And some guys just aren't leaders...and that too is okay if they produce statistically and are not "anarchists" (non-leaders).
The issue is you do have to have some leaders regardless...some may by example...others by charisma...others by knowledge...others by mitigation....etc, etc. Hopefully Duggar is both player and leader, but as you stated - that is yet to be determined (nor expected).
Agree completely, but there is also existing leaders to take into account. You can be an exceptional young ST player on this team but there is also Slater, Bethel, and Adrian Philips to consider, Gunner will one day be a leader, but sometimes the mantle has to be passed.
Overall this is one of the most interesting issues to me as they transition from the past dynasty to being a contender going forward. Replacing all this championship leaders and creating new ones who have that same quality is central to being a great team year in and year out. Slater, White, Hightower, McCourty, and possibly Guy are all leaders who are at or close to the end of their careers, and those units are the ones where new leaders have to emerge, and some are clearly in waiting. Gunner on ST’s, Harris at RB, Judon at LB, Duggar, Jones, and JC Jackson in the secondary.
I think Andrews is the leader of the OL, and both Smith and Henry will lead at TE. And as much criticism as has been leveled at WR they have good young leaders in Bourne and Meyers. And obviously Mac Jones will be a leader both at QB and offensively.
The more I look at it the better I feel about their future, it’s much easier to develop incoming players into the systems if you have really strong leadership in every unit, and the Patriots are loaded with it, both now and going forward.