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5 New England Patriots Facing Make-or-Break Seasons In 2015

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5 New England Patriots Facing Make-or-Break Seasons in 2015

Alan Branch
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots are still fresh off of their Super Bowl win in February and are hoping to repeat their success in 2015. It isn't going to be easy with the entire NFL gunning for them, but they have a lot of talent on their roster. Bill Belichick knows that they will need every single player playing to their full potential to win another championship. These five players are all facing make-or-break seasons in 2015.

5. Malcolm Butler, Cornerback

Malcolm Butler
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

5. Malcolm Butler, Cornerback

Malcolm Butler
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Prior to the Super Bowl last season, Malcolm Butler was not considered a major playmaker for the New England defense. After intercepting a Russell Wilson pass at the goal line that would have won a championship ring, he became an immediate hero. Now he has to live up to all the hype surrounding that play in 2015 and has to prove that he can be a legitimate starting cornerback.

4. Alan Branch, Defensive Tackle

Alan Branch
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

4. Alan Branch, Defensive Tackle

Alan Branch
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Alan Branch is a very intimidating presence on the defensive line at 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, and he will likely see his role increase in 2015. New England let go of star defensive tackle Vince Wilfork in free agency, and there aren't many players as big as he was to stuff the line. Branch has that ability, and it will be interesting to see whether or not he can make the impact the Patriots need.

3. Brandon Spikes, Linebacker

Brandon Spikes
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

3. Brandon Spikes, Linebacker

Brandon Spikes
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Last offseason, Brandon Spikes decided to leave the Patriots and head off to their division rival Buffalo Bills. He talked quite a bit of smack about New England, and now he has decided to return. New England needs him to step up and be a defensive leader. If he's unable to do so, thenthey will likely move on from him once again.

2. Jonas Gray, Running Back

Jonas Gray
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jonas Gray, Running Back

Jonas Gray
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Jonas Gray showed signs of star potential last year when he was given the chance, but he wasn't able to keep his starting job. He ended up carrying the football 89 times for 412 yards and five touchdowns on the season, and will have to earn his playing time once again in 2015. New England has LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Bolden and James White for him to compete with, and he'll have to figure out a way to break through and earn a job.

1. Aaron Dobson, Wide Receiver

Aaron Dobson
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

1. Aaron Dobson, Wide Receiver

Aaron Dobson
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into his third season with the New England Patriots, Aaron Dobson is on thin ice and has to find a way to impact the offense. Tom Brady could always use more targets to play with, and the 6-foot-3 wide receiver out of Marshall could be the type of guy that he needs. It isn't going to be easy for him to carve out a role in the offense, but he certainly has the potential to break out in 2015.

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