New England Patriots Depth Chart 2020 New England Patriots Depth Chart

Preseason Analysis: Patriots Are Loading Up for Another Run

Can the Patriots’ Tight Ends Fill Rob Gronkowski’s Shoes?

While Gronkowski may have been showing signs of a decline last season, he still presented Brady with a big target that he could just throw 50-50 balls to. It’s worth noting that even in a down year for Gronk where he missed 3 games, he still amassed close to 700 receiving yards. While the Patriots have gotten by without Gronk for extended stretches of time before, it’ll be different knowing there’s no return or comeback coming. The Patriots have a couple experienced tight ends on the roster, but the most receiving yards any of them recorded last season was only 400. It’ll be impossible for one singular player to replace Gronk, but maybe the Patriots’ tight ends can fill his void by committee. It’s also not unimaginable to think a currently unknown player may burst out on the scene for the team establish himself as the main tight end. If there’s any team that can replace talent like Gronk, it would be the Patriots.

Do the Patriots Have Enough Depth at Wide Receiver?

One big concern for the Patriots will be whether they have enough receivers. While receivers aren’t as important in the Patriots’ system compared to other teams, it’s concerning to know Julian Edelman is their only established receiver. Guys like Phillip Dorsett and Dontrelle Inman have shown flashes, but neither had even 500 receiving yards last season. Demaryius Thomas is coming off a torn achilles. The Patriots first round draft pick N’Keal Harry has promise, but he’s still just a rookie that hasn’t played a snap yet. The most concerning part of this is that the Patriots don’t seem to have any deep threat on their team that can stretch out the field, especially without Gronk. Edelman is good but he’s most dangerous in the slot. One wild card in this is Josh Gordon, who is currently applying for reinstatement. If he can make his way back on the team, it’ll take a lot of stress and pressure off the rest of the Patriots’ receivers. Regardless of what happens, it should be fun seeing how Belichick adapts.

Are the Patriots Prepared for a Tom Brady Decline?

It feels like every season we ask if Tom Brady will finally fall off a cliff, and every year he beats the odds. However, this year does feel a little different from most. It’s been overlooked in the wake of the Patriots’ super bowl victory, but it did feel like Brady was showing signs of decline last season. He had his lowest passer rating in 5 years and threw for 11 interceptions, his most in 6 years. The Patriots also won the super bowl in large part despite him, not because of him, as he registered a 71.3 passer rating in the game. Although it’s possible Brady defeats father time for yet another season, it does feel like the Patriots should be more nervous than ever. It’s possible that they recognize a drop for Brady could be imminent, as they’ve drafted 2 quarterbacks in the past two seasons. Knowing Belichick, it wouldn’t be terribly surprising if he already has a contingency plan in place for a Brady decline.