New England Patriots: Predicting the Week 1 roster in July

Defensive Linemen

• #90 Malcolm Brown
• #92 Geneo Grissom
• #93 Lawrence Guy
• #94 Kony Ealy*
• #95 Derek Rivers
• #97 Alan Branch*
• #98 Trey Flowers*
• #99 Vincent Valentine

Trey Flowers had a breakout season in 2016, and he should see himself in the starting role for 2017. Alan Branch will remain as the veteran anchor in the middle, but questions remain about the second DE spot. Kony Ealy, who was acquired via a trade with the Carolina Panthers, could be the answer. He struggled in Carolina but some believe the change of scenery and coaching of Bill Belichick will help Ealy become a solid pass rusher.

New England should also have a good amount of depth on the bench with Malcolm Brown, Geneo Grissom, Lawrence Guy, rookie Derek Rivers and Vincent Valentine. Rivers comes from Youngstown State, so adjusting to the NFL speed could be an issue, but he has a chance to force his way past Ealy to become a starter.

Linebackers

• #50 Rob Ninkovich*
• #51 David Harris*
• #52 Elandon Roberts
• #53 Kyle Van Noy*
• #54 Dont’a Hightower*
• #55 Jonathan Freeny
• #58 Shea McClellin

Earlier in the offseason, I included rookie Harvy Langi in this group. Though he could still make the team ahead of players like Jonathan Freeny or Shea McClellin, I think he will still need some time to develop. When the New York Jets cut David Harris and the Patriots signed him, that also was a blow to Langi’s chances.

Harris should jump right into a starting role alongside Dont’a Hightower. On the outside, Rob Ninkovich and Kyle Van Noy should remain. I do believe though that Roberts, Freeny, and McClellin will see a good amount of time on the field.