It Is What It Is » 10 most intriguing veterans on Patriots roster

Good stuff as always from Chris Price, I’m especially intrigued by Jake Bequette. Price writes:

Bequette, a third-round pick of the Patriots last spring, fundamentally took a redshirt year last season as he grew accustomed to life in the NFL. (He played in three games and didn’t register any numbers.) Meanwhile, he was passed on the depth chart by fellow rookie Justin Francis, who flashed positively down the stretch and figures to be one of the first defensive ends off the bench in 2013 if given the opportunity. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Bequette, known primarily as a pass-rusher at Arkansas (he had 23.5 sacks as a collegian, including 10 as a senior in 2011), was strong enough in practice that he was named a Practice Player of the Week in late October. However, he needs to assert himself now if he wants to become part of the mix in 2013.

Had plenty of debate about Bequette over on my latest Bleacher Report 53-man roster article, where I left him off. Hard to believe he was a third round pick, and I guess my problem is that we didn’t see much versatility out of him last year. Can he play the LDE spot Ninkovich holds? Is he a linebacker? Or is he just a hand-down designated pass rusher? If he’s just a DPR he needs to really flash an array of pass rush moves this preseason, along with an elite burst, otherwise it’s bye bye.