5 positions that could be up for grabs during Patriots training camp
The Patriots return nearly all of last season’s starters for the 2016 season. But a starter’s job is almost never safe.
New England has a number of positions that could be up for grabs. With young players in the mix, the position battles could last well into the regular season. As training camp gets underway, here are some of the notable positions on the depth chart that aren’t a sure-thing.
Running back
Last year’s starters Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount are both returning from injuries, which opens the door to other candidates. Pass-catching backs James White and D.J. Foster could supplant Lewis, who will start training camp on the PUP/active list. And power backs like Donald Brown, Tyler Gaffney, and Joey Iosefa will look to knock off Blount, as the 250-pound back is returning from a hip injury.
Third wide receiver
This offseason, the Patriots added three notable wide receivers to an already deep group of wideouts, which includes Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Keshawn Martin, and Aaron Dobson. New England signed Chris Hogan and Nate Washington in free agency, and drafted Malcolm Mitchell in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. With Edelman and Amendola likely holding onto their No. 1 and No. 2 receiver spots, the rest of the pass-catchers will be left to jockey for the third wide receiver position.
Third linebacker
Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, and who? Patriots linebacker Jonathan Freeny took on a larger role last season as Jerod Mayo’s productivity declined. Even before Mayo announced his retirement this offseason, the third linebacker position was undetermined. The Patriots added Shea McClellin, who played linebacker in his last two seasons with the Bears, but practiced solely at defensive end during minicamp. Conversely, Rob Ninkovich practiced at linebacker during minicamp after playing defensive end in 2015. Safety Patrick Chung also lined up as a linebacker on occasion in 2015. Perhaps, he can do more of the same in 2016.
Interior offensive line
Amid injuries and poor play, the Patriots offensive line was constantly in flux during the 2015 season. The personnel will likely continue to shuffle as the Patriots head into the 2016 season, as offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia rejoined the Patriots this offseason after briefly retiring. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, rookie Joe Thuney took most of the first-team reps at left guard with new addition Jonathan Cooper at right guard. Guards Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason enter training camp on the PUP list. And the battle for center between David Andrews and Bryan Stork continues to be unsettled, as both players started at the position for the Pats in 2015.
Slot cornerback
As noted by NESN’s Doug Kyed, rookie Cyrus Jones could be the Patriots starting slot corner after a strong minicamp performance. He’ll have to continue to beat out veterans Darryl Roberts and Justin Coleman. Coleman contributed at the position during the 2015 season, and played 27 percent of the defensive snaps. But according to Devin McCourty, Jones is catching on quickly.
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