NFL 2019: 3 New England Patriots sleepers to root for ahead of training camp
3. WR Gunner Olszewski
Talk about the ultimate New England Patriots story.
If undrafted Division II rookie Gunner Olszewski were to somehow make the practice squad, let alone the 53-man roster, it would be the ultimate definition of what the Patriots have been about this entire two decades of dominance.
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As a defensive back at Bemidji State, Olszewski compiled seven interceptions while covering opposing wide receivers. Now, with the Patriots, he is being asked to play slot receiver, and has an opportunity to do what players like Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola have done.
He has a chance to make a name for himself and master the position in the NFL. With the wide receiver depth chart pretty much open after Edelman and first-round pick N’Keal Harry, Gunner Olszewski is a player you’ll find yourself rooting for because he is a smaller guy (5-foot-10, 178 pounds) who plays close to the ground.
"“Yeah, I think they just saw I was a smaller guy, lower to the ground, quick, kind of like he said something like Danny Amendola,” Olszewski said about how the Patriots approached him to play receiver. “You know, he’s another Texas boy. It was cool to hear from that. I just want to prove them right now – prove that I can do this.”"
If nothing else, Olszewski has the mindset to prove people wrong and that will make him a fan favorite through training camp and the preseason.
Enough to make the team?
We’ll see.