Pats' draft picks might be relied on for significant roles – Boston Herald
FOXBORO — An impressive group of rookies has overtaken the Patriots’ lineup early in camp, and the roster could appear a lot younger as the team defends its crown.
The Patriots have 10 draft picks and six undrafted free agents in camp. Seven of the 16 rookies have earned varying degrees of practice reps with the starters, and two more could be core special teamers, including long snapper Joe Cardona.
It’s a testament to the group’s talent and work ethic, as coach Bill Belichick doesn’t reward anyone with quality playing time unless it’s earned. But there is also an element of need due to offseason departures and injuries.
“It’s a great group of guys. Everyone is working hard,” fourth-rounder Tre’ Jackson said. “I feel like everyone came in with their nose down. Everyone is trying to take their coaching techniques, learn the playbook, keep learning the playbook and come out every day to get better.”
Jackson looks to be a lock as the starting right guard due to a solid level of power and consistency with his string of performances. Left guard Shaq Mason has been dominant in spurts while attempting to take advantage of Ryan Wendell’s absence, but that competition will be a doozy when the veteran recovers from his offseason shoulder surgery.
First-rounder Malcom Brown, who missed yesterday’s practice with a minor left ankle injury, got more snaps with the starters in recent days and certainly has an opportunity to land a prominent role in the regular season, either as a starter or top rotational backup. Because of his 6-foot-2, 320-pound frame, Brown has been targeted with double teams in practice, so he hasn’t been overly disruptive yet. Then again, the nature of the position calls for him to help others make plays.
“Everybody is competing out here,” the soft-spoken Texas product said. “Just working, that’s all I can really say.”
Fourth-rounder Trey Flowers won’t start over defensive ends Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich or Jabaal Sheard, but Arkansas product has rotated alongside the starters since the first practice of camp. That’s indicative of a rookie who has impressed the coaching staff with his learning ability, but Flowers has been physically impressive in one-on-ones and batted down a Jimmy Garoppolo screen pass in 11-on-11 work Thursday.
Geneo Grissom, a third-rounder, hasn’t been as noticeable as Flowers, but he did strip James White on Friday in a running drill.
While the rookies’ heads spin due to information overload and even a dose of uncertainty, it’s a confidence booster to make a play or two against a veteran.
“You get that confidence in your skill and talent level, but the main thing is to not get too overzealous or too down on yourself with a good play or bad play,” Flowers said. “You want to stay in the middle, stay in between having confidence in yourself but not being conceited. Just come out here and work hard to perfect my craft each and every day and stay levelheaded.”
Safety Jordan Richards has done well to put some pressure on Patrick Chung, but the second-rounder from Stanford will at least earn some reps in three-safety sets if he can’t pass the veteran on the depth chart. Richards intercepted Garoppolo’s first pass of camp and broke up a potential touchdown pass to tight end Jimmay Mundine yesterday.
The safety rotations could change on a weekly basis during the season, but credit Roberts for playing well enough to force Bill Belichick’s hand for more playing time.
“It’s not where do I fit in terms of the scheme or here or there,” Richards said. “It’s trying to be the best football player I can be.”
Seventh-rounder Darryl Roberts leads the Pats in camp with six pass breakups, including one yesterday against wide receiver Josh Boyce, but the cornerback remains in a battle for the fourth spot on the depth chart with veterans Bradley Fletcher and Robert McClain. Roberts won’t catch Malcolm Butler or Logan Ryan, but he could still push Tarell Brown.
Sixth-rounder Matt Wells has worked as a core special teamer before missing the past couple practices with an undisclosed injury, so he’ll have a role with Cardona with coach Joe Judge’s unit. Undrafted center David Andrews has also been the backup and rotated with the starters yesterday in Bryan Stork’s absence.
The Patriots figure to get more out of their draft picks this year than in 2014 when six rookies started 20 total games, including the playoffs. Stork started 13 games, and no one else started more than two, so their contributions were somewhat limited.
The 2015 class is close, which is typical for rookies, and they’ve pushed one another to put in extra reps after practice and study more when they leave Gillette Stadium for the confines of their training camp hotel.
“It depends how good you want to be,” Jackson said. “If it’s exhausting to you, you don’t want to be that much better. You’ll find a way to work as hard as you can to get better.”
This businesslike group has its priorities in order, and it’s paying off on the field.
“If you want to be great,” Flowers said, “those are the things you’ve got to do to do that.”
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