New England Patriots: 5 Second-year Players who Need to Step-up in 2016
By Hal Bent
The New England Patriots 2015 season ended with them falling a game short of the Super Bowl after they fell to the Denver Broncos. The Patriots may have fallen short in their quest to return to the big game, but their 2015 season was impressive because of the high number of injuries the team had to overcome. With 18 players on injured reserve by the end of the season and an injury list topping 20 players, the roster depth allowed the Patriots to get within a two-point conversion of heading to overtime on the road in the AFC Championship game.
As always, the Patriots built that depth through various ways. New England built through free agency (defensive end Jabaal Sheard), trades (defensive tackle Akiem Hicks), the draft (defensive tackle Malcom Brown), undrafted free agents (running back Brandon Bolden), and the scrap heap (wide receiver/kick returner Keshawn Martin). The influx of talent through various channels has allowed the team to remain successful over the past decade-and-a-half.
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One constant in New England has been the coaching-up of young talent. While rookies often do not have an instant impact, the improvement from their rookie season to their second year in New England is often where players begin to make their mark. Having a full offseason in the strength and conditioning program, full immersion into the playbook, and having fully adjusted to speed of the game in the NFL.
In 2016 the Patriots have a number of players who will be counted upon to contribute in their second season. Whether the player was drafted or was an undrafted free agent, much like second-year cornerback Malcolm Butler last year, the New England coaching staff is looking for a second-year player to take the next step and be a contributor next year.
Click through the slideshow to see five second-year players who are candidates to take a huge step forward and contribute in 2016.
Next: Second-year cornerback Darryl Roberts