Pats Pulpit
The latest edition of our Patriots mailbag answers questions about the receivers, offensive line and more.
As the offseason rolls on, the New England Patriots will wrap up their second week of OTAs on Friday which included a session open to the media on Wednesday.
So let’s talk about it all and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
It was feeling like twelve receivers in camp was overkill, but with Diggs already putting one foot in the doghouse and not being at the last practice, Baker already seeming clueless and a couple of guys still not available, does it suddenly seem like roster surprises are likely? They do have to build the culture . . . - ed.liebfried
While 12 does seem like a lot of wide receivers it’s around the same number for most teams around the league at this point in the season, as Mike Vrabel has pointed out numerous times. It’s also been helpful for New England as they have been down three receivers (Diggs, Mack Hollins and Ja’Lynn Polk) during competitive team drills this spring.
As for surprises, there isn’t much at this point that would constitute as a surprise for me perhaps outside of Javon Baker making the team over someone like Hollins. I could see it both ways for many of the bubble players such as Polk, Kayshon Boutte, and Efton Chism III.
For now I’ll stick Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, and Kyle Williams making the team and the final spot coming down to Chism or Polk.
Q: I think one of the most interesting position battles is going to be at Center. Barring injury, who starts game 1? Game 8? Would it be too risky to go with two rookies on the offensive line to start the season even if Wilson has the edge over Bradbury in training camp? - tpr04
I am much higher on Jared Wilson than Garrett Bradbury after the veteran was the worst pass blocking center in football last season. But, Wilson’s track toward winning the job out of camp has slowed as he’s been limited throughout OTAs. With that, we’ll side with the veteran to open the season and bet that Wilson takes over at some point during the season.
I haven’t heard anything on Marcus Bryant during these OTAs so far. How is he doing? Where is he practicing, LT or RT? Does it look like he’ll be on the 53 man roster or practice squad? - Prbyrne.1
New England’s seventh-round draft pick has been repping at both left and right tackle during the two open OTAs. He has been part of a group that has/will include Vederian Lowe, Trey Jacobs, Caedan Wallace, and T/G Jack Conley which will compete for top offensive tackle duties behind Will Campbell and Morgan Moses.
What can we expect for turnover among last season’s running backs and tight ends?
***I like the players they drafted and signed as undrafted players. How many get...
