As training camp approaches, there are still a number of roster spots that will invite some fierce competition this summer. This offseason will be another one for the Patriots where they will be forced to cut some high-quality players due to the depth across the roster.
Outside of the new draft class and a handful of free agent signings, there are a number of players from last year’s team that need to make a second-year leap in order to prove their worth to the team.
4. WR Braxton Berrios
Berrios made some waves for himself following minicamp earlier this month after offering very little last offseason due to injury. Looking at the receiver depth chart, there are a lot of opportunities for hungry players to assert themselves as mainstays in the offense this season.
With Julian Edelman and rookie N’Keal Harry solidified as key cogs at the position, Berrios has a great opportunity to step in and fill the slot receiver role. Highly touted for his intelligence and gritty demeanor, if Berrios can stay healthy and build a strong rapport with Tom Brady, he can flourish this season.
3. DB Obi Melifonwu
After joining the Patriots midway through the season last year, Melifonwu finds himself at an interesting position this offseason. There is no read on how exactly the team feels about him but training camp will give ample opportunity to prove himself. Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon and Patrick Chung are still the leaders of the position group but McCourty and Chung are on the wrong side of 30 with no clear replacement on the roster.
This is why it is imperative that Melifonwu makes a case for the team to keep him around. He features impressive size and athleticism which is tailor-made for the current NFL. If Melifonwu can prove worthy of a roster spot, he could easily replace one of the Patriots veterans somewhere down the road.
2. CB Keion Crossen
As one of the only healthy rookies to make the 2018 roster, Crossen returns with some valuable experience under his belt. Although he did not play much on the starting defense, he did provide a dependable boost to the special teams unit last year. Crossen has also been pegged as a potential Matthew Slater replacement, so it is clear the team values his contributions there.
The hurdle this summer for Crossen is depth in the secondary, as well as the special teams unit. The Patriots drafted cornerback Ken Webster in the seventh round of the draft this year and he could directly compete with Crossen for a roster spot. The team also signed Terrence Brooks in free agency, who is a lock to make the team and figures to be a strong contributor on special teams. Add Brooks to the trove of special teams studs that Bill Belichick already employs and there may not be room for Crossen. However, if Crossen can continue to grow and add more snaps on defense to his resume it would be hard to see the team let him go.
1. CB Duke Dawson
Dawson finds himself in an odd spot a year after being drafted in the second round. He missed the majority of his rookie season with hamstring issues and even when he did return, he was a healthy scratch. Some of that could be due to the depth and health at the position last season, but regardless, Dawson enters this summer needing to prove his worth for a roster spot.
Again, the depth at the cornerback position is an obstacle for Dawson, particularly with Jonathan Jones likely holding down the slot cornerback position. Now, there is no such thing as too many cornerbacks in Belichick’s eyes, so the competition this summer will be great to watch. Dawson needs to make the leap and cement himself as a piece of the secondary moving forward.
