5 Patriots on the Bubble

With another stacked roster, the Patriots will once again have some hard decisions to make this summer. Some will be easier than others, but this is one professional sports team where everyone really is on a level playing ground when things kick off.

That can lead to surprises and more often than not, that means undrafted rookies making the team while draft picks and formerly promising players are sent packing. It used to be that no one the Patriots let go went on to do much of anything, but those days have changed.

Now spare cornerbacks are finding lucrative NFL contracts, while the one-and-done approach to rejuvenating one’s career with the Pats is still as smart a move as anyone like Chris Long or Cordarrelle Patterson can make. Get a ring then get paid.

Who are the 5 guys who are most on the bubble as we enter camp? Let’s take a look.

First, a note that I’m ignoring the receiver position which seems entirely fluid for three roster spots. After Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry they’re pretty much all on the bubble, with Harris, Inman and Berrios being the favorites.

Also, interior offensive line should be a bloodbath as well with Schwenke, Ferentz and Froholdt all competing. Like wide receiver, it’s less about who’s on the bubble and more that jobs are wide open.

Stephen Anderson – Anderson played 28 games for the Texans in 2016 and 2017 before spending last year on the Patriots’ practice squad. With Ben Watson out for September, Anderson has more career catches than free agent pickup Matt Lacosse, who should be a lock. Anderson shares a lot of skills with Lacosse so that could make his job harder, but if things remain as they currently are he only needs to beat out a 2018 7th-rounder and an undrafted rookies to make the team.

Duke Dawson – Dawson was taken in the second round last season and was seeing time with the starters until Jonathan Jones came back from injury and slipped right back into his starting slot role. Now, with JoeJuan Williams in the mix, along with last year’s gems J.C. Jackson and Keion Crossen, Dawson has an uphill climb to make the roster. Still, his most direct competition is for the slot role that Jones has, and with Jones only on a one-year deal it could make sense to hang on to Dawson for 2020.

Obi Melifonwu – One of my more intriguing players in camp, Melifonwu is a strong safety who can play the Patrick Chung role. He’s got good length and probably a bit more athleticism, which is a big plus in todays NFL. A 2nd-round pick, injuries limited his growth in his first two seasons. He’s still an untapped talent at a position where the Patriots would love to get younger.

Ryan Allen – Allen would seem like a lock if the Patriots hadn’t drafted punter Jacob Bailey in the 5th round. Allen is just a $1.5 million cap hit this year, with just 100K in dead money if cut. Despite his three Super Bowl titles, Allen will be fighting for his job.

Danny Shelton – Shelton was better down the stretch last year when he wasn’t being asked to just eat blockers in the middle. When he can attack he’s at his best, but attacking isn’t the core fundamental of the Patriots defense. He was a good depth re-signing, but rookie fifth-round pick Byron Cowart should have every chance to take the third defensive tackle job. Cowart is a better two-gap fit than Shelton, it will just be a question how quick he can pick things up.