Welcome to Patriots Place Breakdown, a 10-part sequence on NESN.com the place we dive deep into every of New England’s place teams previous to the beginning of coaching camp.
Christian Barmore bought paid this offseason, inking a four-year, $92 million contract extension that may tie him to New England by 2028.
It was a wise transfer to make for the Patriots, because it falls consistent with how they’re trying to strategy issues underneath Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo and sure will probably be on a budget aspect by the point issues run out.
Barmore turning into the very best paid participant in franchise historical past not named Tom Brady didn’t come with out some powerful selections, although. Lawrence Man was lower in February. Davon Godchaux is angling for an extension, however talks don’t appear to have gone wherever. Armon Watts was the one addition to a gaggle that underwent a ton of turnover all through final season.
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The Patriots have high-end expertise alongside the defensive entrance, however it doesn’t seem depth will probably be a powerful swimsuit.
Roster Overview
– Christian Barmore
– Deatrich Clever Jr.
– Keion White
– Davon Godchaux
– Armon Watts
– Daniel Ekuale
– Sam Roberts
– Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
– Trysten Hill
– Jotham Russell
– John Morgan III
– William Bradley-King
Barmore, Godchaux, Clever and White will all be key contributors this upcoming season, however there’s a ton of concern relating to the depth of this group. It’s virtually just like the extensive receivers, the place you’re going to see competitors from a hefty quantity of C-tier gamers.
Ekuale and Watts appear to be competing for rotational roles, with the previous coming off a season-ending biceps harm and the latter trying to discover a everlasting dwelling after bouncing round for just a few seasons. It’s potential they each make the roster, however the Patriots in all probability aren’t carrying greater than 4 inside linemen out of camp.
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Roberts, Pharms and Hill are prime candidates to return to the observe squad, however they’re not utterly out of the dialog to exchange the likes of a Watts or Ekuale. Russell, Morgan III and Bradley-King are.
Extra Patriots
Patriots Place Breakdown: Who Cracks Working Again Rotation?
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Patriots Place Breakdown: Linebackers Prepared To Take Leap
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Largest Query(s)
– How actual is speak of White’s breakout?
Mayo stated it, so we don’t have any alternative however to consider the Patriots are going to lean closely on White in his sophomore season. It’s only a query about whether or not he can produce from a brand new place.
White confirmed flashes as a rookie, doing a little bit little bit of the whole lot as a rotational participant. New England’s trying to take his hand out of the filth much more than it did final season, although, which may include an adjustment interval. White will probably be good, however how shortly can he present an influence?
— Can they get away with not paying Godchaux?
Godchaux is an efficient participant, however we aren’t going to make the argument that he’s untouchable. The Patriots, as we’ve already talked about, don’t appear to be all that keen to pay him. Is it going to develop into an issue in the event that they select to roll the cube and go away his contract untouched coming into camp?
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– Who wins the battle alongside the inside?
Barmore and (most probably) Godchaux have their spots locked in. Is it as straightforward as penciling in Ekuale because the third man, or will somebody shock throughout coaching camp? Is it as straightforward as permitting Clever to tackle a heavier workload inside?
Grade
– B-
Barmore is the star, whereas White and Clever assist maintain this group from dipping into C territory. If the Patriots obtain some unexpected contributions, issues can rise. In the event that they don’t, one harm may go away this group scrambling for some assist.
