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Expectations of Patriots’ fourth-year players

By Connor Fulton

Sep 27, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) fumbles the ball forward as he is hit by New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) fumbles the ball forward as he is hit by New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /
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Joe Vellano Patriots
Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tackle Joe Vellano (72) against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Joe Vellano (2013 undrafted)

2013 stats: 16 games (eight starts), 59 combined tackles, two sacks, forced fumble, pass defended

2014 stats: five games (one start), seven combined tackles, sack

2015 stats: practice squad

Vellano saw a ton of action as a rookie during the Patriots’ injury woes at the defensive tackle position in 2013. Bill Belichick has since added more muscle and star power to the position by signing Alan Branch in 2014, drafting Malcom Brown in 2015 and signing Terrance Knighton this offseason.

5 positions Patriots will address in 2016 NFL Draft

Look, Vellano isn’t about to contend for the Pro Bowl by any stretch of the imagination. But he is a hard worker in the Patriots’ system, enough so for the team to sign Vellano to a futures contract this past January.

2016 expectations: four games (one start), six combined tackles

It’s going to be another sleepy year for Vellano. That the Patriots signed Vellano to that futures deal earlier this offseason indicates they probably won’t cut him for good, but they aren’t going to activate him from the practice squad unless injuries pile up on the interior of the defensive line.

Next: 2. Josh Kline

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