Season 1: Mac Jones
Season 2: Riley Leonard
Leonard is a rookie who should be an improvement over Jones by the end of the year. Leonard adds more to the run game, as well as a stronger arm for deep balls. Leonard has ideal sense of pressure, but might take some more time to develop his accuracy. The biggest concern for Leonard is his throwing motion which is slow. Will the patriots still be able to execute short quick passes with the longer throwing motion?
HB:
Season 1: Ezekiel Elliott
Season 2: Will Shipley
Another rookie starter, Shipley will look to add the home run speed to the Patriots backfield. Shipley is well rounded with power and elusiveness, but is much faster than both Elliott and Rhamondre Stevenson, who will also see snaps in this offense. Shipley is expected to be a work horse back, as long has he continues to improve his receiving ability.
WR:
Season 1: Juju Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Devante Parker/Jalen Reagor
Season 2: Tyquan Thornton, Calvin Ridley, Tyrone Broden
Thornton will be better season 2 than he was season 1. Ridley will be an upgrade over Juju, and Broden is an improved version of Jalen Reagor. The receiving core should be improved and give the rookie QB more help around him, both getting open and creating after the catch
TE:
Season 1: Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki
Season 2: Bryson Nesbit
Nesbit is raw to say the lease, but is fast and strong, two very important things for the position. Nesbit will need to develop, but has all the tools to become what Gee Scott was last year, with added blocking ability.
Offensive Line:
Season 1: Trent Brown, Marcus Cannon, David Andrews, Michael Onwenu, Cole Strange
Season 2: Trent Brown, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Michael Onwenu, Morgan Moses
Only one different starter, but allowing Cole Strange to get back to his natural position is helpful. There are two rookies that could crack the lineup based on DDT, but as of now this is the projected starters. One of the best units in the league a season ago returns 4/5 starters, and upgrades the fifth starter, along with better depth
Defensive line:
Season 1: Keion White, Brandon Williams, Deatrich Wise, Matthew Judon
Season 2: Keion White, Leonard Taylor, Kris Jenkins, Barryn Sorrell
Definitely a step back talent wise, but a big youth movement on the defensive front. This should hopefully be the starting front four for the rest of the PML year. The team may struggle early, but still has Judon and Wise as depth pieces if players need some more time to develop. These players on the defensive line take up some solid draft capital, so they will need to perform eventually.
Linebackers:
Season 1: Jawhuan Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Mack Wilson
Season 2: Jawhuan Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Bobby Wagner
Replacing Wilson with Wagner is a big upgrade, and should hopefully make up for the young defensive front. Expect to see less of Dugger playing sublb until the rest of the defense can hold their own in the run game.
Cornerbacks:
Season 1: Christian Gonzalez, Ameer Speed, Jonathan Jones
Season 2: Christian Gonzalez, Ameer Speed, Chidobe Awuzie
Gonzalez and Speed have taken massive steps forward compared to what they were a season ago. Awuzie is an upgrade over Jones, and Jones is available as depth in case of injury. This group should be the strength of the team.
Safeties:
Season 1: Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers
Season 2: Isaiah Bolden, Kyle Dugger, Byron Jones/Kyle Fuller/Khyree Jackson
Bolden should eventually be an upgrade over Phillips with his improved athletic ability. Dugger will be playing more deep safety, and there are more veterans able to step in, as well as young Khyree Jackson who could be a solid depth safety after being a second round pick
Special Teams
Season 1: Chad Ryland, Bryce Baringer
Season 2: Chad Ryland, Bryce Baringer
No changes, hopefully Ryland can improve on his shaky previous season. p
