When it comes to 2020 Pro Bowlers, the New England Patriots only had three players earn the honors following a 7-9 season. Two of those players were on special teams.
That pretty much summed up how the season went for Bill Belichick and the Tom Brady-less Patriots. It also exposed just how depleted of talent the team was.
Other than star cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl, punter Jake Bailey and special teamer Matthew Slater were the only other players recognized. No skill position players on the offensive side, no one from the team’s defensive front seven.
That doesn’t mean there weren’t a couple players deserving of the Pro Bowl like No. 2 cornerback J.C. Jackson, but it certainly highlighted the team’s deficiencies.
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Expect that to change in 2021 as the Patriots have brought in talent at those skill positions via free agency and the draft. They also have some second- and third-year players expected to make major leaps this upcoming NFL season. Are there some first time Pro Bowlers on the horizon?
Let’s explore.
6. New England Patriots have found something special in Jakobi Meyers
A former quarterback converted to wide receiver who leads the team in receiving yards. Sound familiar?
Oh, we are not talking Julian Edelman, we are talking about former undrafted free agent Jakobi Meyers who was one of the bright spots for the New England Patriots in 2020.
Ironically, it was the season and career-ending injury suffered by Edelman that allowed Meyers the opportunity to make a leap in 2020. With a lack of reliable weapons in the passing game, the N.C. State product certainly flourished becoming Cam Newton’s go-to man racking up 729 yards on 59 receptions.
Yes, I know, not exactly Pro Bowl numbers, but 2020 was just Meyers’ second season in the NFL. And given the fact that he also threw for two touchdowns, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels got creative with Meyers and expect more of that in 2021.
A potential Pro Bowler?
It would be nice and a great story for Meyers, but that is not a prediction I would take to the bank considering the infusion of playmakers at the tight end position and a couple of receivers in Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne who come to New England with higher expectations.
Still, Meyers has an opportunity to make another leap in his third year. With increased confidence and a deeper knowledge of the offensive game plan, don’t be surprised if the third-year receiver stakes his claim to that slot receiver role. Beyond that, sky is the limit for Jakobi Meyers in an offense that typically depends on the short passing game.
5. New England Patriots running back Damien Harris rushing for stardom
Will 2021 be the year of Damien Harris?
The New England Patriots running back showed that he can be the primary back in 2020 when he was healthy. In 10 games played, Harris racked up 691 yards and two touchdowns. More impressive was his 5.0 yards per carry with a running style the Patriots have been clamoring for.
Though the season ended in disappointment for Harris, as he missed the final weeks of the season due to injury, it was a nice Year 2 leap for the Alabama hammer and a season he can certainly build off entering his third year in the league.
Given his work ethic, as highlighted by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick following minicamp, Harris has the tools to rush for over 1,000 yards this upcoming season if he’s healthy.
"“Damien works extremely hard,” Belichick said during his video conference, as transcribed by NBC Sports Boston. “Works at all phases, all aspects of his game, certainly his conditioning and training, running game, passing game, protection, route running, catching the ball. “He’s a hard-working kid that just tries to do whatever he can to help the team and he’s got a lot of skill and can contribute in a variety of ways and he’s looking to improve and upgrade where he is in every area.”"
Obviously, the team’s most complete back, Harris has Pro-Bowl potential because of his running style and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. The only thing perhaps standing in his way besides health, is the Patriots’ depth chart that includes Sony Michel, James White, J.J. Taylor and fourth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson.
The success of either of those players could take some snaps away from Harris, but there is no doubt he will enter the 2021 NFL season as the No. 1 back. He just has to maintain it. As long as he does, he will make a name for himself in the NFL.
4. New England Patriots edge rusher Chase Winovich has to overcome Bill Belichick
Okay, this one will surprise most New England Patriots fans given the struggles of Chase Winovich in his second season with the team.
But this fan expects the Michigan product with the high energy and golden locks to bounce back in a tremendous way in his third season dealing with Bill Belichick.
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While he was not spotted on the field during minicamp, sparking some speculation regarding his status with the team, Winovich does appear focused to improve his game and build off his rookie season success by learning from whatever failures that decreased his snaps in his second season.
Averaging 5.0 sacks in his first two seasons in the NFL, it is obvious this man can get to the quarterback and the addition of Matthew Judon along with the returns of Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy should help his production.
Will that propel him to Pro Bowl status?
Well, if he doubles those sacks and becomes a consistent pest for opposing quarterbacks, there should be some consideration as most of his focus will be on rushing the other team’s passer.
If he stays focus, improves against the run and continues to showcase that persistent energy, it should be a big year for Winovich. He will certainly have some competition in Josh Uche and 2021 third-round pick Ronnie Perkins pushing him.
At the end, Winovich should win out and having those players ready to take his snaps at any moment will only fuel his motivation.
3. New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson won’t be snubbed this time around
The player with the most motivation to notch his first Pro Bowl nod is New England Patriots young cornerback J.C. Jackson.
After being snubbed in 2020, Jackson will be out to prove that he is indeed a player capable of being a top cornerback. Depending on what happens with the Stephon Gilmore contract saga, Jackson could get more of a chance to show his capabilities in 2021.
The other motivation behind Jackson having a Pro Bowl year is the big pay day that could lay ahead for the former undrafted rookie free agent.
The Patriots currently have him under contract for $4.8 million in 2021. When it comes to a contract extension, Jackson is taking the high road and focused on his production on the football field.
"“I didn’t get no extension. So what? Who cares? I know it’s coming,” Jackson said while speaking with NFL Media’s Mike Giardi, via WEEI. “I just love the game, man. The money going to come. I just love playing football.”"
If J.C. Jackson continues to show his ballhawk tendencies in 2021, Belichick and the Patriots would be pressed to give the man what he wants. With 17 interceptions the past two seasons combined, Jackson is certainly knocking on the door of a Pro Bowl and perhaps more.
In fact, he could be the one element in the way of Gilmore scoring a multi-year contract. If the team believes Jackson can take over that shutdown corner role, the would probably rather pay him the money and let the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year walk following the 2021 NFL season.
2. New England Patriots surprise rookie standout Michael Onwenu will continue to shine
The New England Patriots offensive line is one of the strengths of the roster mostly because of a sixth-round pick who served as the team’s most impactful rookie in 2020.
As perhaps the biggest steal of the 2020 NFL Draft, Michael Onwenu figures to be a big part of the offensive line in his second season in the NFL and a major reason the team was able to part ways with veteran right tackle Marcus Cannon. He is also a reason why the team will be okay after watching All-Pro guard Joe Thuney walk away in free agency.
In starting all 16 games in 2020, Onwenu’s ability to play either tackle or guard is what makes him so valuable entering the 2021 NFL season. That versatility as well as his reliability along the Patriots offensive line is what will propel him from the PFWA All-Rookie Team to the Pro Bowl.
With the return of the massive Trent Brown at left tackle, the emergence of Onwenu at either tackle or guard allows for the team to kick Isaiah Wynn inside to with Shaq Mason and center David Andrews to form a very physical interior of the offensive line for the running game. Brown and Onwenu at tackle help protect the quarterback, but also makes the Patriots offensive line just that more physical.
Above all, it is how Onwenu approaches the game that makes him one of Bill Belichick’s biggest draft steals.
"“I just approached the offseason doing the basics,” Onwenu said back in May, as transcribed by Boston.com. “The general rules will lead you and carry you along in the season, whatever [you play] position-wise. As long as I’m doing the technique my coaches are teaching, I think anywhere that I am, I’ll be pretty good.”"
Just doing what the coaching staff asks him to do is exactly why Michael Onwenu ends the year as a Pro Bowl selection.
1. New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry will be tough to cover
It’s safe to say new Patriots tight end Hunter Henry will have a breakout year in New England as long as he is healthy.
As one of the prize free agent signings of the offseason, Henry is a welcomed addition to a position that has been less than subpar the last couple of seasons, especially since the retirement of Rob Gronkowski.
Along with Jonnu Smith, Henry will form a two-headed monster that could make the Patriots offense tough defend no matter if the quarterback is Cam Newton or Mac Jones.
Described as a “young, more dynamic version” by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots tight end could indeed capture his first Pro-Bowl nod in New England. Coming off back-to-back 600-yard seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Hunter Henry is ready to make that next step into the top echelon of tight ends.
What better place to do that than New England for a team with a history of focusing the offense through the pass-catching tight end. And what better coach to do that for than a coach in Bill Belichick that has been singing his praises before he was even drafted into NFL.
Again, as long as injuries don’t get in the way, Henry should succeed with the Patriots as that big target they have been missing since the days of that big tight end down in Tampa Bay named Gronk.
Will he be as dominant as Gronkowski?
Well, that would be a challenge to say the least, but he certainly can have a Gronkowski type season in the passing game because he can both stretch the field vertically and be a reliable short-yardage option who can keep the chains moving.