New England Patriots: Top Four Positional Battles To Watch

1. Offensive Guard

I don’t think the Patriots will go into training camp with Josh Kline, Shaq Mason, and Tre’ Jackson as the only viable options for the left guard spot, so I believe there is a very good chance Dan Connolly will be back with the team sooner or later. If he does come back, that will set up a nice little competition going into training camp.

The way I see it, Jackson is the top candidate to take over the starting job right now, but if Connolly returns, the two of them will battle it out to see who will help protect Tom Brady’s blindside in 2015. Jackson was a fourth round selection, however in the eyes of many draft experts, he was a second round talent who had some medical issues that had to be taken care of. Jackson is more of a mauler than a finesse player, but I think that is exactly what the Patriots need. Taking pressure off of Brady’s right arm will make this offense even more dangerous, and the best way you can do that, is by making your offensive line a big, mean, mauling machine.

I hope Jackson can prove that he has what it takes to start in this league over the summer, because if the Pats can shore up that left guard spot, this offense will be hysterically dangerous.

Next: No More Revis...Who Will Step Up?