New England Patriots: 9 rookies on 53-man roster spells mediocrity
The New England Patriots currently have nine rookies on their 53-man roster with one more likely to be added when second-round draft pick Tyquan Thornton returns from injury as they enter the 2022 NFL season against Miami.
While there is some cause for joy that they have found that type of roster value in their 2022 draft and in undrafted free agency, there is a far more ominous note to be gleaned from this perceived wealth of riches in young players.
The Patriots have seldom rolled out rookie players into a meaningful role under Bill Belichick. They are for the most part relegated to a secondary role, playing little or often suffering from the “Foxborough flu” and put on injured reserve for their first season.
That there are so many rookies on the roster portends a very ominous sign for the fortunes of the 2022 team. Here’s why.
New England Patriots rookies are still rookies
While enthusiasm reigns in Patriot Nation because a number of draft picks have actually made the 53-man roster, looking a little deeper has to temper that euphoria with the facts. What this really demonstrates is that the roster wasn’t that good to begin with.
In fact, it’s worse than the 2021 version that was a playoff team riding high before collapsing down the stretch and being blown out of first place in the AFC East by the far better team, the machine known as the Buffalo Bills.
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Lost were the team’s best player, J.C. Jackson, and his eight interceptions. That alone makes the defense far worse. Jackson was inexplicably allowed to leave in free agency when he should have been signed to an extension a couple of years earlier.
In addition, the team cut ties with another of their better defensive players and best 2021 linebacker, Kyle Van Noy in another head-scratcher. They also inexplicably drafted no linebackers and are depending now on injury retreads like Raekwon McMillan and Mack Wilson, and former high draft picks Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings who have done little to nothing in their NFL careers to date.
The defense that was eviscerated by Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills added no one of significance on either of the first two levels of the defense. The defensive line has Christian Barmore, a possible Pro Bowl-level player, and little else.
The only addition was a sixth-round draft pick, Sam Roberts who has potential but is unlikely to see much playing time. While there is hope that some defensive players will shine, there are just too few of them for the defense itself to excel.
New England Patriots offense is in stall mode
Meanwhile, on offense, the team lost both of its starting guards, Shaq Mason, traded to Tampa Bay, and versatile Ted Karras to free agency. That forced (or prompted) them to use a first-round pick on a guard, Cole Strange.
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Strange was rated as third-round talent or so and labeled a reach by many and has struggled in preseason games. While they finally moved Trent Brown to left tackle, the offensive line generally is struggling to adapt to a new system and to new coaches, not including a new offensive coordinator for some reason.
DeVante Parker should help the receiving corps but Thornton’s injury situation will add nothing for weeks if not months. Meanwhile, the retirement of James White has left a gaping hole at receiving back, and it’s not quite certain who can or will fill that role.
Meanwhile, Mac Jones, and the hope for a booming second season, has been inconsistent in the new offense. Other than Strange and maybe Marcus Jones, it’s unlikely that any rookie will start or maybe even have any impact at all. That’s the problem.
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What they have left is just not good enough to contend for the AFC title and could be pushed toward the bottom of the East by even the New York Jets, no less. All this is the result of an offseason of questionable moves and non-moves all over the positional lot.
Can it all come together? Maybe it can, hopefully, it will. But if you are a betting man, don’t bet the farm on this mediocre roster doing anything but being, well, mediocre.