Less than a week ago, Bill Belichick’s (or Matt Groh's?) Patriots added 10 draft picks to the team’s roster.
Less than a week from now, those draft picks will take part in their rookie mini-camp at Gillette Stadium, the first process in their indoctrination into professional football and the their first step toward competing for roster spots, roles and maybe even starting jobs this coming fall.
The widely-held perception heading into the 2022 NFL Draft was that the Patriots had a lot of holes to fill at various spots including cornerback, offensive line, wide receiver, linebacker and defensive front. A number of New England’s picks proved that perception correct with first- and second-day selections indeed targeting the offensive line, wide receiver and cornerback spots.
So, in theory, the coaching staff has new talent to inject into the competitive mix and project as possible contributors. But as Belichick likes to say, you really never know what a player is until he’s in your system, working with you and your scheme on a daily basis. Some of these rookies will probably hit the ground running and give themselves a chance to compete and even play the second they hit the May practices fields of Foxborough. Others, will take longer to get up to speed and develop. And some probably will never fit in or live up the hopes of the team that drafted them.
With that in mind, and before these rookies do anything other than live off their college play, pre-draft resume and draft status, here’s a sight unseen, way too early projection of just how New England’s 10 2022 NFL Draft picks might fit in the infant stages of their careers as Patriots. As such we’ve ranked them, from most likely to contribute right away to the guys who may never even see the Gillette Stadium light of game day.
1 – Cole Strange, G, Tennessee-Chattanooga: As is generally the case for Belichick’s Patriots, the team targeted a clear need with its first-round pick. The trade of Shaq Mason and free agent loss of Ted Karras opened up two holes in the starting lineup on the interior offensive line, one of which will be expected to be filled by third-year player Mike Onwenu. The other simply has to be projected as Strange’s job to lose, even as he makes a massive jump in level of competition from FCS to the NFL. Assuming he’s healthy, it will be strange to see the rookie do anything other than be given every opportunity to start in one of the guard spots from Day 1. If he’s not ready for that job it will be a major disappointment and heap even more criticism on his selection at No. 29 overall.
2 – Marcus Jones, CB/Returner, Houston: Beyond Strange, there’s really no other pick who seemingly is on solid footing in terms of immediate playing time and contributions. But Jones, thanks to his All-American return ability and overall versatility has to be the next best option to have a pretty instant impact. Sure he’s coming off surgery on both his shoulders this winter, but assuming he works back from those he should be in line to fill the void left by the free agent departure of former All-Pro punt returner Gunner Olszewski. If he makes the roster in that role on a weekly basis that could/should put him in consideration for at least rotational reserve reps in the secondary.
3 – Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor: The fact is that there are very few players in the NFL – or anywhere – as fast as Thornton and his 4.28 40. Nelson Agholor was a disappointment a year ago as the outside, speedy receiver option. His status is uncertain at best. That should open a door for Thornton to at least be in the mix in certain personnel packages as a rookie.
If he could add a special teams role to his repertoire that would certainly increase his likelihood of being an option on the active roster on game day.
But even if he has to wait for a veteran to miss time to injury, as a second-round pick with special speed Thornton should get his chance at some point.
Still, expectations probably need to be managed. Anything more than 20-something receptions as a rookie would probably be seen as a very positive first step in his career in New England.
4 – Jack Jones, CB, Arizona State: Let’s be honest, the uncertainty on the cornerback depth chart gives everyone a legitimate chance to compete for a role. Belichick has never been shy about giving cornerback roles to mid-round picks or even undrafted players. If you can cover and compete, you can play. Jones was once an elite coverage prospect coming out of high school who had his various issues in college. Plenty of cornerbacks with questionable routes to New England have found ways to contribute very early on in their careers.
5 – Kevin Harris, RB, South Carolina: Even some of the best of past young Patriots running backs had limited rookie seasons. Current key backfield cogs Damien Harris and James White sat and watched for basically the entirety of their rookie campaigns. But the nature of the position says that injuries happen and fill-in reps will be needed at some point in a long NFL season. Harris gets the slight nod for limited reserve action over his rookie teammate based mostly on the level of competition he played against in college that might make him bit a more “NFL ready.”
6 – Pierre Strong, RB, South Dakota State: Strong’s speed and production are unquestionable. He easily could end up much higher on this list. Questions about his pass protection and ability to contribute in the passing game might hinder his ability to get on the field early in the process.
But at some point it feels like he’ll make a strong case for playing time. At the very least he should be fun to watch in preseason action.
7 – Andrew Stueber, OL, Michigan: The last of New England’s draft picks and last of its three linemen selected isn’t last in terms of potential to contribute. Stueber has the kind of playing experience, work ethic and attitude that could make him a backup option more valuable than his draft status. Both Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown have questionable histories in terms of durability, so depth at tackle is always a concern. There aren’t really a lot of proven backup options, meaning if Stueber can take care of his business early in his career he might just have a chance to get some playing time.
8 –Sam Roberts, DT, Northwest Missouri State: Roberts is a powerful interior pass rusher from a lower level of competition at a position that’s got some relative depth. Sure he could surprise in practice and preseason action to earn consideration. More likely, though, he looks like a guy with longer-term upside who might need some time to adjust to the NFL. As always, though, if Roberts can increase his value in the kicking game it would be a huge step toward other opportunities to play.
9 – Chasen Hines, C, LSU: Whether the Patriots view Hines as more of a guard or a center remains to be seen. Either way, he has his work cut out for himself to earn playing time as a rookie. Certainly potential interior versatility and experience playing at a high level could help him as he competes in New England. His durability, weight issues and technique are reasons why he might be seen more of a developmental prospect.
10 – Bailey Zappe, QB, Western Kentucky: Zappe put up huge numbers a year ago with nearly 6,000 yards and 60 touchdown passes, but it’s hard to envision him as more than a developmental project behind Mac Jones and veteran backup Brian Hoyer. Zappe’s first order of business is simply to find a way to stick around. Jarrett Stidham’s time in New England could be coming to an end and Zappe may have a future in a backup role, but for now he’s likely just a name on the depth chart and little more. If Zappe plays in the regular season that’s bad news for Jones, the Patriots and all of New England.
