As the offseason rolls on, the New England Patriots will wrap up their second week of OTAs on Friday which included a session open to the media on Wednesday.
So let’s talk about it all and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
It was feeling like twelve receivers in camp was overkill, but with Diggs already putting one foot in the doghouse and not being at the last practice, Baker already seeming clueless and a couple of guys still not available, does it suddenly seem like roster surprises are likely? They do have to build the culture . . . - ed.liebfried
While 12 does seem like a lot of wide receivers it’s around the same number for most teams around the league at this point in the season, as Mike Vrabel has pointed out numerous times. It’s also been helpful for New England as they have been down three receivers (Diggs, Mack Hollins and Ja’Lynn Polk) during competitive team drills this spring.
As for surprises, there isn’t much at this point that would constitute as a surprise for me perhaps outside of Javon Baker making the team over someone like Hollins. I could see it both ways for many of the bubble players such as Polk, Kayshon Boutte, and Efton Chism III.
For now I’ll stick Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, and Kyle Williams making the team and the final spot coming down to Chism or Polk.
Q: I think one of the most interesting position battles is going to be at Center. Barring injury, who starts game 1? Game 8? Would it be too risky to go with two rookies on the offensive line to start the season even if Wilson has the edge over Bradbury in training camp? - tpr04
I am much higher on Jared Wilson than Garrett Bradbury after the veteran was the worst pass blocking center in football last season. But, Wilson’s track toward winning the job out of camp has slowed as he’s been limited throughout OTAs. With that, we’ll side with the veteran to open the season and bet that Wilson takes over at some point during the season.
I haven’t heard anything on Marcus Bryant during these OTAs so far. How is he doing? Where is he practicing, LT or RT? Does it look like he’ll be on the 53 man roster or practice squad? - Prbyrne.1
New England’s seventh-round draft pick has been repping at both left and right tackle during the two open OTAs. He has been part of a group that has/will include Vederian Lowe, Trey Jacobs, Caedan Wallace, and T/G Jack Conley which will compete for top offensive tackle duties behind Will Campbell and Morgan Moses.
What can we expect for turnover among last season’s running backs and tight ends?
I like the players they drafted and signed as undrafted players. How many get to stick? - HB47
The big competition at both position entering the summer are for the third spot on the depth chart. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper will be the team’s top two tight ends. Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will be the top two backs.
From there, that leaves Jaheim Bell, C.J. Dippre, Gee Scott, Jack Westover, and fullback hybrid Brock Lampe at the tight end spot. Knowing McDaniels’ offense and based on two open OTA practices, the fullback should return clearing a path for Lampe or Westover, who has gotten run as a more versatile option. That could result in there not being room for a third tight end.
As for running back, the third spot on the depth chart would likely become a battle between Antonio Gibson and Lan Larison. The UDFA is a smooth pass catcher out of the backfield who will contribute on special teams. We’ll see if he makes a big enough push to overtake Gibson as we also know McDaniels prefers a deep, versatile running back room.
Am I the only one concerned that Pop Douglas, who has clearly had trouble running routes properly and figuring out where to line up snap to snap in his career, is now moving into a more complicated offense? - ghosthaus
The main concern here for Pop has been his ability to settle in zone voids and on scramble drills, not necessarily having issues with pre-snap alignments or routes. He had a strong rookie year in Bill O’Brien’s offense which should remain similar to McDaniels. If he can stay healthy and handle a higher volume role, Douglas could be in store for a strong season.
Any thoughts on projecting the red zone offense? Or the possible difference between that and your projected regular offense? Do you think we will run 1 or 2 TEs and a RB? More WRs? Will we switch it up in the red zone? - Sportzballer
As we discussed the fullback above, New England’s downhill run game will likely return and be featured in the red area. That should also include a package for Drake Maye on the ground similar to that of Cam Newton in 2020 — with QB power-lead being one of their staples along the goal line.
During McDaniels’ first full season in Las Vegas, the Raiders also had the second-highest under-center rate in the league (46.8 percent). In the entire field, I could see them shifting to more shotgun and spread concepts to better suit Maye in the passing game.
In years past a fringe roster player often solidified a spot by excelling on special teams. With the new kickoff rules bringing the ball to the 35 for touchback is there anyone we might see have bigger role as kick returner or on the kick return team? - Spyponder90
We unfortunately have not gotten a feel for potential kick returners during either of the two open OTAs, but I would project they would continue to rely on bigger body players with speed. Antonio Gibson could continue to fill that role while Lan Larison has experience returning kicks from college as well to further that competition.
And we’ll always continue to pound the table for Isaiah Bolden, who led the nation (both FBS and FCS) in kickoff return average at 36.9 yards to pair with two touchdowns in 2021, to get a shot although there does not appear to be interest from the team there.
I’d also look at some secondary players and linebackers/tight ends to fill out the kickoff team. The aforementioned third tight end/fullback will likely be counted on for the coverage/return team.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following@iambrianhines and@PatsPulpit as well.