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5 New England Patriots Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5 New England Patriots Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

NFL: Super Bowl XLIX-New England Patriots Parade
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The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots seem to be in good shape heading into the 2015 NFL season, but question marks still remain. Players will rise and fall on the depth chart. There will also be players who will be asked to step up their game in order to benefit the team.

What Patriots head the list of who must step up?

5. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB

Jimmy Garoppolo
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB

Jimmy Garoppolo
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With the suspension of Tom Brady looming, it will be the young Garoppolo under center for the first four games. It will be a big chance to show off his skills and show people why he was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. It will be his chance to lead the Patriots and give fans a glimpse of things to expect in the future. On the other hand, he could be showcased for other teams who need a quarterback while Brady sits out.

4. Travaris Cadet, RB

Travaris Cadet
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

4. Travaris Cadet, RB

Travaris Cadet
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Cadet, who left New Orleans to join New England, will be tagged as the replacement to Shane Vereen, who departed in free agency. The quick back is a pass-catching specialist and could become a viable option in the offense. The targets will be there for Cadet's taking, it is his job to seize them and make the most out of his chances. Cadet could form a nice duo with big bruising back LeGarrette Blount, who figures to be the primary rusher.

3. Malcolm Butler, CB

Malcolm Butler
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

3. Malcolm Butler, CB

Malcolm Butler
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Super Bowl hero, who has never been more than a depth option at corner, will now be asked to step his game up. He will fight for one of the starting jobs as both of last year's starters, Revis and Browner, are gone. Butler is a very intelligent corner with good size, so he could surprise his doubters this season if given a fighting chance at a starting job. He will have to fend off veterans Bradley Fletcher, Robert McClain and Logan Ryan.

2. Aaron Dobson, WR

Aaron Dobson
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2. Aaron Dobson, WR

Aaron Dobson
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Dobson has shown flashes of his potential in vast little spurts so far over his career. The Patriots are still looking for him to take the next step and become the productive receiver who they had envisioned when they drafted him. He won't have too much pressure as he projects as the No. 4 or 5 receiver going into training camp. If he can step up, he could able to slide into a starting job alongside Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman.

1. Dominique Easley, DT

Dominique Easley
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

1. Dominique Easley, DT

Dominique Easley
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

New England will look to Dominique Easley to fill the shoes of Vince Wilfork, who departed in free agency. The young defensive tackle has a lot of potential and enters his second season with no lingering injuries, something that hindered him last season. New England selected another young defensive tackle in Malcom Brown this year to form a dynamic duo in the middle. Easley and Brown will look to anchor the Patriots' defense this season.

Brandon Laass is a writer for RantSports.
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