Expect Pats rookies to play major roles this year

Historically, the Patriots don’t tear down their roster and rebuild. It’s more of a gradual process.

As players get older, newer players come in to lead. From Troy Brown and Willie McGinest to Rob Ninkovich and Vince Wilfork, the Pats have a way of replacing their productive veterans subtly. Typically, there aren’t drastic changes and that’s a big reason why the Patriots have been perennial contenders since 2001.

Rarely, do we head into a season [...]

Historically, the Patriots don’t tear down their roster and rebuild. It’s more of a gradual process.

As players get older, newer players come in to lead. From Troy Brown and Willie McGinest to Rob Ninkovich and Vince Wilfork, the Pats have a way of replacing their productive veterans subtly. Typically, there aren’t drastic changes and that’s a big reason why the Patriots have been perennial contenders since 2001.

Rarely, do we head into a season thinking the Patriots really need their rookie players to step up and contribute immediately. However, 2020 isn’t your typical season in New England. Instead, due to free agency and a pandemic, the Pats have lost several leaders and staples from their most recent run.

With Tom Brady, Don’t Hightower, Patrick Chung, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Duron Harmon and Marcus Cannon gone for various reasons, the 2020 rookie class is in the spotlight this year. After an abbreviated offseason with no preseason games, rookies are already behind. But they will be needed this season more than ever.

"Man, we grew a lot," said rookie linebacker Anfernee Jennings about his fellow Patriots rookies. "We came in like we already knew each other two or three years. So we have a great relationship, and I look forward to continuing to get to know the guys, and growing, and being a great teammate."

On defense, Jennings along with linebacker Josh Uche and Kyle Dugger could see ample playing time as early as Week 1. At linebacker, the Pats lost Hightower, Van Noy, Collins and Elandon Roberts from last year’s defense. That leaves Uche and Jennings with a rare opportunity to play big-time snaps at linebacker immediately.

The Patriots run of solid linebackers goes back years. It started when Bill Belichick came to the Patriots and had Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson already in place. It transformed into a historic list with names like Junior Seau, Mike Vrabel, Ninkovich, Jerod Mayo and Rosevelt Colvin. Last year’s team was as good as it got with Hightower, Van Noy and Collins. Those three players finished first, second and fourth on the team in sacks. They had the top two spots for total tackles and forced fumbles.

That’s a lot of production to lose. It also creates pressure for rookies like Uche and Jennings, who were selected back-to-back in the second and third rounds, to make an immediate impact.

"Right now I'm just doing whatever is needed of me, whatever the coaches are asking me," Uche said. "Each and every day, just improving slowly and surely, brick by brick. I put pressure on myself every day. That's the way my dad raised me so whatever the coaches tell me to do, I'm trying to I'm doing my best to get that done."

At safety, the Patriots have had phenomenal depth with Devin McCourty, Chung and Harmon dating back to 2014. When the Pats traded Harmon to Detroit and Chung opted out, it created a ripple effect through the secondary. Dugger represents the Pats top pick in the 2020 draft, but he comes to the NFL from Division II Lenoir-Rhyne. That’s a tough leap to make, but with McCourty having turned 33 last month, Dugger could be the future of this safety position in Foxboro.

He called this summer a blessing.

"As far as it being everything I could have hoped for, it has been and more just being able to be out there and be part of the team," Dugger said. "Everything we’re doing right now has been more than I could have ever asked for. It has been great."

On offense, the Patriots need help at tight end. Would-be starter, Matt LaCosse, opted out. That leaves rookies Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene with a chance to contribute immediately.

Asiasi looks like someone with good hands who could help. Keene, meanwhile, played tight end, full back and receiver at Virginia Tech and could be used in the same role here.

"I’m just trying to put my best foot forward with whatever it is and try to make an improvement each and every day," Asiasi said. "Whether it’s in the run game, pass game. Whether it’s special teams or just details in alignment and assignment. For me, it’s just trying to improve each and every day and helping my team win."

Added Keene: "I really don't know what my role is going to be. I'm preparing to do a lot of different things, so I got to take a step back and learn as much as I can about the offense. And whatever they ask me to do, that's what I'm going to do."