New England Patriots: 5 players blazing the way into 2021 NFL season

Every New England Patriots player will have a role to play if the team is to get back into the playoffs in 2021 and five will have to blaze the way.

Five players could very likely be the keys to the entire season. On offense, they are Cam Newton, Damien Harris, and the tandem of Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry (considered as one here).

On defense, they are Dont’a Hightower and Matt Judon. There can be plenty of discussion about these selections, but let’s take a look at why these are the choices here.

First, let’s start with Cam Newton. He’s the presumptive starting quarterback and that position is always the most important on the squad.

While this space has highly touted newcomer, Mac Jones, Cam is poised to have a renaissance in 2021 and a breakout Patriots season.

He’s fresh. Other than that annoying hand injury in an early workout, which should be a thing of the past, he’s not injured. Also, he’s ostensibly in tip-top condition, as always.

Cam has had a year now in the system and knows it much better. He’s also hopefully free of any lingering effects of the Covid-19 he contracted last season.

Newton did his best with a pitiful offensive supporting cast after Julian Edelman went out and nearly got the Patriots into the playoffs, all that notwithstanding.

He got no credit almost anywhere but his contribution was appreciated here. This season he has some capable people to throw to. That’s likely to make all the difference.