How Patriots’ Depth Chart Looks After Free Agency Spending Frenzy

The Patriots overhauled their roster

by

Mar 24, 2021

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected

      The New England Patriots raced through free agency with a shopping cart in hand early this week, tossing in pass-catchers and defenders in a "Supermarket Sweep" frenzy.

      Head coach "Dolla, Dolla" Bill Belichick came away with nine potential starters in wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, tight ends Hunter Henry Jonnu Smith, outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Matt Judon, defensive linemen Davon Godchaux and Henry Anderson and defensive back Jalen Mills.

      The Patriots should still have a few million dollars left in cap space, and they have the draft to fill in the rest of their needs. But here's a look at how New England's depth chart currently stacks up:

      QUARTERBACK
      Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham, Jake Dolegala

      Free agent: Brian Hoyer

      The Patriots should still look to add a piece here via trade, free agency or the draft. Newton needs some competition beyond Stidham and Dolegala.

      RUNNING BACK
      Damien Harris, James White, Sony Michel, J.J. Taylor, Brandon Bolden

      Free agents: Rex Burkhead

      The Patriots could be all set at running back with Harris, White, Michel, Taylor and Bolden if they want to be. Burkhead suffered a serious knee injury during the 2020 season and still could return.

      FULLBACK
      Jakob Johnson, Danny Vitale

      Tight end Dalton Keene also could contribute at fullback.

      WIDE RECEIVER
      Julian Edelman, Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, N'Keal Harry, Gunner Olszewski, Matthew Slater, Devin Smith, Kristian Wilkerson, Isaiah Zuber

      Free agents: Damiere Byrd

      Look for the Patriots to potentially sign another low-level free agent and see what's available in the draft. We've slotted Edelman at the top, but he's no guarantee to be available. He is working out and rehabbing as if he plans to play, according to a source.

      TIGHT END
      Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, Matt LaCosse

      The Patriots are loaded at tight end with Smith and Henry. Asiasi and Keene might not see the field very often in 2021.

      OFFENSIVE LINE
      LT Isaiah Wynn, LG Michael Onwenu, C David Andrews, RG Shaq Mason, RT Trent Brown, Ted Karras, Justin Herron, Korey Cunningham, Marcus Martin, Yodny Cajuste, Najee Toran, Ross Reynolds

      Free agents: OL Jermaine Eluemunor, C James Ferentz

      The Patriots have one of the best and deepest offensive lines in the NFL. They could look to add more offensive tackle and guard depth through the draft.

      DEFENSIVE LINE
      Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson, Deatrich Wise, Byron Cowart, Montravius Adams, Carl Davis, Akeem Spence, Tashawn Bower, Michael Barnett, Nick Thurman, Bill Murray

      Guy, who signed Wednesday, completes this group. They could still look to add another developmental option in the draft.

      LINEBACKER
      Dont'a Hightower, Matt Judon, Kyle Van Noy, Chase Winovich, Josh Uche, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Anfernee Jennings, Terez Hall, Raekwon McMillan, LaRoy Reynolds, Rashod Berry, Brandon King

      Free agents: John Simon, Shilique Calhoun

      The Patriots head into draft season without an immediate need at linebacker. They also have Winovich, Uche, Jennings and Hall, all of whom could continue developing.

      CORNERBACK
      Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson (RFA), Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Joejuan Williams, Myles Bryant, Justin Bethel, Mike Jackson, Dee Virgin, D'Angelo Ross

      Free agent: Jason McCourty

      Things get complicated here at cornerback since Gilmore is still due a raise (or a trade). Adding Mills helps any uncertainty surrounding New England's top cornerback. Jackson was tagged with a second-round tender. If another team signs Jackson to an offer sheet, he accepts and the Patriots decline to match, New England will receive a second-round pick in return for the young cornerback.

      SAFETY
      Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Cody Davis

      Jones, Mills, Williams and Bryant can also play safety.

      SPECIAL TEAMS
      K Nick Folk, P Jake Bailey, LS Joe Cardona, K Roberto Aguayo

      The Patriots should look to release one of their kickers (not Folk) to create another spot on the roster before the draft.

      Thumbnail photo via Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports Images
      Boston Red Sox third baseman Bobby Dalbec
      Previous Article

      Bobby Dalbec Would Not Mind Hitting Ninth In Red Sox’s Batting Order

      Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon
      Next Article

      Did Timberwolves Miss Opportunity To Land Aaron Gordon This Winter?

      Picked For You