The New England Patriots had a large rookie class last season — so large that few of them ended up having an impact.
Many players ended up on injured reserve or the practice squad, where they were given time to develop while the team’s active roster made a Super Bowl run. But the Patriots may have big plans for their young group of players. The Patriots, after all, have a handful of openings on their depth chart but they don’t have a lot of cap space.
The team could look to a handful of younger players from the 2018 and 2019 draft classes to step up. Here’s a look at some 2018 players who sat out last year but could make an impact next season.
One note before we proceed: Keep in mind that the season starts in September. Free agency is far from over. The draft comes in April. These players may get again buried on the depth chart by incoming talent. For now, it’s worth introducing them as options.
7. Damoun Patterson, WR
He was an undrafted free agent out of Youngstown State, the alma mater of defensive end Derek Rivers. He started his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a program which has a long history of identifying and developing talent at the receiver position. Patterson had a strong preseason performance but couldn’t make the roster, and landed with New England during the regular season. At Youngstown State in 2017, he caught 32 passes for a team-high 555 yards and four touchdowns at 17.3 yards per catch. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound wideout could be a compelling competitor for an outside receiver spot in New England’s offense.
6. Christian Sam, LB
The Patriots’ linebacker corps looked outstanding in 2018, particular in the playoff run when Kyle Van Noy, Dont’a Hightower and Elandon Roberts were instrumental down the stretch. Next season, Ja’Whaun Bentley will return from injury and create even more depth at the position, perhaps returning to his job as a starter. But Sam has the athleticism that makes him a compelling addition to the group. If he spent the 2018 season learning, he might just find a way to put it all together and contribute in 2019.
5. Danny Etling, QB
The Patriots tucked him away on the practice squad for special assignments. He was downright unimpressive in the preseason. That said, a few things could go right for Etling to make the roster in 2019. 1) The Patriots could not draft a quarterback. 2) Etling could stand out in training camp and preseason. And 3) the Patriots could roster three quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer and Etling.
4. Ryan Izzo, TE
The Patriots need help at tight end now that Dwayne Allen is gone. (All hell would break loose if Rob Gronkowski decided to retire.) Izzo would be a logical replacement for Allen, with both players being solid blocking tight ends. Allen is probably a step above Izzo as a blocker, but it’s easy to imagine Izzo bringing more in the passing game. He can make the roster if he can beat out — for now — just Jacob Hollister and Stephen Anderson.
3. Braxton Berrios, WR
I’m extremely hesitant to peg Berrios as a likely contributor in 2019, but the Patriots made a clear effort to add depth at the slot role. Because they couldn’t, that sends Berrios careening up the depth chart. There’s plenty of time for the Patriots to target someone in the draft, which would send Berrios shooting down the depth chart. For now, he’s in line to compete for a spot as the next slot option for New England.
2. Duke Dawson, CB
He made the active roster after spending the start of the season on injured reserve, and yet he still never played a single game. That made him the first second-round pick to be inactive for a whole season despite being healthy for part of the year. The only problem for Dawson is that the depth chart has remained intact at cornerback. He had trouble beating out the players above him for a role in 2018. He’ll be back in that same battle in 2019.
1. Isaiah Wynn, T
He appears to be the team’s starter at left tackle. Agent Drew Rosenhaus suggested that Bill Belichick wanted to retain Trent Brown, the Patriots’ starter at left tackle in 2018. That might imply that Belichick is concerned with handing the job to Wynn, a 2018 first-round pick who missed the season with an Achilles injury. For now, the Patriots have not brought in legitimate competition for Wynn. He’s in line to start.
