Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have had success finding hidden gems over the past few seasons. Who will it be this season?
Whether it is trading for a player who hasn’t lived up to expectations on another team or signing a free agent who has yet to find their potential, the New England Patriots have made a habit of finding talent in places no other team can.
That includes undrafted rookies who find themselves making an impact on the 53-man roster.
If you want proof of that, look no further than last season with the contributions J.C. Jackson made at the cornerback position. He was a player fighting for a roster spot in training camp and ended Super Bowl LIII as the team’s No. 2 corner.
Then where was Malcolm Butler. While the ending of his time in New England will be remembered for the playing time he did not get, his rise to success was fueled off an opportunity he was given based on hard work, dedication and being ready when his number was called.
Going into training camp, the New England Patriots will have several undrafted rookie free agents who will have a shot at turning some heads, here are three who have the greatest potential of breaking the Patriots 53-man roster.
3. RB Nick Brossette, LSU
Running back depth shouldn’t be a problem for the New England Patriots in 2019.
With second-year running back and 2018 first-round pick Sony Michel leading the way, the defending Super Bowl champions also have James White, Rex Burkhead, Brandon Bolden and 2019 third-round pick Damien Harris in the mix.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
With that amount of depth, it would seem hard for an undrafted rookie like Nick Brossette to break the roster. But, coming off a breakout year in LSU in which he rushed for 1,039 yards and 14 touchdowns, the Patriots may have found a gem who is just finding his stride as he enters the NFL.
That may not bold well for veteran running backs Rex Burkhead and Brandon Bolden, especially if the 6-foot-0, 221-pound Brossete shows some flash on special teams. He has also played behind and shared the backfield with Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice while at LSU. That experience and seeing the success of Fournette in the NFL is a motivational factor for Brossette.
Also, given the injury history of Michel in his brief NFL career and Burkhead, Brossette could find himself on the practice squad at the very least, but will land on the roster if not make the 53-roster out right at some point in the season.
Hopefully, another NFL team doesn’t snag him up.
2. TE Andrew Beck, Texas
The New England Patriots have acquired tight end Michael Roberts from the Detroit Lions, but don’t for one second think the tight end competition rules out an opportunity for a player like Andrew Beck.
After releasing Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Ben Watson set to serve a four-game suspension to start the 2019 NFL season, the Patriots will go into training camp with Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson, Ryan Izzo along with Beck and Roberts fighting for possibly three spots.
Along with his blocking ability and leadership while at Texas, Beck has a sneaky ability to catch the ball which could give him the edge as the type of blocking tight end the team loves to utilize. Think about the role Dwayne Allen played with the team over the past two seasons.
Andrew Beck also has the highest guaranteed salary of all the Patriots’ undrafted free agents which means the team has some belief in his ability to earn a spot on the roster or on the practice squad.
In all, the 6-foot-3, 244-pound Beck is a player to watch in the tight end battle come July. He also started his college career as a linebacker. That versatility and ability to play on both sides of the ball may just increase his vale in Bill Belichick’s eyes.
1. WR Jakobi Meyers, NC State
Like running back Nick Brossette, undrafted rookie free agent wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is peaking at the right time coming out of college.
In 2018, the NC State product had 92 receptions for 1,047 yards and four touchdowns in just his second season playing the wide receiver position after beginning his college career as quarterback.
We’ve heard this quarterback converted to wide receiver story somewhere before.
Speaking of that story, with Julian Edelman and first-round pick N’Keal Harry as the only roster locks at the wide receiver position, the 6-foot-2, 203-pound Meyers has a great opportunity to become the latest Patriots hidden gem from the undrafted ranks.
As consistent as he became as a go-to guy during his junior year at NC State, that consistency could land him on the roster if he can outperform veterans Dontrelle Inman and Phillip Dorset.
Meyers does lack explosiveness, but his skill as a possession receiver and a blocker in the screen game could just earn him a shot at the 53-man roster. Certainly, a development project, but so was Edelman when he came into the league.
Expect Jacobi Meyers to be given an extended look come training camp. If he develops or shows any chemistry and comfort with Tom Brady, watch out.