The New England Patriots finally had the chance to get a look at their team in action during the team’s mandatory minicamp practices.
With many changes since last season, the Patriots will look like an entirely different team heading into 2019. They lost players like Rob Gronkowski, Trey Flowers, Trent Brown, Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson.
On the other hand, they were able to bring in some very talented players like, Michael Bennett, Jamie Collins, Demaryius Thomas and rookie wide receiver N’Keal Harry. The only constant pieces that New England needs to succeed are Bill Belichick and Tom Brady — who have been with the team for two decades.
Similar to Brady, the Patriots have been very gifted at finding diamonds in the rough. Minicamp was only held for three days, but it gave us a glimpse of potential diamonds in the rough that could wear a Patriots uniform in September.
Here are three overlooked offensive players that could make the team’s 53-man roster.
1. Maurice Harris (WR)
Maurice Harris is a 6-foot-3, 200 pound wide receiver that has spent three seasons in the NFL with the Washington Redskins. His name has been tossed around quite often lately because of his impressive showing during minicamp. He’s a larger guy that is comfortable in the slot, and even played there in college.
“I feel pretty good,” Harris told reporters after minicamp on Tuesday. “Outside, inside – it doesn’t matter to me. I like to go and just try to perform the best I can and learn. The speed of the game is pretty fast, so I just got to continue to pick up on the plays and the defenses and stuff like that. I feel good.”
Initially, his chances to make the roster seemed pretty slim because of the talented receivers around him. Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry and Philip Dorsett seem to be roster locks — while Josh Gordon, Demaryius Thomas, and Dontrelle Inman are all talented veterans that have had successful careers.
Harris has a few things going for him to potentially surpass those veterans, and it begins with his performance in minicamp. He caught all 13 of his passes, and was taking top-team reps with Edelman and Dorsett. He also has a contract that guarantees only $90,000 — so he would by far be the most cost effective receiver on the field.
He still has a long way to go if he’s going to make the roster — but he’s off to a great start.
2. Stephen Anderson (TE)
Stephen Anderson is a 6-foot-3, 230 pound tight end that spent his first two seasons in the NFL with the Houston Texans. He reeled in 25 receptions for 342 yards and a touchdown last season. In the past, Anderson would be thought of more as a practice squad player, and wouldn’t be considered as a roster lock.
But, things change, and the Patriots are shockingly desperate at the tight end position. Gronkowski retired, and the likely starter will be Matt LaCosse — who the Patriots signed in the offseason. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is taking time off for personal issues, and Ben Watson will miss the first four games because of a suspension.
Anderson is doing everything that he can to prepare, and make the best of this new opportunity.
“I feel like throughout my career, since high school, when I’ve gotten an opportunity, I’ve done well,” He told reporters after minicamp on Wednesday. “So I’m excited to get on the field. I’m excited to put these practice days in and really work. And to be in this offense and be on this field, they’ve got to trust you and they’ve got to know that you’re going to do the right thing every single time.”
He has put on about 10 pounds during the offseason and put an emphasis on lower body strength. Blocking is one of the most important attributes for a Patriots tight end, and Anderson wants to be the best overall player that he can be.
This is the perfect time for a tight end like Anderson to capitalize on the moment and fight for a roster spot.
3. Braxton Berrios (WR)
Braxton Berrios is a 5-foot-9, 186 pound receiver that spent his first NFL year with the Patriots in the injured reserve list. He is an interesting prospect, because of his similarity to Edelman, Wes Welker and Danny Amendola. Berrios fits the short slot receiver mold that has worked so well for New England throughout their incredible run.
Although he’s spent an entire year on the sidelines, he has been studying and becoming a better football player from a mental aspect.
“I’ve never had to watch football for the most part,” Berrios told reporters after day two of minicamp. “It was obviously tough in that aspect. I reached out and figured out the healthy ways to deal with it and the ways to be productive with it so that when I could come back on the field I was a better football player even though I hadn’t touched the field yet.”
Not only did he just learn from film though, he also learned from other teammates and coaches.
“Honestly, I learned a lot,” Berrios said. “I grew a lot in all phases of being a football player and being a person and just meshing with everybody in the building. I got so much better from then to now overall just knowing everything — learning everything, let’s put it that way. … (But) I don’t take any of the knowledge for granted. I still study like everything is brand new.”
He made an incredible catch on the first day of minicamp that highlighted the day, and he finished out the next two days with a strong showing. Similar to Harris, he is a receiver that stood out and has the full capability of making the 2019 roster.
It will ultimately come down to how well he plays, but also the availability of receivers like Thomas and Gordon.
