New England Patriots: Derek Rivers season hasn’t ended

The New England Patriots season might have ended but Derek Rivers is still going strong and getting his 2020 season started early.

So far, Derek Rivers NFL career hasn’t gone as planned.  Being drafted by the New England Patriots in the 3rd round comes with some expectations.

The New England Patriots selected Rivers in the 3rd round back in 2017. Since then he has only played 6 games for the Patriots.

2019 could have been the year that Rivers finally broke out. He was healthy and would be needed after the loss of Trey Flowers.

Well, once again Rivers got injured and once again it was a season-ending knee injury.

Time is running out for Rivers. He needs to start making an impact or his NFL career is over. It seems like he has gotten the message.

Rivers has been a constant presence at Gillette Stadium. He has been rehabbing and working out to get ready for the 2020 season.

Once again the New England Patriots will need Rivers. The defense will have to continue improving at a stellar 2019.

New England’s offense is a giant question mark. Will Tom Brady stay or will he go? If Brady stays who will replace him.

So no matter what the defense will need pass-rushing defensive lineman. They already have guys like Deatrich Wise and Lawrence Guy but you have to wonder if Chase Winovich can continue to improve.

Winovich was great as a rookie. He had 5.5 sacks but players are known to go through a sophomore slump.

If Rivers doesn’t perform well (or at all) this season I think his time in New England will be up. They can’t keep giving Rivers chances when they are getting nothing in return.

Hopefully, after the hard work he is putting in the offseason, we will finally get to see what Derek Rivers is made of. If not it seems like he will be added to the relatively long list of Patriots draft picks who have been complete busts.