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2016 NFL Draft: 6 reasons why Patriots fans should be excited

By Connor Fulton

Jan 3, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on from the sideline during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on from the sideline during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nate Washington Patriots
Nov 16, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nate Washington (85) reacts as he walks off the field after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Texans won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Injection of youth into roster

No doubt, it has been an entertaining and efficient offseason for the Patriots. But it is also true that they have increased the average age of their roster through the acquisition of over a dozen veterans.

In fact, six of the Patriots’ offseason additions are 29 years of age or older. This group includes Martellus Bennett, Donald Brown, Terrance Knighton, Markus Kuhn, Chris Long and Nate Washington.

Reordering WR depth chart after Nate Washington signing

It will be nice to see an injection of youth into the Patriots’ roster during the 2016 NFL Draft. While it’s exciting to see a veteran like Bennett join the Patriots because we know what he can do in the NFL, it’s just as fun to wonder what a promising prospect will accomplish for the Patriots because we don’t know what he can do in the NFL.

And of course, the key to long-term roster health is building through the draft.

Next: 4. Avenging loss of first round pick

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