Patriots’ Roster: Ranking the best and worst positional groups

Going into the 2017 NFL league year the Patriots’ roster is once again stacked with talent. Furthermore, not only are the Patriots defending champs, they have perhaps the most loaded roster they’ve had under head coach Bill Belichick.

For some teams that may not mean much, but to say this Patriots’ roster is the most talented is telling considering New England has won at least 12 games seven years in a row. They have double-digit wins in 15 of the past 16 years, which also includes a perfect 16-0 regular season.

However even saying that they have the most talented roster in the Belichick and Brady era is no sure thing. The season hasn’t started and there is no guarantee that turns into success. Although it may seem that way considering their unprecedented run. That being said though, this roster has built very strong depth at a number of positions that should allow them to weather injuries should they arise. On the flip side, they also have some positions where they may be tested in the event of some injuries.

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Here are the three strongest and weakest positions on the team:
*Note: Ranking is 3rd weakest/strongest to weakest/strongest position

Weakest:

3.) Safety:

Starters- Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung

Backups- Duron Harmon, Nate Ebner, Jordan Richards, Brandon King (listed at safety, but more special teams/linebacker) D.J. Killings, Damarius Travis, David Jones, Jason Thompson

Analysis: It may be a case of nitpicking here by picking the safety position. Especially considering their third safety is one of the better deep safeties in the league. However, this roster just doesn’t have many weaknesses. Free safety is a non-issue with this team, but the backup strong safety for Chung leaves a little to be desired. The intention was that Jordan Richards would eventually be able to supplant Chung and take over the starting role, but Richards just hasn’t developed as planned. He is too stiff and slow turning to cover receivers and is too slow to process things.

However other than that this position is fine and should have the necessary depth to withstand some injuries provided Nate Ebner, Richards, or an undrafted free agent can give the coaches some confidence to play them in a pinch.

2.) Linebacker:

Starters- Dont’a Hightower, Rob Ninkovich, and Elandon Roberts

Backups- Shea McClellin, Kyle Van Noy, Jonathan Freeny, Harvey Langi, Brooks Ellis, Trevor Bates

Analysis: Another position that isn’t in terrible shape, but could improve. Hightower is an all-pro caliber linebacker and is a force in the run game and pass rush. Despite that, Ninkovich seemed to show some age last year and Freeny missed most of the year with an injury. On top of that, Van Noy showed some potential but was inconsistent in pass coverage. McClellin was too inconsistent to see heavy snaps despite his athleticism.

One sleeper here is Langi, who was signed to a very high signing bonus and excelled in pass coverage in college. If Langi can supplant Freeny or McClellin as a key piece on defense, the linebacker group gets a lot more diverse with Roberts and Hightower against the run, Langi and Van Noy against pass coverage, and McClellin as a wild card of sorts.

One thing the Patriots could not afford at this position is the loss of Hightower for any extended period of time. He is the only high-level starter they have at this position, and with the lack of elite play at defensive tackle, is incredibly important against the run.

1.) Defensive End:

Starters- Kony Ealy and Trey Flowers

Backups- Geneo Grissom, Derek Rivers, Deatrich Wise

Analysis: Defensive end is usually a position that does more than just rush the passer, which can make this tough to evaluate with the wide variety of tasks they are asked to do. One thing that is clear looking at this depth chart is that the Patriots will be relying heavily on younger players with Wise and Rivers looking like very important depth pieces for the Pats.

Another potential concern is relying on the inconsistent Kony Ealy to play heavy snaps. If he can’t unlock the potential he showed in the Super Bowl a couple years backs for Carolina, the Pats may need to seek help at the deadline or hope one of the two young guys breaks out early.

One last note is that the recently signed Lawrence Guy can shift to defensive end in some cases and may on early downs against the run.

Just missed: Guard

Analysis:

The Patriots drafted two tackles in this draft, leaving just Ted Karras as the only player with any investment or experience in the system on the inside for the Patriots. Karras looked like a solid player, but should Shaq Mason or Joe Thuney go down, this could be a concern for the Patriots.

Strongest:

3.) Cornerback:

Starters- Malcolm Butler and Stephon Gilmore

Backups- Eric Rowe, Justin Coleman, Cyrus Jones, Jonathan Jones, Dwayne Thomas, Will Likely, Kenny Moore

Analysis: One position this team is clearly better than the 2007 team is at cornerback. As a tandem, Malcolm Butler and Stephon Gilmore should be amongst the top duos in the league. Even better, they both have different strengths and physical traits. Gilmore is a bigger corner with elite athletics tools, while Butler is a small corner, but very good reactive athleticism and extremely smart. Throw in Eric Rowe and this group is absolutely loaded.

The only concern here is what will happen at the slot corner position. The leader in the clubhouse is Jonathan Jones, who impressed last year on special teams. Jones clearly showed something as he was the starting slot corner in OTA’s. Jones has blazing speed, though is a little undersized to be an outside corner. If he or Cyrus Jones can become a solid slot corner, this team may have the deepest group of corners in the NFL.

2.) Running Back:

Starters- Mike Gillislee and James White (3rd down back)

Backups- Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, D.J. Foster, James Develin, Brandon Bolden, Glenn Gronkowski, LeShun Daniels Jr.

Analysis: Another position that has an embarrassment of riches after the spending spree this offseason. Going into the offseason most thought the Patriots would add a power back regardless if LeGarrette Blount came back. Little did we know Belichick would add Gillislee. A young power guy who should be an immediate upgrade over Blount, Gillislee is a true one-cut back. He hits the hole with devastating power and has the speed to run away from defenders.

On the flip side, Rex Burkhead should be extremely effective out of the backfield giving them another option aside from the recently extended James White that is reliable, smart, and elusive in the open field. Burkhead should see a lot of touches both carrying the ball and as a receiver.

Aside from those three guys, we still haven’t mentioned the abilities of Dion Lewis, the potential of D.J. Foster, the intelligence and special teams’ ability of Brandon Bolden, and the ability of James Develin as the hammer and lead blocker in the power run game.

This team has an unfair advantage at running back and should be nearly impossible to stop.

1.) Wide Receiver:

Starters- Brandin Cooks and Julian Edelman

Backups- Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, Malcolm Mitchell, Andrew Hawkins, Austin Carr, Devin Lucien, DeAndrew White, Cody Hollister

Analysis: And the deepest position on the Patriots is the receiver position. After trading for stud speedster Brandin Cooks, this team should have every route and facet of the passing game covered. Cooks and Hogan are both speedsters. They should give Brady a deep target to keep safeties honest and preventing them from helping on the seam routes and short passes.

On the short passes, Edelman should be dominant with this cast of options. Amendola and Mitchell should provide excellent insurance options for both the inside and outside guys. Furthermore, Hawkins, Carr, and Hollister represent intriguing developmental options should the Patriots need to stash the latter two on the practice squad.

The depth and ability of this grouping will allow the Patriots to keep rotating guys in-and-out. Keeping players fresh, avoiding injuries, and being able to set up game-by-game plans for each player’s skillset.

Simply put, there is no defense to stop the diverse and impressive skill sets the group possesses.

Just missed: Quarterback

Analysis: Perhaps the best grouping in the NFL, the Patriots have an interesting quarterback room. This room consists of the greatest quarterback to ever play; A young up-and-coming and highly talented player; And a developmental prospect with solid toughness and good natural ability.

No other team can match the Patriots ability as a team that has a hall of fame level starter, a young guy ready to go as a backup, and a prospect for the future to develop.

Once again the Patriots’ roster is insanely loaded, and yes it is unfair to the competition. Even at the backup quarterback spots.

– David Albiani is a Staff Writer for cover32/Patriots and covers the New England Patriots. Like and follow on Follow @realnesportsfan Follow @cover32_NE and Facebook.

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