The Patriots start their post-Invoice Belichick period on Sunday once they journey to Cincinnati to tackle the Bengals in Week 1 of the 2024 season. New England is not essentially poised to win many video games with none elite offensive weapons or bona fide defensive stars on the roster. Nonetheless, just a few gamers have the potential to have a breakout season and hold the Patriots out of the proverbial cellar.
With the brand new regime of head coach Jerod Mayo, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington taking the reins, everybody will most probably have a chance to develop into family names by the top of the season on each ends of the ball.
Listed here are 4 gamers who may get away this season:
DeMario Douglas
Douglas was one of many few brilliant spots for the 4-13 Patriots final season. He led New England in receiving yards (561), making 49 catches on 79 targets. Though he did not rating a single landing, Douglas was one of many few gamers on the offensive facet of the ball who jumped off the display. He ought to function the Patriots’ major receiver, which units the stage for him to develop into a high-volume outlet for beginning quarterback Jacoby Brissett, and he ought to lead the crew in receiving yards and receptions for the second straight season.
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Ja’Lynn Polk
The 2024 second-round decide got here to New England “able to make performs” and is poised to burst on the scene as one of many Patriots’ high targets behind Douglas. Van Pelt feels Polk has “unbelievable ball abilities” and mentioned the rookie wideout is a competitor who “does the soiled work within the run sport.” His versatility provides the Patriots offense extra choices if New England’s offensive line continues to battle prefer it has through the preseason.
Christian Gonzalez
Gonzalez’s rookie marketing campaign was reduce brief when the cornerback suffered a torn labrum in early October. Earlier than the season-ending damage, Gonzalez displayed the makings of a shutdown nook. He totaled 17 tackles and a sack, broke up three passes and recorded one interception in 4 video games with the Patriots towards a few of the NFL’s top-tier broad receivers, akin to Philadelphia Eagles’ DeVonta Smith, Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb, Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill and New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson. Gonzalez shall be put to the check instantly in Week 1 when he is tasked with defending Cincinnati Bengals duo Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Keion White
White ought to see extra enjoying time in his sophomore marketing campaign with the Patriots protection. In his rookie season, White recorded 26 tackles (21 solo), one sack, broke up three passes and had 5 quarterback hits when he performed 49% of the defensive snaps in 16 video games for New England. White’s versatility permits him to play on each the inside and the sting.
