With training camp right around the corner, the Patriots are starting to get everything lined up for the first practice next Wednesday. Apparently, that includes updating their team website.
On Thursday, it was pointed out by Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald that the team had updated the ‘coaches’ page on its website with new titles for 2023. But, that wasn’t all.
READ MORE:
— Revisiting the Patriots’ offseason plan
— How the Patriots missed out on DeAndre Hopkins
— Leonard Fournette visits Foxborough
Kyed later pointed out that the Patriots have also updated the heights and weights for all players on their roster. That makes sense, given official measurements for players are usually taken as players report to the facility for the start of camp.
While most players, especially veterans – especially veterans – don’t see much change from year-to-year, others may work to add or remove significant weight. That can often be at the request of the team, which may want a player to change their body type to better fit a particular role they have in mind. Plus, rookies generally add weight to adapt to the physical demands that come with playing in the NFL.
Training camp preview podcast
(Click here to subscribe to Patriots Audio on 98.5 The Sports Hub.)
When players put on weight, there is always one major question – can they still be as fast and agile with the added mass on their frame? That will be a focus for a number of the players who bulked up for the Patriots.
It’s also important to keep in mind these are players’ starting measurements for the season. NFL players often lose weight over the course of the season, so guys may bulk up a little bit going into camp to accommodate.
That being said – Going through the latest updates to the Patriots’ roster, are their any changes that stand out as potential clues to players’ usage in 2023? Here are a few that stood out…
LB Marte Mapu
Rookie Marte Mapu was one of several Patriots defensive standouts in the spring. (Photo by Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
When the Patriots drafted Mapu in the third round in the spring, one of the biggest takeaways of the pick was Mapu’s size. At 6-foot-3, 217 pounds, he was not only undersized by typical Patriots linebacker standards, but even compared to other modern off-ball linebackers around the league. In the spring, the team had him listed at 216 pounds, down a pound from college.
Apparently though, the plan was never for Mapu to play at that size. According to the updated roster he’s now checking in at 230 pounds, up 14 from when he first arrived in Foxborough. That’s much more in line with other comparable players around the NFL, and should help him handle contact better. At the same time, he’s one of those players who will be worth watching to see if he’s still as explosive with the extra weight on his frame.
CB Marcus Jones
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 24: Marcus Jones #25 of the New England Patriots carries the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of the game at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Jones also came into the NFL viewed as ‘undersized,’ but continues to bulk up. He’s up from 174 pounds as a rookie to 188 entering his second training camp. That size should help him be a more competitive tackler on defense, and improve his durability – crucial for a player expected to play in all three phases.
WR Demario Douglas
Liberty Universitys Football Team takes on the University of Massachusetts Minutemen during the UMASS Pride game at McGuire Alumni Stadium in Amherst, Massachusetts on October 08, 2022. (Photo by: Chase Gyles)
Douglas really seems to have put in work in the weight room. The Patriots’ sixth-round pick is now listed at 192 pounds, up from 170 at the draft. Agility is a key part of Douglas’ game, so again the question will be how he moves carrying 22 extra pounds. If he doesn’t lose a step, he should be a real threat as a ball-carrier at this new weight.
DT Davon Godchaux
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux #92 of the New England Patriots celebrates during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Patriots’ big defense tackle will be a little big bigger this season. Godchaux is up from the 311 pounds he played at last year to 330. That could be a sign that there are some more true nose tackle-type assignments in store for him this year.
DB Rodney Randle
Jun 12, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Rodney Randle Jr. (39) works out at the Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
No player on the Patriots bulked up more than Randle, who spent last year on the practice squad. Randle has been playing professionally since 2019, always in the 170-pound range at 6-feet tall. This offseason though he added 35 pounds (!) to get up to 205. That could signal a potential position change, perhaps to safety, or a better frame to contribute on special teams as he tries to earn a roster spot.
LB Mack Wilson
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 20: Mack Wilson Sr. #30 of the New England Patriots reacts after a sack against the New York Jets during the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Last season, Wilson was projected to fill that athletic, off-ball linebacker role that Mapu is now penciled in for. At the time, he was listed at 233 pounds. Coming into this season, he’s bulked up to 246. That’s closer to the size of a more traditional, downhill middle linebacker (Ja’Whaun Bentley plays at 250). Will his role change with his body type?
LB Jahlani Tavai
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 12: Jahlani Tavai #48 of the New England Patriots celebrates a defensive stop against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Last year Tavai began the season as an off-ball linebacker but the Patriots quickly moved him to the strong-side edge, where he played well. Perhaps in line with that move Tavai bulked up a bit this offseason, going from 246 pounds to 255.
TE Mike Gesicki
Jun 12, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki (88) does a drill at the Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
While most players gained weight in the offseason, Gesicki is one of the few notable players who trimmed down. After playing last year at 250 pounds, he’s now listed at 245.
WR Tyquan Thornton
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Tyquan Thornton #11 of the New England Patriots reacts during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
To this point we’ve focused on players whose weight changed over the offseason, but let’s also highlight a couple who (mostly) didn’t. After his rookie year, there was a lot of talk about Tyquan Thornton needing to bulk up to increase his play strength and durability for the NFL. The 6-foot-3 receiver is now listed at 185 pounds, after coming in at 182 as a rookie.
OT Trent Brown
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 25: Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots lines up against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Weight management has been a notable part of Brown’s career, especially in New England. The contract he signed with the team last year included significant weight clauses. Coming into camp he seems to be managing things well. His listed weight of 370 pounds is exactly the same as it was at this point last year.
