After a full day to reflect and evaluate both the draft picks but the multitude of undrafted rookies who are now getting acclimated in Foxboro, I’m getting a better feel for the Pats 2014 roster.
The first thing that no draft haul should make us forget is that the Patriots have arguably the best players in the NFL on both the offensive and defensive side of the balls. Brady and Revis alone will make for another exciting year that will have the Pats in the hunt.
The top of the depth chart is loaded. There are certainly injury questions that will likely linger into the first month or two of the season. But luckily, that’s not when Super Bowls are won.
I don’t want to make too broad of a prediction, but I think the Pats’ Super Bowl hopes will hinge directly on how healthy Gronkowski and the defensive end/linebacker positions are come January.
They have their best depth in the secondary, offensive line and at wide receiver. The competition at those spots in training camp should be fascinating.
Michael Buchanan remains a player the team needs to take a big step forward. Will Smith is still recovering from his ACL injury, rookie Zach Moore is as raw as the come, and Jake Bequette will need to come out of nowhere to make the team again.
This is the most stacked I’ve ever seen the Patriots on defense since the mid-2000’s. They can play any front and Belichick will mix and match guys based on matchups. I feel confident about what the Pats pass rush will look like this season, even with some uncertainty at designated pass rusher.
Each year since 2009 the defense has added pieces and gotten a little better. This could be the year that we really see them take off, I really believe it.
Offensively, it’s all about getting and keeping Gronk healthy and the young wide receivers developing. The interior of the line has been reinforced and it wouldn’t be a shock to see a rookie starting at center or right guard (or both?).
There are some some spots where they’re thin, but as we saw last year, they have a remarkable ability to overcome injuries that would cripple most teams. On paper, this is a Super Bowl contending team.
We’ll see who’s on the field come January before we truly know how good a shot they have at number four.
