You know the story when it comes to the New England Patriots. They are playoff contenders every single season. Should we expect anything different when it comes to 2016?
3 Position Battles To Watch:
- Guard: Jonathan Cooper vs. Joe Thuney vs. Tre Jackson vs. Shaq Mason
Jackson and Mason both started as rookie 4th round picks doing an incredible job along the way. Then again the Patriots traded for with the Cardinals for Jonathan Cooper for a reason. They may not be entirely satisfied.
2. Runningback: It’s a long list…..
Dion Lewis, LeGarrette Blount, James White, Donald Brown, D.J. Foster, Brandon Bolden, Joey Iosefa, and Tyler Gaffney are the list of players. At least 3 of those guys will get cut. I expect New England to keep Lewis, Blount, White, and Foster. Brown will be the surprise cut once the realize Foster’s receiving game.
3. Wide Receiver: Another long list…….
Danny Amendola, DeAndre Carter, Aaron Dobson, Julian Edelman, Keshawn Martin, Malcolm Mitchell, Mathew Slater, and Nate Washington. How many of these guys can the Pats keep especially if they want to keep an extra back.
Ready To Breakout: Jabaal Sheard
Chandler Jones is gone which means there are a lot of sacks to go around. Sheard had 8 sacks in his first year with New England after coming over from Cleveland. I’ll take the over on that number in 2016 as Sheard enters his prime.
Fantasy Sleeper: Martellus Bennett
There aren’t a ton of great options in terms of sleeper picks but Martellus Bennett is the best bet. The former Bear could be a top 10 tight end option even though he is the 2nd tight end on his own team.
Rookie To Watch: Cyrus Jones
New England’s draft just wasn’t very good but they probably hit on the Cyrus Jones pick. Nick Saban coaches up his defensive backs at Alabama and Jones figures to be the perfect slot guy for New England. The Patriots corners are all of the sudden pretty talented with Jones in the fold.
The story is always the same with the Pats. We can expect them to be title contenders again in 2016.
