What to expect from the Patriots’ rookies in 2021

Author Alex Barth

September 7th, 2021 6:00 AM

When looking to hit the reset button on his team, Bill Belichick tends to lean heavily on young players. It’s not a common occurrence in New England by any means, but one that has worked in the past. Most recently, the team featured a younger group of players during the 2010-2012 window, which laid the groundwork for Dynasty 2.0.

This year, the kids will be in the spotlight once again. That includes the six rookies who made the Week 1 roster, who will all be asked to contribute to varying degrees.

What can we expect to see from each member of the Patriots’ rookie class of 2021? Let’s take a look, starting with the man at the forefront…

• Mac Jones

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  Starting a rookie quarterback right away comes with a long leash - there's going to be teachable moments and growing pains, it just comes with the territory. Mac Jones getting the start right away means that pending injury, he should start the full season.
  
  The key for Jones is season is to learn and become accustomed to the NFL game. It's been a long time since Patriots fans watched the process of a young quarterback developing, and although Jones showed plenty to be excited about this summer, he won't immediately jump to his peak.
  
  Jones is going to make mistakes this year, especially early. The big question for him - and any rookie quarterback - is how he addresses those mistakes. Does he let them linger mentally and impact the rest of his performance? And more importantly, does he make the same kind of mistakes twice?
  
  Learning to play quarterback is, in some sense, a process of elimination. If Jones can quickly process and adapt to what works and what doesn't at this level - something he started to do in training camp - his natural skillset will allow him to be a very efficient passer.
  
  Long-term expectations should be high for Jones. He's a first round pick, and the Patriots moved on from a 10-year veteran and former MVP to make him the starting quarterback immediately. But his development is a process, and one that is currently in the early stages. Get excited, but also be ready to be patient.

• Rhamondre Stevenson

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  Rhamondre Stevenson may be the toughest rookie to project, simply because he's seemingly already done so much to buck tradition. Since 2001, no Patriots rookie running back has had more than 100 touches (carries + catches) in a season, and only three have had more than 50. Yet with the trade of Sony Michel, Stevenson is set up for a more significant role.
  
  Early on, Stevenson's ideal role is to spell Damien Harris, and provide a little more punch on the goal line and in short yardage situations. Basically, a second early-down back.
  
  But as he gets more comfortable, and the team gets more comfortable with him, it wouldn't be surprising to see him get more involved in the passing game later in the season. Stevenson showed to be not just a capable receiver but pass blocker as well in college, and there's snaps to be had in that role following the departure of Rex Burkhead.
  
  Ultimately, the most important thing Stevenson needs to do this season is hold onto the football. Outside of the one fumble against the Eagles, there were no red flags regarding his ball security this summer, but it's something the team will keep a close eye on.

• Christian Barmore

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  Over the course of the summer, Christian Barmore may have been the most dominant rookie for the Patriots. The second-round pick out of Alabama seemed to be constantly making plays both in padded practices and during preseason games.
  
  Can Barmore's domination carry over into the regular season? It seems likely. He displayed the raw strength and athleticism to compete with NFL linemen, and his technique will only improve as he spends more time with the Patriots' coaching staff.
  
  Initially, Barmore projects to be a pass rush specialist from the interior of the defensive line - similar to Adam Butler's old role. Early in the season, expect to see him mostly on third downs and 'and long' situations. However, as he continues to develop, he should become more of a three-down player. 
• Ronnie Perkins

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  Ronnie Perkins' explosiveness and high motor should lead him to success in the NFL. The question is, how soon will he be able to display those traits regularly.
  
  Despite having a strong summer, Perkins finds himself buried on the Patriots' depth chart. The team invested heavily in upgrading on the edge this offseason, with additions like Matt Judon, Kyle Van Noy, and Henry Anderson. On top of that, second-year player Josh Uche seems poised for a breakout, and Dont'a Hightower returns from his opt out and will likely see some pass rush opportunities as well.
  
  It seems that initially, Perkins will contribute mostly on special teams while looking to carve out a situational role defensively. This could end up being somewhat of a 'redshirt' year for him, as he prepares for a bigger role as the veteran depth ahead of him thins out. 

• Shaun Wade

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  Despite being acquired just days before the Patriots' preseason finale, Shaun Wade was able to get caught up quick enough to play 39 snaps against the Giants. That's an encouraging sign for Wade's rookie year, and he'll have to learn a new system quickly to get on the field.
  
  If Wade can get familiar with the playbook, there's a chance he could end up playing a significant role. The team is thinner at cornerback than they have been in recent years. On top of that, Stephon Gilmore will miss at least the first six weeks of the season.
  
  Wade's ability to play inside, outside, and safety opens up more opportunities for him, both this year and down the road. He's a prototypical fit for the Patriots' defense and should be able to contribute in the long-term, but his impact this year hinges on how quick he learns the system. 

• Quinn Nordin

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  Just by making the roster, Quinn Nordin exceeded the expectations he had coming into training camp. It's rare for a 72-percent kicker in college to catch on with an NFL team, especially with a rookie.
  
  That being said, Nordin's status as the Patriots' starting kicker - assuming he is for Week 1 and Nick Folk isn't elevated from the practice squad - feels like it could be week-to-week. His upside is tremendous, but his game still needs refining. At the same time, Folk is still in the building and assuming he's healthy should be ready to take over at any time. 
  
  When faced with similar situations at other positions in the past, the Patriots have favored the veteran and worked with the developmental player behind the scenes. It looks like Nordin will be tasked with figuring things out on the fly. If he can though, he has the chance to change certain situational approaches with his impressive range. 

MORE: J.C. Jackson calls Mac Jones ‘that guy’

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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Author Alex Barth

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