The New England Patriots didn’t finish the 2021 NFL season in style, but the team did make progress by challenging in the AFC East and making the playoffs.Though exposed in the final few weeks of the season and the Wild Card round, the Patriots have some work to do both on the field and in the coaching staff.
The departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels should present a new challenge for Mac Jones and the Patriots’ offense as the team will look to add some more weapons around the quarterback in the second season of his NFL career.
New England Patriots, Bill Belichick has some decisions to make
The biggest offseason challenge for Belichick, however, will come on the defensive side of the football. Along with losing Pro Bowl cornerback J.C. Jackson in free agency, the Patriots had to make decisions on several aging players.
While the team did decide to move on from Kyle Van Noy and appear to have moved on from Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower, they did bring back veteran safety Devin McCourty who should serve as an on-the-field coach who can help younger players the team need to step up in 2022.
In fact, the New England Patriots have several young players on both sides of the football they have drafted over the last three seasons who have either not gotten the opportunity due to injury or are simply gaining experience and growing within the system.
So, while the Patriots will look to get faster, younger and more athletic through the draft or NFL free agency, here are 12 players already on the team who could change the game by making leaps in 2022.
No.13: Is New England Patriots tight end Dalton Keene a draft bust or hidden gem?
Is 2020 third-round pick Dalton Keene a wasted draft pick or is he a hidden gem?
The New England Patriots hope to find out in 2022 as the third-year tight end has spent more time on injured reserve than he has on the field.
Along with fellow 2020 third-round pick and UCLA product Devin Asiasi, Keene will be battling for a spot behind Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith at the tight end position after spending his 2021 season on injured reserve due to a neck injury.
With just 3 receptions for 16 yards on 5 targets in the six games he played in 2020, Keene has yet to spark any excitement at the tight end position, which would seemingly make him a long-shot to make the roster in 2022. But the intriguing thing about Keene is his versatility and ability to lineup at the fullback position.
The Patriots did let Jakob Johnson, who was holding down the fullback position, walk away in free agency. So if Keene can show flash as a hybrid fullback/tight end, he could find himself on the roster as a fullback, third tight end option.
If Keene does come back completely healthy, it is that versatility and ability to adjust his skillset to the professional level that will earn him a spot on the team. Due to the struggles of Jonnu Smith, he will have a chance to utilize those skills. If he shows the “toughness” and “ability to make plays” that stood out to Bill Belichick when he drafted him, Dalton Keene can certainly be a hidden gem.
It will be a major boost to the offense if he is.
No.12: Can Devin Asiasi emerge as more than the New England Patriots third tight end option?
If Jonnu Smith bounces back and flourished in New England, the Patriots may not need third-year tight end Devin Asiasi to make a leap in 2022, but it sure will be nice.
Like Keene, the 2020 third-round pick has the raw talent to morph into a reliable target in the Patriots’ offense, but the question is can he find his niche. More importantly, can the Patriots find a way to get more out of Asiasi than his two career catches for 39 yards.
In fairness to the UCLA product, he spent most of the 2021 NFL season on the inactive list. That was due to the two tight end set of Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith as the New England Patriots were finally able to get some production out of the tight end position.
Can Asiasi once again be the team’s third tight end option? Can he step up and give the team something to think about if Smith once again struggles? The hope at least would be for both him and Keene to provide competition at the position that would at least push Smith.
In concluding, Asiasi is a player who will likely be on the 2022 Patriots roster bubble heading into training camp, but he is still a young player with some untapped potential. If he shows off his skillset as a pass-catching tight end, the New England Patriots will have an added bonus on offense and Belichick’ drafting ability won’t look as bad when it comes to that 2020 NFL Draft.
No.11: Can Michael Onwenu help stabilize the New England Patriots offense line?
The New England Patriots created their own need for help along the offensive line by trading Shaq Mason to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to the 2022 NFL Draft. They also allowed Ted Karras to walk in free agency.
But perhaps the Mason move was less about creating cap space and more about what the team has and expect from tackle/guard Michael Onwenu.
Coming off another solid season, the former sixth-round draft pick is really the glue that will hold the offensive line together. They did draft Cole Strange with the No. 29 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but the Patriots will rely on Onwenu as a run blocker and a pass protector at either tackle position.
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Labeled as one of the team’s most underrated players, PFF highlights just how effective Onwenu has been at both positions during his first two seasons in the NFL:
"“Onwenu seems to be underrated even by the Patriots, who couldn’t find a starting spot for him last season despite his excellent play across multiple positions since being drafted. Onwenu has played left guard and right tackle well for the Patriots and has back-to-back seasons with a PFF grade of at least 84.3. His run blocking is outstanding, while his pass protection is more than adequate. He has already vastly exceeded expectations as a sixth-round pick and could develop into an elite offensive lineman.”"
With the moves the Patriots have made along the offensive line this offseason, it appears the team is not underrating the value of Michael Onwenu going into the 2022 NFL season. It seems they are banking on it.
No.10: Can Shaun Wade give a boost to the New England Patriots secondary
Who will be the J.C. Jackson of 2022?
A minor deal in 2021 in which the New England Patriots obtained rookie cornerback Shaun Wade from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a seventh-round pick could pay big dividends for Bill Belichick if the 2021 fifth-round pick lives up to his talent.
As one of college football’s best slot cornerbacks in 2019, Wade showed flashes in two preseason games for the Ravens, but Baltimore’s depth at the position made the rookie cornerback available and the Patriots pounced.
At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Wade not only brings upside to the New England Patriots secondary, but he is also a versatile defensive back who can play both cornerback and safety adding to that hint of position-less football Belichick may be introducing to the Patriots’ secondary.
With a half season learning on the sidelines and a full training camp with the team, the Ohio State alumni could emerge under Belichick on a depth chart that is starving for a surprise top corner to steal the spotlight and take the place of Jackson.
The Patriots will have a number of corners vying for that role, including former Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler, but Wade’s Big Ten experience and success, along with that versatility mentioned above certainly makes him a player to watch and a candidate to make a big leap in 2022 and give the New England Patriots secondary a fresh, new jolt.
No.9: Can Anfernee Jennings make an impact in New England Patriots front seven
The New England Patriots have a lot of former draft picks over the last two seasons who have spent more time watching from the sidelines than playing.
Add third-year linebacker Anfernee Jennings to those mix of players Bill Belichick will be counting on to make a leap in 2022.
A third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Alabama product is a bigger linebacker who will have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot at outside linebacker/edge rusher. Although his rushing skills were not highly touted coming out of college, he is a linebacker who is good against the run and has good recognitions skills.
Although the league is trending towards smaller, more athletic linebackers, Jennings should still have an opportunity to flourish under Belichick in his third season in the NFL. Given the team’s need at linebacker, it would be a disappointment if Jennings doesn’t even make the roster, which is quite possible given the other young linebackers who will be competing for spots.
After a couple seasons learning behind veteran linebackers like Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy and Matthew Judon, the time is now for Anfernee Jennings to prove his ability in the NFL. If he does, perhaps not drafting linebackers in the early rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft will turn out to be a good thing for the Patriots and show Belichick does know how to draft.
No.8: Can Tre Nixon sneak onto the New England Patriots 53-man roster
A nice little story that evolved during minicamp was the emergence of 2021 seventh-round pick Tre Nixon.
Prior to minicamp, Nixon wouldn’t have made this list as he was projected as a player who would have to battle to just make the 53-man roster. That could still be the case, but with the team’s need for a slot receiver, perhaps the Ole Miss product could follow the shows of one Julian Edelman?
Those are large shoes to fill, but Nixon’s work ethic throughout offseason practices has coaches and fellow teammates praising the 24-year-old wide receiver who will at least make things interesting at the wide receiver position once official training camp gets underway.
One of those players impressed by Nixon is veteran receiver Nelson Agholor.
"“I’m super excited because I’ve watched him work so hard,” Agholor said, via Patriots Wire. “Honestly, I don’t think there’s anyone who trains as hard as Tre Nixon in my opinion. He’s bested his butt since he’s gotten here. I have a lot of respect for him because all he does is stay quiet and work hard. So I’m happy you guys get a chance to get a glimpse of his hard work.”"
With second-round pick Tyquan Thornton expected to get a lot of the buzz this summer, a player like Nixon could be a sneaky important development for the Patriots who are looking to surround Mac Jones with as many reliable weapons as possible.
While this would be a great story for a hard worker like Nixon, just imagine who the transcendence of a seventh-round pick would be for Bill Belichick who doesn’t have the best resume when it comes to drafting receivers.
In all, Nixon making a jump in Year 2 of his career would be an unexpected benefit for the team. There seems to be one or two of every season. Tre Nixon is one to watch.
No.7: Will Joshuah Bledsoe get an opportunity to shine in New England Patriots secondary
A 2021 sixth-round pick, talented safety Joshuah Bledsoe was activated to the 53-man roster late in the 2021 NFL season, but New England Patriots fans didn’t really get to see what could make this young defensive back a steal in that draft.
With Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, and Kyle Dugger ahead of him, it is no surprise he didn’t really see the field but look for the product out of Missouri to get an extensive look during training camp in hopes he can be someone who can step up once McCourty hangs up the cleats.
As a safety/nickel hybrid, Bledsoe gives Bill Belichick yet another player with versatility in the defensive backfield. If he is set to introduce position-less football, Bledsoe’s competitive nature will fit right in.
Along with his foot quickness, Joshuah Bledsoe has the strength and physicality to jam receivers and hold his own against opposing offensive lineman. Could he be a Patrick Chung type?
He has plenty of upside to fit that mold and the Patriots could certainly use the physicality. Again, with McCourty, Phillips, Dugger and Jabril Peppers ahead of him, there is no rush to fit Bledsoe in the mix, but it would be a jolt for Belichick if this young safety flashes in the upcoming season.
No.6: Can New England Patriots second-year linebacker Ronnie Perkins make an impact?
This is going to be a big season for Ronnie Perkins who didn’t see the field during his rookie season despite being on the 53-man roster.
A pass rush machine coming out of Oklahoma, Perkins has the potential to morph into an impact player for a New England Patriots team starving for speed, physicality, and athleticism on defense.
Along with young players like Cameron McGrone, Josh Uche and even a player named previously in Anfernee Jennings, Perkins will be counted on to make a leap in 2022 more because of what he learned standing on the sidelines during his rookie season.
He will also have the benefit of learning from a player like Matthew Judon who was a dominate force on defense through most of the season. If a player like Perkins can develop and either play on the opposite side of Judon or serve as a secondary pass rusher, the Patriots’ defense will be that much better, and Bill Belichick would look genius for selecting the athletic edge rusher in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Above all, the maturation of Perkins would support Belichick not selecting a linebacker in the 2022 NFL Draft despite the team’s glaring need for one.
A big year for Ronnie Perkins indeed.
No. 5: Can the New England Patriots find the untapped potential in Cameron McGrone?
For years, the New England Patriots have benefited on unknown players making a name for themselves under Bill Belichick. If there is ever a time for one to unmask themselves as a major contributor, it is now, and that unknown talent is 2021 fifth-round pick Cameron McGrone.
Like fellow linebackers Ronnie Perkins and Anfernee Jennings, the talent is there with McGrone, but the question is how the Patriots will unlock that potential now that the Michigan product is fully healed from an ACL tear that sidelined him his entire rookie season.
With Belichick not drafting a linebacker high in the 2022 NFL Draft, it does appear the team is looking at players like McGrone to make a big leap in 2022 and he appears to be ready for it.
"“Last year was a long year,” McGrone said, via NESN. “A lot of learning. A lot of hard days working out, trying to get back, rehabbing. But the time is now. I’m back out on the field. Still a lot to learn, still a lot to improve on, but I’m very excited just to be up here with the rest of the guys working.”"
At 6-foot-1, 236 pounds, McGrone is a bit undersized for the linebacker position, but he exhibits the speed and explosiveness the Patriots need on defense, especially at the linebacker position.
Though there is a lack of veteran leadership ahead of him with the departure of Kyle Van Noy and Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins still unsigned, if the New England Patriots find a role for McGone and tap into his potential, he could be a fun player to watch in 2022 and beyond.
No. 4: Can Rhamondre Stevenson elevate his game as the New England Patriots featured back?
Following the 2022 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots appear to be loaded at the running back position. With the selections of Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris, the offense appears to be focused on the run even with trying to surround Mac Jones with playmakers.
One player who could play a dual role in the Patriots offense is running back Rhamondre Stevenson who showcased featured back power and some versatility catching the ball out of the backfield.
In forming a two-headed monster with Damien Harris, the 2022 NFL season appears to be Stevenson’s for the taking. With Harris entering the final year of his contract, the stage is set for the 2021 fourth-round draft pick out of Oklahoma to have his own breakout season.
After being placed in Bill Belichick’s infamous doghouse early in the season, Rhamondre Stevenson bounced back to rush for 606 yards on 133 carries with five rushing touchdowns. In all, it was his combination of strength and speed that translated into a player who was hard to take down and also a player who will just get better and better with the more touches he gets.
With the running back depth the team is expected to have heading into the season, the Patriots don’t need to depend on a leap by Stevenson, but it would sure be beneficial for the offense if he doubled the numbers he put up in his rookie campaign, creating highlight after highlight as he did so.
No. 3: Josh Uche needs a defined role in New England Patriots defense
Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are putting emphasis on more speed on defense and some of that speed is already on the team.
Can third-year linebacker Josh Uche finally pop on the field and have a breakout season?
The Patriots seem to be relying on the Michigan product and the other young linebackers mentioned previously to make leaps in 2022. How else can you explain the team passing on linebackers early in the 2022 NFL Draft? How else do you explain the team’s lack of activity when it comes to adding players at the position?
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Aside from acquiring Mack Wilson in a trade for Chase Winovich, there is nothing to get too excited about at the linebacker position, especially when the team will be without veteran linebackers Kyle Van Noy, Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins.
That does leave Uche in an interesting role in his third season in the NFL. After showing glimpses of that edge rush ability that made him so intriguing coming out of Michigan, it is time for more snaps and it will be time for him to take advantage of the huge opportunity ahead of him, especially once Belichick and the Patriots’ defense define his role on the team, which the Patriots head coach put emphasis on back during his rookie season.
"“We’ll be able to define his role and his situation much better next year – after a year of experience with him,” Belichick said two seasons ago, via the Providence Journal. “Looking forward to that, but he’s definitely going to be an asset for us. If he continues to work and improve, he’s got a good future.”"
Uche rarely saw the field in 2021, but another year under his belt learning from Belichick could finally turn into results on the field on a consistent basis in 2022. The New England Patriots defense desperately needs him to be a factor. He has the combination of size, speed, power and versatility to do just that.
No. 2: Will Christian Barmore be even better in 2022?
The 2021 NFL season proved the New England Patriots have a special talent in the middle of the defensive line in Christian Barmore.
Demanding more time on the field as the season went along, the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Barmore was a disrupter in the middle of the Patriots’ defense. He recorded just 1.5 sacks on the season, but the Alabama product was a nightmare for opposing offensive lineman and quarterbacks.
As off-the-field concerns led to Barmore’s fall into the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Belichick took a gamble and the defensive tackle played like a top 5 pick during his rookie season.
With a taste of that success, Barmore is hungry for more and so is Belichick who really needs Barmore to continue his impact along that defensive line. Obviously, other players will need to step up along that defensive line, especially veterans like Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson, Lawrence Guy and another young player in Byron Cowart, but it will center around Barmore as it should.
A budding star on defense, Barmore has proved to be the type of player who can set the tone on defense and Belichick will need him to do just that.
No. 2: Mac Jones must become the leader of the New England Patriots offense
Obviously, the weight of the 2022 NFL season is on the shoulders of Mac Jones.
After a solid rookie season, the New England Patriots are banking on Jones to take a big Year 2 leap in the NFL. Maybe they are counting on that too much as the young quarterback enters his second season with a question mark as an offensive coordinator.
With Josh McDaniels gone, Mac Jones will have to continue to learn with perhaps Joe Judge as the signal caller. No ideal, but it is what it is and Bill Belichick must either believe in his quarterback or will have a bigger role in the offensive play calling himself.
Whatever the case, Jones can only focus on getting better both physically and continue to define the cerebral aspect of his game. He will have some new playmakers around him like DeVante Parker and second-round pick Tyquan Thornton, but he will be relying on players like tight end Jonnu Smith and wide receiver Nelson Agholor to have better seasons in Year 2 with the Patriots.
Along with Hunter Henry, Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers and a group of versatile running backs, there is enough there around Jones for him to have a better season than he did in his rookie season in which he did make the Pro Bowl.
Still lacking that true No. 1 explosive wide receiver, the challenge is for Jones to make those players better and turn into a true leader on the field. That may be a lot of pressure put on the young Patriots quarterback in just his second season, but it sounds like Belichick believes he’s ready to do just that.