One training camp question for every player on the Patriots’ 90-man roster

Author Alex Barth

July 27th, 2021 5:00 AM

With Patriots training camp opening on Wednesday, there’s a number of questions the team needs to answer before the start of the season. From position battles to individual development, it should be an eventful few weeks.

As we did last year, it’s time to take a look at the biggest question facing each player as camp begins. Some of these storylines will carry into preseason games, and all the way up to roster cuts.

You’ll notice a lot of these questions involve players playing out of position. With such a competitive roster, positional versatility could be the key decider when it comes to a handful of bubble players. The Patriots generally move guys around during camp, but we could see more than usual this year.

Because this would run about 40,000 words if each question was expanded on, just one player per position is highlighted.

Note: Players are listed alphabetically by position, with the focus player at the top.

• Quarterbacks

  Share

  Cam Newton: How does he look pre-snap?
  
  Newton told reports in July that he wasn’t always comfortable with his pre-snap assignments in 2020, saying “pre-snap comfort will help post-snap results.” It was his biggest issue last season, and if he’s improved it could go a long way towards a turnaround season.
  
  Brian Hoyer: How much time does he spend with Mac Jones?
  
  Mac Jones: Does he make more aggressive throws than he did in the spring?
  
  Jarrett Stidham: How long does he stay on PUP?

• Running backs

  Share

  J.J. Taylor: How does he look as a pass blocker?
  
  With Rex Burkhead now in Houston, the Patriots will need somebody to fill what was a significant role in the offense last year. It’s a job that involves key pass protection snaps. We didn’t see Taylor as a blocker too much last year, but this year they’ll be something to focus on.
  
  Brandon Bolden: How does he look as a route runner?
  
  Tyler Gaffney: Does he play any fullback? 
  
  Damien Harris: Is he involved more in the passing game?
  
  Sony Michel: Is he healthy?
  
  Rhamondre Stevenson: Is he holding onto the football?
  
  James White: How agile is he in small spaces?

• Wide receivers

  Share

  Kendrick Bourne: Is he lining up primarily in the slot or outside?
  
  With Nelson Agholor projecting to be the primary ‘X’ receiver, and Jakobi Meyers penciled in as the slot, Bourne finds himself in an interesting position in what projects to be a primarily two wide receiver offense. His skill set is similar to other receivers who have come to New England and found success, but carving out a role will be key. He was primarily a slot guy in San Francisco, but if he proves he can win on the outside as well, it will create more opportunities for him to get on the field.
  
  Nelson Agholor: Is he winning contested catches once the pads come on?
  
  Marvin Hall: What does he bring besides speed?
  
  N’Keal Harry: What is his trade value?
  
  Jakobi Meyers: How much does a full season of experience as the primary receiver help his development?
  
  Tre Nixon: How does he look in team drills?
  
  Gunner Olszewski: Can his kick return skills match his punt return skills?
  
  Devin Ross: How does he perform in joint practices and preseason games?
  
  Devin Smith: What does he offer on special teams?
  
  Kristian Wilkerson: Does he line up inside?
  
  Isaiah Zuber: How much has he developed as a route runner?
• Tight ends/fullbacks

  Share

  Dalton Keene: Can he be a lead blocking fullback in addition to a pass catcher at that position?
  
  Keene is one of the more interesting roster bubble players entering training camp. The team used a fourth-round pick on him just a year ago, and it seems early to give up on that investment. At the same time, they invested heavily in the position this offseason, and there’s no clear path to playing time for him. His best bet is to prove he can play multiple positions - especially fullback - as well as special teams.
  
  Devin Asiasi: What does he offer that Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry don’t?
  
  Troy Fumagalli: How fast are his feet?
  
  Jakob Johnson: Does his role still exist in the offense?
  
  Hunter Henry: Is he lining up outside the numbers?
  
  Matt LaCosse: Does he have trade value?
  
  Jonnu Smith: How many untraditional alignments do they use him in?
  
  David Wells: Can he work his way back to the practice squad?

• Offensive linemen

  Share

  William Sherman: Is he actually playing all five positions?
  
  Sherman was a tackle in college, but projected to move to guard at the NFL level. In preparation for that, he spent the offseason working out not only at guard, but center as well, hoping that becoming a five-position offensive lineman would increase his draft stock. If he’s ready for NFL center reps in year one, he could potentially save the Patriots a roster spot by allowing them to carry one less offensive lineman.
  
  David Andrews: How is he helping with communication at the line of scrimmage?
  
  Trent Brown: Is he getting reps at both right and left tackle?
  
  Yodny Cajuste: Is he finally healthy?
  
  Korey Cunningham: What does he look like in the preseason?
  
  James Ferentz: Can his experience help him overtake some of the younger depth options?
  
  Justin Herron: Can his run blocking ability match where his pass blocking was as a rookie?
  
  Ted Karras: Can he do enough to force the team to juggle the starting line and give him a guard spot?
  
  Marcus Martin: Is his background as a true center enough to give him more value than some of the guard/center hybrid players?
  
  Shaq Mason: Does he take more of a leadership role up front with Joe Thuney gone?
  
  Michael Onwenu: What did he learn from his time playing tackle that can help make him a better guard?
  
  R.J. Price: Does the team try him at tackle?
  
  Alex Redmond: Does he pick up the playbook quickly?
  
  Isaiah Wynn: Is his knee healthy?

• Defensive linemen

  Share

  Christian Barmore: How involved is he in first-team reps?
  
  Traditionally, the Patriots like to ease rookies into their first year. Even Michael Onwenu, who was a major part of the offense from the beginning last year, didn’t play a standout role in camp. That being said, Barmore was one of the more NFL-ready players in this draft class. Will the Patriots give him corresponding responsibilities right away?
  
  Montravius Adams: Is he productive as a pass rusher?
  
  Henry Anderson: Is his role similar to Lawrence Guy’s, or something new?
  
  Rashod Berry: Is he still a two-way player?
  
  Tashawn Bower: Now over a full year removed from a torn Achilles, does he look more explosive?
  
  Byron Cowart: How is he developing as a run stopper?
  
  Carl Davis: Can he build momentum while consistently on the field?
  
  Davon Godchaux: How does he look when double-teamed in the running game?
  
  Lawrence Guy: Is he trending towards a more rotational role?
  
  Bill Murray: Does he show improvement after a year on the practice squad?
  
  Ronnie Perkins: How disciplined of a pass rusher is he?
  
  Akeem Spence: Does he have a role beyond goal line defense?
  
  Nick Thurman: Does he start getting snaps at defensive end?
  
  Chase Winovich: Does he spend more time with linebackers?
  
  Deatrich Wise: Can he pick up where he left off in 2020?
• Linebackers

  Share

  Dont’a Hightower: Is he back as the middle linebacker, or as an edge rusher?
  
  Part of what makes Dont’a Hightower such a dominant player is his ability to fill in wherever he is needed. He’s just as capable as a run-stopping middle linebacker as he is a disruptive edge rusher. With so much talent and depth at linebacker, where does he best fit in the puzzle this year?
  
  Ja’Whaun Bentley: Does his role change with Dont’a Hightower back?
  
  Terez Hall: How is he reading running plays?
  
  Anfernee Jennings: Is he quicker with a year of experience under his belt?
  
  Matt Judon: How much do they move him around the formation?
  
  Brandon King: How does he look after not playing for two years?
  
  Harvey Langi: Is he mainly competing for a job at linebacker, or on special teams?
  
  Cameron McGrone: Does he take part in any practices?
  
  Raekwon McMillan: How well is he moving laterally?
  
  Josh Uche: Can he pick up where he left off in spring practices?
  
  Kyle Van Noy: What did he add to his toolbox in Miami?

• Cornerbacks

  Share

  Joejuan Williams: Can he make the most of the first-team opportunity he should get with Gilmore unavailable? 
  
  Perhaps no player has more on the line at training camp this year than Joejuan Williams. A second-round pick in 2019, he's played sparingly due to the unprecedented depth ahead of him. With Jason McCourty now in Miami and Stephon Gilmore on PUP, this is his shot to show he can be a starting NFL cornerback. The Patriots need him to rise to the occasion too, especially with Gilmore and J.C. Jackson both on the final year of their contracts.
  
  Justin Bethel: Does he get any snaps at cornerback?
  
  Myles Bryant: Does he make a full-time switch to safety?
  
  Stephon Gilmore: Will he be ready for Week 1?
  
  J.C. Jackson: Does he solidify the ‘No. 1 cornerback’ leap?
  
  Mike Jackson Sr.: How does he handle bigger receivers and tight ends?
  
  Jonathan Jones: Do the Patriots try lining him up on the outside?
  
  D’Angelo Ross: Can he stay healthy throughout camp?
  
  Dee Virgin: How much work does he get in with the core special teams players?

• Safeties

  Share

  Kyle Dugger: Does he resume his role in the box, or start mixing in more snaps as a deep safety?
  
  There's two ways the Patriots can build on Dugger's impressive rookie season. The first is to leave him at box safety full time, and allow him to develop there. However, they could also start mixing in free safety snaps, and turn him into a chess piece that can move around the formation based on the situation. He was mostly a deep safety in college, so it wouldn't be a total leap.
  
  Joshuah Bledsoe: Will he be off NFI in time for the first preseason game?
  
  Adrian Colbert: How is he as an over-the-top help defender against deep passes?
  
  Cody Davis: What does his role on special teams look like with Brandon Bolden back in the picture?
  
  Devin McCourty: Will he get any snaps at cornerback? 
  
  Jalen Mills: How many different positions will he play?
  
  Adrian Phillips: As the defense presumably shifts to a 3-4 base, will he return to his hybrid linebacker role, or play more like a traditional safety?
• Special Teams

  Share

  Nick Folk (K): Does he still have the same range from last year?
  
  As is the case with most kickers later in their careers, Folk was expected to be more of an accuracy guy than a power guy with the Patriots. Yet last year, he hit 13-of-15 field goals from 40-plus yards out - his best long-range season since 2016. Can he do it again in 2021?
  
  Jake Bailey (P): What does his year-three jump look like?
  
  Joe Cardona (LS): Can he continue to be the most consistent player on the team?
  
  Quinn Nordin (K): Will working on his accuracy cause his power to dip?
  
  Matthew Slater (Coverage): Is this his last season?

Patriots 2021 Positional Previews: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Offensive Line | Defensive Line | Linebacker | Cornerback | Safety | Special Teams

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].

Get The 98.5 The Sports Hub Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Stay up to date with the latest Boston sports news and analysis, local events, exclusive contests, and more.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Alex Barth

Category:

• Patriots
• Alex Barth
• Columns
• News
• Sports
• The Sports Hub

Tags:

Alex Barth,New England Patriots,NFL,patriots,patriots training camp,Training Camp