Last season, with COVID-19 opt-outs, free agency departures and an influx of rookie talent, we couldn’t help but wonder if the New England Patriots could assemble a highly competitive fifty three man roster. Now, following an uncharacteristically aggressive free agency period, solid draft and veteran returns, we can’t help but wonder how some talented payers will be able to crack the Pats' 53. Shows what a difference a year can make in the NFL.
Many players have their roles set for 2021, be they starter or situational. There will be camp battles to set a few positions, like quarterback, offensive line and wide receiver. But by and large we’re looking at a deep roster where playing time could be at a premium. Expectations are sky high for some second year players Kyle Dugger and Josh Uche, and 2020 breakouts like Jakobi Meyers and Damien Harris. So who are the players who will be competing for those final roster spots? And could they not just be fighting to make the team, but also an impact? Here are five players who could not just be Player No. 53 but also make a legitimate impact on a talented and vastly improved 2021 Patriots team.
MYLES BRYANT
Bryant could become the latest in what’s turning into a long line of undrafted cornerbacks (Malcolm Butler, Jonathan Jones, JC Jackson) to not only make the team but make meaningful plays for the Patriots. Bryant burst onto the scene in 2020 with this spectacular INT vs the Rams on Thursday Night Football.
Even with the continued absence of Stephon Gilmore the Patriots have one of the deeper secondaries in football. But with Jason McCourty leaving for the Giants, and Joejuan Williams yet to establish himself a promising second year player who’s flashed previously and has a lot of compete to him could not only make the team but also find his way onto the field with some frequency. Bryant could also make the team as security for 2022 when Gilmore and starting corner JC Jackson are both set to be unrestricted free agents.
DEVIN ASIASI
Sure, you could say there’s nowhere to go but up for a tight end who only notched two catches in his rookie year, both coming in the final game of the season, vs the Jets no less. Some might say the additions of high priced free agent tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry will crowd the position and leave fewer options for the second-year tight end out of UCLA. Instead, let’s see it as pressure coming off Asiasi to carry the load at the position, so he can reset and establish himself in a non-COVID year, with a proper offseason of training and talented veterans to learn from. No offense, but Ryan Izzo was hardly the ideal mentor for Asiasi and fellow 2020 rookie Dalton Keene. Plus, reports out of OTAs and minicamp were all positive for Asiasi, so with attention paid to the running game and new receivers, perhaps now Asiasi will have a chance to surprise defenses and showcase why the Patriots traded up for him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
TRE NIXON
The player made famous locally as Ernie Adams’ final draft pick with the Patriots could take advantage of uncertainty at the wide receiver position and find his way onto the roster. Third year standout Jakobi Meyers and free agent acquisitions Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne are locks, as is Gunner Olszewski, though to what degree the All-Pro punt returner is used as a receiver this season is yet to be known. That leaves a spot or two at receiver, where Nixon will be competing for with the likes of N’Keal Harry, Isaiah Zuber, Devin Ross, Devin Smith, Marvin Hall and more. Nixon had a breakout 2019 campaign before being injured in 2020, affecting his draft status severely. If he can return to his 2019 form, and maybe showcase some of the talent the last receiver Adams drafted, David Givens, then the Pats might have a diamond in the receiver rough for years to come.
J.J. TAYLOR
The Patriots addressed many pressing needs via both free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft. But one they did not address was third down back of the future. They resigned current third down/passing back James White to a one year deal, which most believe could likely be his final one with the Pats. The team has incorporated the third down back for decades, and has a long lineage of standout talent at the position before White, like Kevin Faulk, Danny Woodhead and Shane Vereen. Perhaps the diminutive Taylor is next in line. His position coach, Ivan Fears, loves his and said, “He’s having a hell of a spring.” Rex Burkhead, recovering from an ACL tear, has moved on to the Texans, freeing up more carries and passing down opportunities as well. The Pats did draft Rhamondre Stevenson out of Oklahoma in the fourth round, but we don’t know exactly how the team plans to use the back nicknamed “Baby Blount” (yeah, he’s big). Behind a big O-line, big backs and big tight ends maybe the smaller Taylor can start making big contributions this year and establish a larger role going forward.
RONNIE PERKINS
Most Patriots analysts and fans agree that rookie defensive lineman Christian Barmore out of Alabama has a great chance to make an immediate impact, likely as a situational interior rusher. Perkins, however, has a less clear role heading into his rookie campaign with the team. The former Oklahoma defensive end/linebacker enters a crowded space on the team, especially with the addition of high-priced free agent Matt Judon, the return of defensive captain Dont’a Hightower and the ascension of second year pass rusher Josh Uche. Perhaps Perkins, who drew praise for a solid spring, can use his combination of size, speed and energy to force his way onto the field. Plus the uncertainty surrounding the situation of third year DE/LB Chase Winovich could give Perkins a shot at more playing time than expected. Winovich did just tweet he that he loves being a Patriot, still his spot seems far from locked. And lest we forget it was just six years ago that an unheralded DE/OLB out of Arkansas was taken around the same spot by the Patriots in Trey Flowers, who flashed immediately that preseason, and were it not for injury Flowers likely would have seen the field a good deal (he really made an impact in 2016 for the Pats). If Perkins could follow a similar path then success and opportunity are sure to follow.