It’s a Patriots summertime tradition unlike any other.
Mostly, because no one else is dumb enough to undertake the annual task of ranking the entirety of the New England roster from top to bottom. Not even Bill Belichick -- who’s likely enjoying some beach or “VIII Rings” boat time on Nantucket during this NFL dead period a month before training camp -- ever has any reason to rank his players across all positions in this maniacal manner prior to the competitive action of August.
Why would he or anyone else?
Well, you may ask why while I simply ask why not?
Lists and rankings have been all the rage in the sports and sports media world for years, certainly in the social media era. Top 5s and 10s are fun. Debatable even. Right Jayson Tatum?
So breaking down the entirety of the current Patriots’ roster should be like eight-times as fun. Should be. But it’s not as easy as it sounds and certainly isn’t as easy as it was 10 or 15 years ago. The reality is that the Patriots are lacking much truly elite, high-end talent. Gone are the days when slotting the first five or 10 guys on the New England roster was debating GOATs and Pro Bowl talents. Now the difference between Nos. 2 and 12 might be seen as almost equally negligible as the gap between Nos. 15 and 35. There’s simply a lot of second- and third-tier talent on the Patriots’ roster, aging complementary options alongside young players trying to establish their roles or take their game to the next level.
But, alas, somebody has to rank the Patriots’ roster from 1-87, and if Belichick isn’t going to do it then WEEI.com is just the place to get it done.
So, here it is. Love it. Hate it. Debate it. Incinerate it. And WHEN you have problem with it – my guess being that problem will pop up as early as the No. 2 spot and certainly by No. 7 – come at me @JumboHart on Twitter. Because that’s what all these sports lists are really all about!
1 – Edge Matt Judon: He was a Pro Bowler in Baltimore and he’s a Pro Bowler in New England.
2 – PK Nick Folk: Just a kicker my ass. Folk has been a game-winning weapon the last couple years.
3 – S Adrian Phillips: Maybe the most underrated player on the Patriots as a critical member of the back end.
4 – S Kyle Dugger: Former controversial top pick appears poised to break out in 2022.
5 – DL Christian Barmore: Second-round rookie was a force and has the talent to be dominant.
6 – T Trent Brown: When he’s on the field he can dominate at the highest level.
7 – QB Mac Jones: After a very good rookie season, the expectations are sky high.
8 – C David Andrews: Oh so solid as a player and a leader.
9 – TE Hunter Henry: High floor/low ceiling offensive playmaker.
10 – RB Damien Harris: Good production a year ago, Harris should once again lead the running game.
11 – S Devin McCourty: Not as good as he once was, but still a key cog in the back end.
12 – RB Rhamondre Stevenson: Flashed three-down playmaking ability as a rookie.
13 – WR Kendrick Bourne: The closest thing to playmaker in the passing game the 2021 team had.
14 – WR Jakobi Meyers: All he does is get open and catch the football.
15 – DL Lawrence Guy: Veteran has been the key to the front for a few years, even if he might now be showing his age.
16 – CB Jonathan Jones: Proven slot corner might be the best cover guy left on the roster.
17 – P Jake Bailey: This is based on how good the former All-Pro looked in minicamp after a poor 2021.
18 – SPT Matthew Slater: Hall of Fame-caliber special teamer, leader and good dude.
19 – CB Jalen Mills: He shouldn’t be a starting corner, but was more than competitive forced into that role a year ago.
20 – S Jabrill Peppers: Former first-round pick adds even more depth and options to a stacked safety depth chart.
21 – DT Davon Godchaux: Big body in the middle of the front trying to live up to relatively big contract.
22 – DL Deatrich Wise Jr.: Never going to make wow plays, but can contribute across the DL.
23 – WR DeVante Parker: Fingers crossed the newcomer can stay healthy and return to 1,200-yard form to move up this ranking.
24 – LS Joe Cardona: Has always gotten the job done.
25 – T Isaiah Wynn: Never lived up to his draft status, but still a capable starting lineman.
26 – RB James White: Hip injury is a major concern for the pass catcher on the wrong side of 30.
27 – G Cole Strange: First-round pick projected to start at right guard.
28 – LB Ja’Whaun Bentley: The lone returning veteran at linebacker will be asked to lead and continue to make tackles.
29 – OL Mike Onwenu: Slated to return to the starting lineup on the in his third season.
30 – SPT Justin Bethel: Veteran special teamer who doesn’t look out of place when forced into defensive duty.
31 – CB Malcolm Butler: After a year of retirement the former Super Bowl hero is back to work in New England with a chance to start.
32 – CB Terrance Mitchell: Journeyman free agent addition competing for a top role in coverage.
33 – CB Jack Jones: Rookie mid-round pick with an eye on a big role in his first season in Foxborough.
34 – DL Henry Anderson: After year lost to IR, versatile veteran should contribute to the defensive front.
35 – WR Nelson Agholor: Veteran never lived up to his draft status, now doesn’t live up to a bloated paycheck.
36 – TE Jonnu Smith: The most disappointing member of the big 2021 free agent class, Smith still has enticing athleticism that needs to turn into production.
37 – LB Raekwon McMillan: Coming back from a torn ACL, veteran has starting experience and could play a key role in new-look LB corps.
38 – WR Tyquan Thornton: Speedy, lanky rookie receiver with a shot to at least put up complementary plays in Year 1.
39 – LB Josh Uche: Supposedly a big piece of the defensive puzzle, it’s make-or-break time for Uche.
40 – LB Cameron McGrone: Red-shirted as a rookie, speedy linebacker could be part of the new era at the position.
41 – OL James Ferentz: All he’s done in his career is stick around and get the job done when called upon.
42 – RB Kevin Harris: Once again healthy, the rookie has the talent and massive thighs to have a role if needed.
43 – OL Justin Herron: Young veteran could be a key backup on an offensive line with limited depth.
44 – CB/RET Marcus Jones: Still working back from surgeries on both shoulders, the rookie should contribute in the return game at the very least.
45 – LB Jahlani Tavai
46 – DT Carl Davis Jr.
47 – LB Ronnie Perkins: One of the many mid-round linebackers who’ll get a shot to win a role at the second level.
48 – DL Sam Roberts: Rookie looks the part of an impactful young DL, even as he makes a big jump in competition level.
49 – LB Harvey Langi
50 – DL Byron Cowart
51 – LB Anfernee Jennings: If there will ever be a time for the former Alabama edge defender it’s probably now.
52 – DL Daniel Ekuale
53 – LB Mack Wilson Sr.: Trade addition from Cleveland hopes a change in scenery brings a change in career arc.
54 – DB Myles Bryant
55 – RB Pierre Strong Jr.: Speedy rookie runner might be a year away.
56 – WR Ty Montgomery: Can never have too many veterans who know what they’re doing in the passing game, especially one that can play RB and WR.
57 – WR Tre Nixon: If minicamp matters, practice squad WR may be poised for big Year 2 Jump.
58 -- OL Yodny Cajuste
59 – WR N’Keal Harry: Former first-round pick is likely playing out the final days of his time as a Patriot.
60 – S Joshuah Bledsoe
61 – DB/SPT Cody Davis
62 – QB Brian Hoyer: As much a coach as he is a player at this point, the veteran probably knows the Patriots passing game as well as anyone else in the organization not named Belichick.
63 – WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
64 – RB J.J. Taylor
65 – OL Yasir Durant
66 – DL Bill Murray
67 – WR Kristian Wilkerson: Had his time in the spotlight last season, but really doesn’t seem to have much of a future in Foxborough.
68 – CB Joejuan Williams: Former second-round pick is likely playing out the final days of his time as a Patriot.
69 – CB Shaun Wade: One of the more curious stories as a young corner looking to find his footing.
70 – TE Devin Asiasi
71 – OL Will Sherman
72 – DL LaBryan Ray
73 – OL Andrew Stueber
74 – DL DaMarcus Mitchell
75 – OL Chasen Hines
76 – QB Bailey Zappe: Huge numbers in a pass-happy offense in college at least make him an interesting story. Only time will tell if the story has a Zappe ending!
77 – TE Dalton Keene
78 – DB/SPT Brandon Schooler: Started on both offense and defense at multiple schools in college with core special teams potential.
79 – TE Matt Sokol: A third, blocking tight end?
80 – OL Arlington Hambright
81 – WR Malcolm Perry
82 – OL Drew Desjarlais
83 – OL Kody Russey
84 -- OL Darryl Williams
85 -- P Jake Julien: He's not even the best punter on the team named Jake.
86 -- PK Tristan Vizcaino
87 -- LS Ross Reiter: No disrespect, but a backup long snapper is a backup long snapper.