The New England Patriots were one of the most active teams in the first week of NFL free agency. With all the moves they made, what does their depth chart now look like? With several new additions, as well as players returning from opting out in 2020, the Patriots depth chart has taken a fascinating shape.
New England Patriots Depth Chart | Offense
Following an intriguing first week of the new NFL season, what does the Patriots’ depth chart look like on offense?
Quarterback
1) Cam Newton
2) Jarrett Stidham
3) Jacob Dolegala
After spending the 2020 season in New England, Cam Newton returns to the Patriots atop the QB depth chart. Some may have been surprised by this move, considering that he didn’t particularly impress in 2020. He finished the season with a 65.8% completion percentage, 2,657 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also added 12 touchdowns on the ground.
However, there was much concern about his passing ability and arm strength, especially considering that he suffered multiple shoulder injuries in the last several years. According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Newton had an average of 7 Intended Air Yards in 15 games, the 9th worst in the league out of 41 eligible quarterbacks (minimum 128 pass attempts). Intended Air Yards is the average Air Yards a passer throws on all attempts – it’s a metric that shows how far the ball is being thrown downfield.
That said, they did have one of the worst wide receiver groups in the NFL – Jakobi Meyers was his best receiver. Newtown also contracted COVID-19 and some suspected that this affected him throughout the remainder of the season. But although 2020 did not go entirely to plan, the Patriots were willing to re-invest in Newton with a one-year deal worth $5.1 million with $3.5 million guaranteed.
Rounding out the Patriots’ Depth Chart at the quarterback position is Jarrett Stidham and Jacob Dolegala. However, the Patriots could be eyeing a quarterback in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft (Mac Jones, perhaps?) There are also some rumblings that New England would be interested in Marcus Mariota if the Las Vegas Raiders were to release him.
Running Back
1) Damien Harris
2) Sony Michel
3) J.J. Taylor
4) Brandon Bolden
Damien Harris was a revelation atop the Patriots RB depth chart in 2020. Harris had some superb games and really cemented his place as the running back in 2021. On the other hand, Sony Michel will be desperate to prove himself heading into the final year of his rookie contract. Taylor could take over the passing-downs role from James White, while Bolden’s presence is more about a potential role on special teams.
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The Patriots also currently have Jakob Johnson and Dan Vitale on their depth chart at fullback. Johnson should be the favorite for the roster spot heading into the summer.
Wide Receiver
1) Julian Edelman
2) Nelson Agholor
3) Kendrick Bourne
4) Jakobi Meyers
5) N’Keal Harry
With arguably one of the worst wide receiver groups in the NFL last season, we knew the Patriots would be looking to get their quarterbacks some help.
The wide receiver depth chart took a big shake-up with the arrival of Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. Edelman is still likely the No. 1 option, although his role will most likely be out of the slot. On the outside, Bourne and Agholor should come in as the top options. Meyers had a good rapport with Newton last season but has likely fallen down the pecking order.
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There has been ample talk that Harry is on his way out of New England. The Patriots may still feel they can make something of the former first-round selection, but he appears to be buried on the depth chart for now.
The other names on the depth chart currently include Gunner Olszewski and Matthew Slater, who should play big roles on special teams.
Tight End
1) Jonnu Smith
2) Hunter Henry
3) Dalton Keene
4) Devin Asiasi
5) Matt LaCosse
The Patriots certainly invested heavily in their tight end depth chart this offseason. Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry will earn a combined $25 million per year on average. As a result, the Patriots will likely be looking to get back to the double-TE setup they had a few years back. Look for Smith to be a “move” tight end who will line up all over the offense.
The other names on this depth chart are both draft picks from last season in Keene and Asiasi. Consequently, the arrivals of Smith and Henry likely indicate the Patriots have not been impressed by what they saw from those two as rookies.
Offensive Line
LT: Isaiah Wynn
LG: Shaq Mason
C: David Andrews
RG: Michael Onwenu
RT: Trent Brown
Backups: Justin Herron (OT), Korey Cunningham (OT), Yodny Cajuste (OT), Marcus Martin (OG), Ross Reynolds (OG), Najee Toran (OG), Ted Karras (C)
The return of Andrews and Brown makes this Patriots offensive line look strong for 2021. It will be interesting to see how the Patriots line up in terms of their guards.
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Prior to bringing Andrews back, the Patriots added Karras, who could transition to a role at guard if either Mason or Onwenu struggles in training camp. Marcus Cannon’s trade leaves Wynn locked in at left tackle as the Patriots look to evaluate him as their future left tackle.
New England Patriots Depth Chart | Defense
After making some splash additions, how does the Patriots depth chart shape up on defense?
Interior Defensive Line
1) Henry Anderson
2) Davon Godchaux
3) Byron Cowart
4) Akeem Spence
5) Tashawn Bower
The Patriots play a very fluid formation, making it hard to pin down exactly who will be the starting 11 on defense. Cowart is likely to be the starting nose tackle, but if the Patriots play a 4-3 style of defense at times, he could be the odd man out. The two names who should be consistent contributors are Anderson and Godchaux after they came in during free agency.
EDGE
1) Matt Judon
2) Deatrich Wise
3) Chase Winovich
4) Kyle Van Noy
5) Josh Uche
The Patriots depth chart for pass rushers is impressive. This group surely will be able to rotate and keep constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
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Judon should be the featured player, but Van Noy’s addition brings an incredible amount of depth. Wise and Judon have the ability to play as defensive ends in a 4-3, as well as being options in the Patriots’ 3-4 scheme that they run.
Winovich, Van Noy, and Uche are more suited to a pass-rushing role from an outside linebacker position. This group is extremely versatile, and Uche could even end up playing in the linebacker role as his career progresses.
Linebacker
1) Ja’Whaun Bentley
2) Dont’a Hightower
3) Raekwon McMillan
4) Brandon King
5) Josh Uche
In Hightower’s absence, Bentley made a name for himself in New England. Behind those two, however, the Patriots depth chart at linebacker is somewhat fluid. This is where the hybrid nature of the Patriots defense comes into play. They have players more traditionally viewed as EDGE players that can slot into linebacker while also having safeties who can step up and contribute as linebackers as well.
Cornerback
1) Stephon Gilmore
2) J.C. Jackson
3) Jonathan Jones
4) Joejuan Williams
5) Michael Jackson
The Patriots have a superb cornerback pairing in Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson. The depth at the position is somewhat questionable. Still, with four potential starting safety options on the roster, they could utilize one of them in a slot corner role, similar to how they utilized Patrick Chung for many years.
The Patriots will hope to get some progression out of Williams, but it would not be a surprise if the Patriots address cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Safety
1) Devin McCourty
2) Adrian Phillips
3) Jalen Mills
4) Kyle Dugger
5) Justin Bethel
The Patriots depth chart at safety has quality from top to bottom. With this in mind, it would not be a surprise to see one or two of them playing a hybrid role as a slot corner or a linebacker at times this season.
McCourty is likely at the end of his career, but he is still a valuable leader. Phillips had a strong season, while Mills arrives in New England via free agency. Dugger was viewed as a hybrid-type safety in the 2020 NFL Draft, and therefore, could be a candidate to play linebacker on passing downs.
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