Here’s a look at the New England Patriots’ three positions of need as they get through OTAs and minicamp and look toward training camp.
3. Tight end
The Patriots will be without Ben Watson for the first four games of the season while he serves a four-game suspension for violating the league’s banned-substance policy. That has created more uncertainty at tight end after Rob Gronkowski’s retirement earlier this offseason. Gronkowski is irreplaceable, but the Patriots may still want to piece together a threatening group at the position.
They have tight ends Watson, Matt LaCosse, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Stephen Anderson, Ryan Izzo and Andrew Beck. Essentially, they’ve got a hodgepodge of unproven players, who — with a little luck — could prove productive in 2019. That said, it’s entirely possible that none of those players eclipse 400 yards. Trade targets like the Vikings’ Kyle Rudolph or the Buccaneers’ Cameron Brate would shore up a position with question marks. What’s most likely, however, is that the Patriots keep the position as is — for the most part — and try to compensate with their deeper positions in running back and receiver.
2. Defensive end
For the Patriots, this position is tricky to qualify, because technically, veteran John Simon and rookie Chase Winovich are considered defensive ends. But Simon spent a great deal of time playing linebacker and Winovich figures to play a similar position as Simon. It’s hybrid role on the edge, one that requires the player to do a little of both defensive end and linebacker. That means they have to defend the run, rush the passer and cover. Ufomba Komalu also qualifies in this category.
When it comes to true defensive ends, however, they have just Michael Bennett, who joined the team in a trade this offseason. Behind him, the Patriots have Deatrich Wise, Keionta Davis and Derek Rivers. Bennett is a one-for-one swap with Trey Flowers, who departed in the offseason. The Patriots don’t have someone that will take Adrian Clayborn’s snaps. Even if he was a disappointment (and ultimately got cut this offseason), he still played 318 defensive snaps (30 percent).
1. Tackle
With Jared Veldheer retiring, the Patriots may find themselves lacking tackle depth and experience. As it stands, they have Marcus Cannon at right and Isaiah Wynn at left. Their depth options appear to be third-round rookie Yodny Cajuste and a handful of unproven players with little experience. For now, Joe Thuney is taking snaps as the starting left tackle during organized team activities. In a perfect world, his spring snaps at left tackle are the only ones he’ll take in 2019.
The Patriots could get Wynn back from his Achilles injury during training camp. Cajuste should be back from his shoulder injury at the same time. But if they’re both limited, we could see more of Thuney at left tackle. And Thuney, a guard, probably shouldn’t be the team’s Day 1 starter. They need Wynn to get healthy. And they need Cajuste to quickly prove he’s capable of serving as the team’s backup tackle and swingman, a position which has been of major importance over the last few years (see: LaAdrian Waddle, Cameron Flemming, Nate Solder.)
