harry, Isaiah Zuber, Kristian Wilkerson (PS) , Devin Smith (PS);
Unsigned FA: Damiere Byrd

TE: Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Devin Asiasi
Bubble: Matt LaCosse, Dalton Keene

OL: Isaiah Wynn, Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Trent Brown, Ted Karras
Bubble: Justin Herron, Korey Cunningham, Yodny Cajuste, Ross Reynolds (PS), Marcus Martin;
Unsigned FA: Jermaine Eluemunor

DL: Lawrence Guy, Davon Godcheaux, Henry Anderson, Montravius Adams, Carl Davis, Akeem Spence
Deatrich Wise, Byron Cowart, Nick Thurman (PS), Bill Murray (Caddyshack PS)

LB: Matt Judon, Dont'a Hightower, Chase Winovich, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Uche, Brandon King (ST), Raekwon McMillan
Ja’Whaun Bentley, Anfernee Jennings, LaRoy Reynolds (ST), Terez Hall, Rashod Berry, Michael Pinckney
Unsigned FA: John Simon, Shilique Calhoun, Brandon Copeland

DB: Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips
Joejuan Williams, Kyle Dugger, Myles Bryant, Justin Bethel, Cody Davis, Michael Jackson, D'Angelo Ross, Dee Virgin

ST: P Jake Bailey, LS Joe Cardona, K Nick Folk, K Roberto Aguayo (PS)


Plenty of still undetermined roster spots.

 

[Lansdowne]

I would remove Gunner from bubble status. He was the best punt returner in the NFL last season (first-team All-Pro), and he’s affordable to keep. I think Gunner’s job is safe, especially in a franchise that puts such a premium on special teams.

 

[Wordsmyth]

I'd also remove Asiasi from the bubble.

 

[BTTA]

2nd year leap opportunities abound on this roster, in every positional grouping, which is remarkable.
Plus (as of now) 10 draft picks. This could be a very deep roster by October, with injury luck.