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NFL • 10 months ago

New England Patriots Positional Breakdown From Worst To First

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New England Patriots Positional Breakdown From Worst To First

Jamie Collins New England Patriots — The New England Patriots have plenty of different pieces heading into training camp after a busy offseason. Some areas of strength took hits, while reinforcements were brought in to improve other positions. Here are the Patriots’ current positional rankings, from worst to first, as they prepare to defend their Super Bowl championship.

The New England Patriots have plenty of different pieces heading into training camp after a busy offseason. Some areas of strength took hits, while reinforcements were brought in to improve other positions. Here are the Patriots’ current positional rankings, from worst to first, as they prepare to defend their Super Bowl championship.

10. Cornerback

Bradley Fletcher New England Patriots

10. Cornerback

Bradley Fletcher New England Patriots — The loss of Darrelle Revis changes everything, as the Patriots will no longer be able to take out opponents’ top receivers. The Pats are now stuck with relatively unproven cornerbacks to go along with veteran Bradley Fletcher, who was acquired this offseason. Fletcher joins third-year corner Logan Ryan and Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler as the team’s top options on the outside. Robert McClain, Justin Green and rookie Darryl Roberts provide depth.

The loss of Darrelle Revis changes everything, as the Patriots will no longer be able to take out opponents’ top receivers. The Pats are now stuck with relatively unproven cornerbacks to go along with veteran Bradley Fletcher, who was acquired this offseason. Fletcher joins third-year corner Logan Ryan and Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler as the team’s top options on the outside. Robert McClain, Justin Green and rookie Darryl Roberts provide depth.

9. Defensive Tackle

Sealver Siliga and Alan Branch New England Patriots

9. Defensive Tackle

Sealver Siliga and Alan Branch New England Patriots — The Patriots were average at best stopping the run in 2014, and that was with Vince Wilfork. With Wilfork now playing in Houston, the Patriots head into training camp with a mix of average veterans and unproven youth at the position. Sealver Siliga, Alan Branch, Chris Jones and Joe Vellano are serviceable veterans. The key to how this position comes together will be the development of first-rounders Dominique Easley and Malcom Brown.

The Patriots were average at best stopping the run in 2014, and that was with Vince Wilfork. With Wilfork now playing in Houston, the Patriots head into training camp with a mix of average veterans and unproven youth at the position. Sealver Siliga, Alan Branch, Chris Jones and Joe Vellano are serviceable veterans. The key to how this position comes together will be the development of first-rounders Dominique Easley and Malcom Brown.

8. Safety

Devin McCourty New England Patriots

8. Safety

Devin McCourty New England Patriots — The Patriots re-signed Devin McCourty, who is one of the most reliable free safeties in the NFL. They are still average at strong safety, however, with veteran Patrick Chung currently atop the depth chart. Rookie Jordan Richards and 2012 second-rounder Tavon Wilson could push Chung and hopefully improve the position. A wild card is Duron Harmon, who has been the team’s third safety and has the physical qualities to play both positions.

The Patriots re-signed Devin McCourty, who is one of the most reliable free safeties in the NFL. They are still average at strong safety, however, with veteran Patrick Chung currently atop the depth chart. Rookie Jordan Richards and 2012 second-rounder Tavon Wilson could push Chung and hopefully improve the position. A wild card is Duron Harmon, who has been the team’s third safety and has the physical qualities to play both positions.

7. Offensive Line

Nate Solder New England Patriots

7. Offensive Line

Nate Solder New England Patriots — The Patriots are set at starting tackle with Sebastian Vollmer and Nate Solder, but aside from Marcus Cannon they lack quality depth. The bigger issue was that guards Dan Connolly – still a free agent – and Ryan Wendell spent too much time in their own backfield. The Pats hope rookies Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason can prove to be quality starters in the league and at least provide depth. When healthy, Bryan Stork did a good job as a rookie center.

The Patriots are set at starting tackle with Sebastian Vollmer and Nate Solder, but aside from Marcus Cannon they lack quality depth. The bigger issue was that guards Dan Connolly – still a free agent – and Ryan Wendell spent too much time in their own backfield. The Pats hope rookies Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason can prove to be quality starters in the league and at least provide depth. When healthy, Bryan Stork did a good job as a rookie center.

6. Running Back

LeGarrette Blount New England Patriots

6. Running Back

LeGarrette Blount New England Patriots — There are no running backs on the Patriots' roster to scare opponents, but they have a slew of hard-charging, no-nonsense power backs led by LeGarrette Blount. Behind Blount, the Pats have quality depth with Brandon Bolden, Jonas Gray and Tyler Gaffney. The major question heading into the 2015 season is whether Travaris Cadet, or second-year player James White, can take over the role that Shane Vereen handled as well as any back in the NFL.

There are no running backs on the Patriots' roster to scare opponents, but they have a slew of hard-charging, no-nonsense power backs led by LeGarrette Blount. Behind Blount, the Pats have quality depth with Brandon Bolden, Jonas Gray and Tyler Gaffney. The major question heading into the 2015 season is whether Travaris Cadet, or second-year player James White, can take over the role that Shane Vereen handled as well as any back in the NFL.

5. Wide Receiver

Julian Edelman New England Patriots

5. Wide Receiver

Julian Edelman New England Patriots — What makes this one of the more effective units in the NFL is the details that lead to success. They catch the ball consistently, run precise routes and play with toughness. The leader is Julian Edelman, who is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Danny Amendola came on late in the season, and Brandon LaFell was a nice addition on the outside. A deep threat is needed, and the Pats hope Bryan Tyms or Aaron Dobson can fill that role.

What makes this one of the more effective units in the NFL is the details that lead to success. They catch the ball consistently, run precise routes and play with toughness. The leader is Julian Edelman, who is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Danny Amendola came on late in the season, and Brandon LaFell was a nice addition on the outside. A deep threat is needed, and the Pats hope Bryan Tyms or Aaron Dobson can fill that role.

4. Quarterback

Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo New England Patriots

4. Quarterback

Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo — Suspension or not, Tom Brady is, along with Aaron Rodgers, the best in the game. If Brady is suspended by this ridiculous, blown-out-of-proportion scandal, the Pats will have to rely on second-year player Jimmy Garoppolo. The Pats are enamored with Garoppolo’s skill set, but being thrown into the fire will test how far he's developed. How Garoppolo fares could go a long way in deciding how the 2015 season plays out.

Suspension or not, Tom Brady is, along with Aaron Rodgers, the best in the game. If Brady is suspended by this ridiculous, blown-out-of-proportion scandal, the Pats will have to rely on second-year player Jimmy Garoppolo. The Pats are enamored with Garoppolo’s skill set, but being thrown into the fire will test how far he's developed. How Garoppolo fares could go a long way in deciding how the 2015 season plays out.

3. Defensive End

Jabaal Sheard New England Patriots

3. Defensive End

Jabaal Sheard New England Patriots — Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard should become a great trio. We all know what Ninkovich brings, but the keys will be Jones reaching another level and Sheard excelling in the Pats’ scheme. The Patriots added three rookies with nearly identical physical traits in the draft. Geneo Grissom, Trey Flowers and Xzavier Dickson, along with second-year player Zach Moore, will compete for spots on the final roster.

Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard should become a great trio. We all know what Ninkovich brings, but the keys will be Jones reaching another level and Sheard excelling in the Pats’ scheme. The Patriots added three rookies with nearly identical physical traits in the draft. Geneo Grissom, Trey Flowers and Xzavier Dickson, along with second-year player Zach Moore, will compete for spots on the final roster.

2. Linebacker

Dont'a Hightower New England Patriots

2. Linebacker

Dont'a Hightower — This could be the Patriots' best linebacking unit since the mid-2000s. Jamie Collins is a stud and rising to elite status, and Dont’a Hightower is a versatile and physical presence. If Jerod Mayo can remain healthy and Brandon Spikes can regain his form, the Patriots will be as deep and talented as any unit in the NFL. The slot that is up for grabs is sub-package linebacker. The candidates are rookie Matt Wells and veteran Dane Fletcher.

This could be the Patriots' best linebacking unit since the mid-2000s. Jamie Collins is a stud and rising to elite status, and Dont’a Hightower is a versatile and physical presence. If Jerod Mayo can remain healthy and Brandon Spikes can regain his form, the Patriots will be as deep and talented as any unit in the NFL. The slot that is up for grabs is sub-package linebacker. The candidates are rookie Matt Wells and veteran Dane Fletcher.

1. Tight End

Scott Chandler New England Patriots

1. Tight End

Scott Chandler New England Patriots — Rob Gronkowski is the best in the game. Gronk dominates and is a mismatch nightmare for opponents. The Pats brought in another giant in free agency, signing 6-foot-7, 260-pound Scott Chandler, who provides another threat down the seams. Michael Hoomanawanui does the dirty work and could stick as the team’s third tight end. If the Pats decide to keep a ‘move’ tight end, the battle between Fred Davis and Tim Wright will be interesting to monitor.

Rob Gronkowski is the best in the game. Gronk dominates and is a mismatch nightmare for opponents. The Pats brought in another giant in free agency, signing 6-foot-7, 260-pound Scott Chandler, who provides another threat down the seams. Michael Hoomanawanui does the dirty work and could stick as the team’s third tight end. If the Pats decide to keep a ‘move’ tight end, the battle between Fred Davis and Tim Wright will be interesting to monitor.

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New England Patriots

Nick Sardina is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.

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