L-R: WR Tre Nixon, CB Malcolm Butler, RB J.J. Taylor (USA Today)
Positional and roster bubble battles are generally the most interesting part of training camp and the preseason. Last season, Patriots fans were focused mainly on one position – quarterback. This year, there’s a number of battles across the roster that should have a big impact on the 2022 roster.
Let’s take a look at the five biggest position battles heading into camp this year. For each position (or specialty within the position) we’ll sort the players in the mix into three categories – the favorite(s) to win the job heading into camp, the closest contenders, and then any dark horse candidates who may also factor in.
Keep in mind that for some of the players listed here, them not winning their positional battle doesn’t mean they won’t make the roster. For others though, it may be the difference between a roster spot or the practice squad.
Third down/pass catching running back
Oct 24, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor (42) runs against the New York Jets during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Favorite: James White
In contention: Pierre Strong Jr., J.J. Taylor, Ty Montgomery
Dark horse: Rhamondre Stevenson, Damien Harris
The third down/pass catching running back role is one of the most important in the Patriots’ offense. Last year, the team missed White badly at times, and although Brandon Bolden had his flashes in White’s place, things just didn’t look the same.
White is back with the Patriots to start training camp after re-signing this offseason, but his status is still up in the air. He was limited throughout spring practices, and even if he can participate there’s the question of how much time it will take him to adjust after suffering a serious hip injury. Plus, the Patriots usually like to have somewhat of a platoon in that role, so even if White can go there’s then the question of who replaces Bolden (who signed with Las Vegas as as a free agent this offseason) as the No. 2.
Pierre Strong Jr. and J.J. Taylor project as the next two up for that role. For Strong, winning the job will be about proving he has quickly and sufficiently picked up the offense. Taylor’s biggest question is how much he’s improved as a pass blocker as he enters his third year in the league.
Ty Montgomery could factor in here as well. As a hybrid running back and receiver, his skill set is a fit for the position and his versatility could help save a roster spot.
If the Patriots feel they need another back to contribute regularly as a pass catcher, they could turn to one of their early down backs in Rhamondre Stevenson and/or Damien Harris. Both proved to be effective on passing downs in college, but haven’t seen much time in that role so far in the NFL.
Sixth wide receiver
May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery (14) works with assistant coach Troy Brown at the team’s OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Favorite: Ty Montgomery
In contention: Tre Nixon, Kristian Wilkerson, Lil’Jordan Humphrey
The first big question here is simply will the Patriots keep a sixth receiver on the roster (not including Matthew Slater)? They project to be deeper than usual at some other positions (quarterback, running back, defensive backs) but there are ways they could make it work.
If they do end up keeping a sixth receiver, the decision could come down to style and fit as much as overall ability. The real question here is what are the Patriots looking to get from this roster spot?
As mentioned above, Montgomery’s versatility is valuable. He can also contribute on special teams. If the team counts him as a wide receiver, he’s a logic fit for this spot. If they see him as a running back, it could open the door for another player.
Again, this is where it comes down to fit. If the Patriots are looking for slot depth behind Jakobi Meyers and/or more speed, Tre Nixon is a logical fit. If they want a big body wide receiver to offer depth behind DeVante Parker, Humphrey makes more sense.
However, neither of those players have much special teams experience. Given how far down this spot is on the depth chart, that’s something the Patriots could factor in. If they weigh it enough, it could open up the door for Kristian Wilkerson, who spent a good amount of time in camp last year working with Slater and other specialists.
Unlike some other positional battles, the ultimate outcome here is tied into what happens at other positions as well. That makes this a storyline to track right up to roster cuts, and even possibly beyond that.
Off-ball middle linebacker
Michigan linebacker Cameron McGrone lines up against Indiana in Big Ten action in 2020. (Michigan Athletics)
Favorites: Cameron McGrone, Raekwon McMillan, Mack Wilson
In contention: Josh Uche, Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips
Dark horse: Jahlani Tavai, Harvey Langi
Ja’Whaun Bentley returns as the Patriots’ early-down, run-stopping, downhill middle linebacker, but his off-ball counterpart is unknown after the role pretty much went unfilled last year. That being said, there are some real high-upside players competing for the job in camp this year.
Cameron McGrone has drawn the most hype of this group. The 2021 fifth-round pick missed all of last season while rehabbing from a torn ACL, but the coaching staff has been highly complementary of the work he put in behind the scenes both during that season as well as this spring. If McGrone hits his ceiling, he projects as a true three-down linebacker.
Raekwon McMillian figured to be a factor in this conversation last year, but tore his ACL after a strong start to training camp. He’s more of a traditional run stopper but can play the full length of the field.
The other favorite is Mack Wilson, the fourth-year linebacker the Patriots acquired from the Cleveland Browns for Chase Winovich. Wilson showed promise in his rookie season, but then saw less and less playing time in his time with the Browns. He’s more of a hybrid safety, with pass coverage being the strongest element of his game.
All three players bring slightly different skillsets to the table. In a sense, there may not be a true competition here as there’s an argument for using all three in a platoon based on situation and matchups. If one of them really has a strong summer though, they could snag a significant chunk of those snaps.
There’s also the chance the Patriots have players from other positions contribute in this role. That’s been the case for the last few years with Adrian Phillips getting a number of linebacker-like assignments. Newly-signed Jabrill Peppers projects as a player who could do the same.
They could also pull an outside linebacker over to play in the middle. If that’s the route they go, Josh Uche has some experience and could be a fit.
Strong-side outside linebacker
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 12: Josh Uche #55 of the New England Patriots reacts against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Gillette Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Favorites: Josh Uche, Ronnie Perkins
In contention: Anfernee Jennings
Dark horse: Jabrill Peppers
Last season, Kyle Van Noy was one of the Patriots’ best front seven players. Handling the strong-side responsibilities opposite Matthew Judon, he had arguably the best season of his career. Now that he is with the Chargers, the Patriots will need to replace that production.
The good news is that they have a number of in-house candidates to fill the role. They’ve invested heavily on the edge in the draft in recent years, so there’s plenty of depth. Josh Uche and Ronnie Perkins are both top-100 picks who have been buried behind veteran depth to start their careers. They’ll have a chance to earn more playing time in this camp.
Anfernee Jennings was also a top-100 pick who could factor in. He was actually the Patriots’ third-most used linebacker as a rookie in 2020 playing 28.7 precent of the team’s defensive snaps, and showed some promise. However, he missed all of last season with an injury. He’ll look to pick up where he left off in 2020.
Peppers’ versatility could come into play here too. During the best season of his career with the Giants in 2020, he played a number of different roles including edge rusher. It’s unlikely he’ll see the majority of his time on the edge, but it would make sense for him to at least be in the rotation.
Boundary cornerback
Jun 8, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (4) during the New England Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Favorites: Jalen Mills
In contention: Malcolm Butler, Terrance Mitchell, Jack Jones
Dark horse: Justin Bethel, Shaun Wade, Joejuan Williams
When we talk about cornerbacks in the modern NFL, it really is two positions. There are ‘boundary’ cornerbacks, which are the players that usually come to mind first come to mind when talking about the general position. These are the guys who play mainly outside the numbers and are generally bigger more ball-hawk-type players. With the rise of slot receivers over the last 15-ish years, there’s naturally been a rise in ‘slot’ corners, who specialize in covering those players. Of course, there are players who can and do play both spots as well.
Heading into camp, boundary cornerback may be the most wide open position on the Patriots’ roster, as well as the key position battle. With the losses of Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson, there’s been a reset with that group.
On top of that, the Patriots generally like to rotate a third boundary cornerback during a game to keep players fresh (like they did with Jason McCourty). With that, there’s multiple spots to be won at this position.
Jalen Mills right now is the heavy favorite to be the top player in the rotation. He had a bounce-back year in his first year with the Patriots in 2021, after moving to safety towards the end of his time in Philly. If he could take another step in his second year in the system, that would be a major development for the secondary and the defense as a whole.
After Mills, the picture gets a little more cloudy. Malcolm Butler looked like a solid rotational cornerback, but that was two years ago. He’s not only coming off a year away from the game, but he’s also 32 years old. Cornerback is a position where father time can come quickly – only five cornerbacks over the age of 32 have played 10 or more games over the last two seasons.
Uncertainty doesn’t only apply to one end of the age spectrum though. Another contender for a rotational spot is rookie fourth-round pick Jack Jones. Jones’ performance this spring stood out, spring boarding him into the conversation. Still, he hasn’t covered NFL receivers at full speed yet, so there’s a few more boxes to check before he’s locked into a role.
Terrance Mitchell is the in the group with Butler and Jones competing for the second and third spots. The 30-year-old has shown growth over the last two seasons with the Browns and Texans, but his ceiling isn’t as high as the other two players.
This battle continues beyond those top three spots though, as the team will be looking for depth as well. Special teamer Justin Bethel’s natural position is cornerback, and he’s pitched in at times over the past two years. He could be asked to do so again in 2022.
Shaun Wade projects best as a slot cornerback, but does have experience on the outside. With the depth ahead of him in the slot, he could work his way into the mix on the boundary to get more reps.
Then there’s 2019 second-round pick Joejuan Williams. Outside of being used as an occasional tight end stopper in 2020, Williams hasn’t been able to find a role on defense with the Patriots in his three seasons in Foxborough – especially while he was buried behind tremendous cornerback depth. That’s no longer the case, and as he enters a contract year he’ll have his best chance yet to compete for and win a job.
Honorable mentions
Jun 8, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during the New England Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s a few other positional battles to keep an eye on that didn’t quite crack the top five…
Third tight end
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 03: Devin Asiasi #86 of the New England Patriots catches a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 3, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Favorites: Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene
In contention: Matt Sokol
With projected excessive depth at both running back and receiver, the Patriots may end up going light at the tight end position this year with just Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. However, if they want to keep a third it becomes a choice between the two 2020 draft picks – the traditional tight end in Devin Asiasi, or the H-back in Dalton Keene. Even if neither make the roster, they could be competing for practice squad elevations during the season.
Backup slot cornerback
Aug 12, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Myles Bryant (41) at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
In contention: Myles Bryant, Shaun Wade, Marcus Jones
With Jonathan Jones returning from a shoulder injury that cost him most of last season, the Patriots’ starting slot corner role is in great hands. But who will back him up, and potentially see time as a second slot corner against slot receiver-heavy teams like the Dolphins? Myles Bryant held that role last year, but he’ll be pushed by Shaun Wade and rookie third-round pick Marcus Jones (if Jones is healthy, he spent the spring in a red non-contact jersey after undergoing offseason surgery).
Punter
May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots punter Jake Bailey (7) walks to the practice field for the team’s OTA at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Favorite: Jake Bailey
Dark horse: Jake Julien
Look, I know I’m the ‘special teams guy’ and everybody was expected me to have punter in the top five. But in reality, Jake Bailey looked really good this spring after playing through an injury last year. Jake Julien does appear to have an NFL release, but Bailey is still a top-five (at least) punter in the league when healthy. It seems much more likely the team would give him a contract extension (he’s on the final year of his rookie deal) than move on from him.
Offensive play-caller
Senior football advisor Matt Patricia of the New England Patriots stands on the field before their game against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
In contention: Matt Patricia, Joe Judge
We don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors at Gillette, but publicly the Patriots have yet to identify a new offensive play caller. While that information may be known behind the scenes, we can only work with what we have.
If the Patriots haven’t decided on a play caller for the offense yet, that decision will likely linger into training camp. There’s not much precedent, if any, for a ‘position’ battle at the coaching level, but is that what this could turn into? If so, what exactly would that look like? Would there be a way to track it? Those are questions to keep in mind, especially once preseason games begin.
