With names like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman getting most of the attention at Patriots minicamp, there are a few surprising players that took advantage of their opportunity during this teaching phase, but might’ve flown under the national drama spotlight.
The one thing about the Patriots, it really is a level playing field after the players arrive. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done or where you were drafted. That’s why every year an undrafted free agent or two, or some castoff from another team, makes the roster of the winningest team in the league.
Who are the surprising new faces who are standing out already in 2018? Here are two candidates who have opened eyes.
J.C. Jackson
Jackson is an undrafted rookie cornerback out of Maryland who has taken the majority of first-team reps across from Stephon Gilmore. Meanwhile Jason McCourty remains an observer. Is he healthy? Or are the Patriots that impressed with the undrafted rookie less than two months after his arrival? Here’s what NFL.com had to say about Jackson:
Jackson is a physical cornerback with quality size and an impressive ability to challenge and disrupt in press coverage. With just two years of major college experience, Jackson is on track to continue his education at the position while likely finding a suitable match for his particular talents. He doesn’t have great long speed or short-area acceleration to match routes, but he’s more than capable of handling bump-and-run coverage and all forms of zone. Jackson needs to improve his ball skills, but has eventual starting talent.
Jackson’s physicality certainly fits with what the Patriots like to do. He’s a bit short, but a squatty 210 pounds. With 56th-overall draft pick Duke Dawson being the exciting name, Jackson has been the one turning heads. Here are some sample tweets:
JC Jackson with another strong day working alongside Gilmore. Twice blanketed Patterson to prevent completions.
— Paul Perillo (@pfwpaul) June 7, 2018
JC Jackson continues to get plenty of work at corner. Had a couple of pass brekaups, one of which glanced off the top of his helmet. Right place, right time.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) June 7, 2018
Jacob Hollister
An undrafted rookie who made the roster last year is move tight end Jacob Hollister. He suited up for 15 games in 2017 and had just four catches, but he’s been making plenty of catches during OTAs and minicamp. A sample of tweets:
TE Jacob Hollister and CB JC Jackson were standouts on Day 3 of minicamp.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) June 7, 2018
Tight end Jacob Hollister had another good day. Got a lot of reps with Brady. Caught everything thrown his way.
— Matt Dolloff (@mattdolloff) June 7, 2018
No one was really expecting much out of the second-year player, especially at a position where Gronk, Dwayne Allen and Troy Niklas all seemed to potentially push him off the roster. But Hollister is unique in that he’s emerging as the second-best receiving threat behind Gronk, and that counts for a lot. Without Edelman and Danny Amendola the Patriots cannot ignore middle of the field receiving options and Hollister is certainly emerging as one.
I really love what Hollister has been showing. Truly the story of the past 10 years with Belichick searching for that elusive TE to pair with Gronk. The time when that TE and Gronk are both on the field together has been tantalizing yet ever so fleeting.