The New England Patriots suffered some major losses this offseason.
Tom Brady, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Danny Shelton lead the list of departed players. Bill Belichick didn’t make aggressive moves in free agency to replace these players — he didn’t make any moves at all to replace Brady. New England replenished the linebacker position in the NFL draft and even grabbed two tight ends to address that dire need.
Fortunately for the Patriots, Belichick always finds players to step up and replace the ones they lost. This year won’t be any different and here are six players who could take major leaps in 2020.
Chase Winovich, DE
One of biggest steals of the 2019 NFL Draft was Chase Winovich out of Michigan. He was selected with the No. 77 pick in the third round and fit the Patriots’ mold perfectly. He’s a pass-rushing monster who has endless energy and craftiness that can’t be taught. Winovich played all 16 games last season — while recording 26 tackles, 10 quarterback hits and 5.5 sacks.
Van Noy and Collins accounted for 13.5 sacks last season and that void will give Winovich the opportunity to take over. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound edge-rusher has extremely good odds of grabbing a starting role and doubling his sack total in 2020.
Jarrett Stidham, QB
Jarrett Stidham is an obvious candidate to take a giant leap forward. He’s likely gonna go from a 2019 fourth-round pick to the quarterback who replaces Brady after two decades of dominance. Belichick proved his confidence in Stidham by deferring to draft a quarterback or select one in free agency.
Stidham had one of the best rookie preseasons under Belichick for a quarterback and he’s earned praise from people all around the league. Brady’s shoes could arguably the biggest to fill in NFL history, but Stidham has some experienced coaches around to guide him through.
N’Keal Harry, WR
N’Keal Harry’s rookie season didn’t go as planned. He’s the only wide receiver drafted by Belichick in the first round and he missed a majority of the season with an ankle injury. He played in seven games and only grabbed 12 catches with 105 yards and two touchdowns. Harry’s 6-foot-4, 225 pound frame and freaky ability to highpoint the football was the reason he was drafted so high.
Harry won’t have much competition on the roster for reps, playing alongside Julian Edelman and Mohamed Sanu. As long as he remains injury-free, Harry will become a focal point in the offense.
Mohamed Sanu, WR
Mohamed Sanu had a disappointing start in New England. The well-accomplished receiver suffered an early injury with the team after being traded for a second-round pick. Sanu finished the season with 26 receptions, 207 yards and one touchdown in eight games. He’s remained extremely durable and averages 564 yards in the eight seasons he’s played.
Sanu will be a leader for Harry and the young receivers, along with a much-needed target for Stidham. The 2020 campaign should be significantly better for the 30-year-old.
Isaiah Wynn, LT
Isaiah Wynn is an injury-plagued left tackle with an insane amount of potential. In the game’s he’s played over the past two seasons, there’s been a significant difference on Brady’s blindside. He missed his entire rookie season with a torn achilles and was sidelined for eight games last season with a toe injury.
If Wynn can play all 16 games in 2020, he’ll make the offense notably better. Sony Michel played behind Wynn in college and proved he can rush better behind the first-round tackle. The Patriots desperately need Wynn to be healthy if a deep playoff run is in mind.
Adam Butler, DT
Adam Butler has flown under the radar from an undrafted free agent to an undoubted starter for the Patriots this season. Danny Shelton left in free agency this offseason, leaving Butler with a key role in the trenches alongside Lawrence Guy. Butler progressively has improved over the past three seasons and finished 2019 with six sacks.
The Patriots’ depth on the defensive line is thin and Butler will be expected to play a career-high in snaps. He’s on par for a breakout season and there’s no better story than an undrafted player who climbs his way to the top of NFL ranks.
