8 Patriots players with the most to prove in training camp
Training camp will be a proving ground for many Patriots players, who are attempting to make the team or seize a role as a starter.
Here are the Patriots players with the most to prove in training camp, starting on Thursday.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo
Garoppolo must prove he can take command of the Patriots offense. As Tedy Bruschi noted months ago, if Garoppolo struggles, Bill Belichick could always turn to rookie Jacoby Brissett. The Patriots could also sign a veteran free agent quarterback to compete and perhaps overtake the third-year quarterback. Garoppolo is considered by many to be ready to take over for Tom Brady during his four-game suspension. But he’ll have to prove that to Belichick in training camp.
Running back LeGarrette Blount
Blount must show he’s healthy and agile following his season-ending hip injury in 2015. He may have led the team in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns last season, but the 250-pound thumper is no longer a shoe-in to make the roster, let alone keep his job as a starter. He’s set to make $1 million this season with only $100,000 guaranteed, according to Spotrac.com.
Fullback James Develin
While Develin was injured with a broken leg for the 2015 season, the Patriots went without a fullback. Develin has to prove he’s still relevant in the Patriots offense, or else he’ll be out of a job.
Wide receiver Aaron Dobson
The receiver enters his fourth season having played only 12 games in his last two seasons. Not only does he need to prove he’s talented enough to remain on the Patriots roster, but he also must show that he’s capable of staying healthy through training camp, preseason, and beyond. The offseason additions of wideouts Chris Hogan and rookie Malcolm Mitchell don’t bode well for Dobson.
Guard Jonathan Cooper
Cooper said in June that the mental hurdle was the hardest part of overcoming his broken leg injury, which may have hampered his development since he joined the league as the Cardinals’ seventh-overall pick in the 2012 draft. It’s time for him to jump that mental hurdle, and prove he was worth the risk when the Patriots traded for him.
Defensive end/linebacker Shea McClellin
After the Patriots signed him in March, his former coach John Fox said McClellin is “probably an arrow-up guy.” The new arrival needs to prove Fox is right. And the first order of business is demonstrating he has the skills to play defensive end, linebacker, or both. Advanced stats from Pro Football Focus rated him as one of the worst linebackers in the league during Week 14 of last season. Perhaps he’ll fare better at his original position, defensive end, where the Patriots lined him up during minicamp.
Defensive end Geneo Grissom
The pass-rusher showed moments of excellence during rookie season in 2015, and notched a sack in the Patriots Week 17 win over the Dolphins. Chandler Jones’s departure means Grissom has an opportunity to earn play time, but the Patriots signed McClellin and Chris Long this offseason. Jabaal Sheard enters his second year with the team, and Rob Ninkovich enters his eighth with the Patriots. If Grissom doesn’t prove himself quickly, he could get buried under a deep group of veterans.
Cornerback Cyrus Jones
The Patriots top pick in the 2016 Draft is in competition for three different starting roles: slot cornerback, kick returner, and punt returner. He needs to prove he was worth his second-round draft status and win all three.
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