Local pigskin pundits and bobbleheads have let us know just how awesome the Patriots’ drafted and undrafted rookies are while the national gridiron cognoscenti have given New England’s 2016 draft a composite grade of C. Okay, I think I saw a B- somewhere.
It’s hard for a team as good as the Patriots to get better. It will be hard for rookies to make the roster, let alone contribute, but history tells us it’s going to happen.
I’d like WR Malcolm Mitchell to turn out to be this year’s big thing. In my craziest moments, I can see Mitchell becoming the next Antonio Brown. With all the other weapons on offense, he should see the other team’s 5th or 6th DB singled up. 600 yards and 6 TD from Mitchell would make New England’s barely stoppable offense unstoppable, assuming career average numbers from Gronk, Martellus Bennett, Jules, Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan - and a return to pre-injury form for Dion Lewis. Of course, Gronk’s career averages are, well, above average.
I’m buying into the narrative that Mitchell won’t be the latest in a long line of WR draft pick busts. He’s different; he’s smart and he played in a pro-style offense at Georgia. Let’s just hope the knee ligaments stay together. Maybe he should try the avocado ice cream.
I’d like to get excited by fellow rookie wideout Devin Lucien because he’s tall (relatively speaking) but he seems to fit the profile of New England’s draft busts - great athlete who played in a spread offense who never had to run an option route in college - and right or wrong, I can’t help thinking, “This year’s Josh Boyce, who was that year’s Chad Jackson.”
Am I going reverse jinx on Lucien? I hope so.
Oh, and Aaron Dobson? Dead to me.
Bottom line, the Patriots, with Mitchell and Hogan, Amendola, Edelman and whoever else makes the roster, will help to make for an improved position group at wide receiver in 2016.
It’s hard to say if OL Joe Thuney will break into the starting lineup but with all the young talent and the return of offensive line-whisperer Dante Scarnecchia one of the safer assumptions for 2016 is that the O-Line will be better. Given Thuney’s ability to play all five positions, maybe he spends his rookie season as the sixth man behind Nate Solder, Shaq Mason, Bryan Stork, Jonathan Cooper and Sebastian Vollmer. Maybe Thuney will be too good to keep on the bench. Maybe Tre Jackson, Josh Kline, David Andrews or Ted Karras will have something to say about that.
Quick Aside: Maybe I’m overestimating Scarnecchia’s impact but I’m not as worried about the tackle position as others seem to be. LaAdrian Waddle, Marcus Cannon and Cameron Fleming will play better for Scar. I suspect Cannon will be a cap casualty with Waddle and Fleming competing for the swing tackle position. Of course, Thuney’s (and Stork’s) ability to swing outside could have an impact on that third tackle decision, too.
The offensive line will be better in 2016. Much better. They’ll make Belichick’s decision to pass on taking a RB in the draft and roll with LeGarrette Blount look like pure, evil genius.
And yes, I’m still hoping this is the year Tyler Gaffney can get on the field and contribute in the running game.
Even without a draft pick, thanks to undrafted free agent D.J. Foster and free agent signing Donald Brown, New England is four deep at the critical passing back position. As noted above, the ideal scenario is a return to pre-injury form for Dion Lewis who apparently was genetically engineered to play 3rd down back for the Patriots offense. New England has incumbent James White, who has shown some flashes in his first two years, who will compete with Brown and long shot rookie Foster for the understudy role.
Heading into camp, the Patriots offense is improved in terms of talent and depth at wide receiver, passing back and offensive line. One of the best offenses in the NFL in 2015 should be even better in 2016.
How good?
Heading into Week 5, you’re going to see some local and national pigskin pundits and bobbleheads actually wonder out loud if the Patriots should trade Tom Brady instead of moving Jimmy Garoppolo.
That’s what happens when the backup QB leads the team to a 4-0-0 start.
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