Patriots discussion: 2017 free agents, D.J. Foster
"Hal Bent – The New England Patriots imported a number of veterans on offense via free agency including wide receivers Nate Washington and Chris Hogan, running back Donald Brown, and tight ends Martellus Bennett and Clay Harbor. Which of these five will have the most production in 2016? Who will be the surprise contributor? Who does not even make the roster?"
Kirk von Kreisler – I’m incredibly excited to see Martellus Bennett’s production in the high-powered Patriots offense. He’s the obvious choice for the veteran acquisition with the most production in 2016 as he will see a ton of time and proves to be a matchup threat to small cornerbacks and slow linebackers.
This Patriots offense has the potential to be one of their best ever. As for the surprise contributor, it could very well be veteran linebacker Shea McClellin. Many wrote off this signing, but if anyone can transform the former first-round pick’s career, it’s Bill Belichick. McClellin has the versatility to play all over the front seven and could see some playing time as the third linebacker behind Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins has yet to be solidified. Finally, for the most likely to not make the roster, I have two names: Donald Brown and Clay Harbor. Brown’s case is unfortunate due to the crowded Patriots’ backfield. Brown could possibly slip onto the 53-man roster, however, it seems unlikely at this point. In addition, Harbor was a signing that I was originally excited about, however, upon further review, Harbor may just be a camp body behind Rob Gronkowski, Bennett, and Michael Williams, who provides strong blocking. Harbor has been rumoured to the Patriots for a while, but we might be seeing another experiment like Fred Davis last summer.
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Andre Menice – Other than the obvious choice of Martellus Bennett, I am going to go out on a limb and say Clay Harbor. I think he is a dark horse to make a real contribution and I believe Coach Belichick has something specially designed for Harbor. I can see him filling the familiar H-back role, catching short, 2-4 yard passes and running to pick up first downs, something the offense sorely lacked once Dion Lewis went down last year. The person I most believe won’t be on the opening day roster is probably Donald Brown. I have never been impressed with him since his days in Indy where he averaged less than 4.0 ypc most season to the last couple years where he couldn’t even find his way onto the field in San Diego, where their backfield had no sure fire number one workhorse.
Connor Fulton – Not to sound like a broken record, but Bennett will take the cake out of this group in terms of production. The odds are just so in his favor as a 6-foot-6 partner for Gronk it’s hard to bet against Bennett in that category.
Washington will be the surprise contributor out of this group. You can bet that Tom Brady will like having an older guy to throw to; having been in the league since 2006, Washington is a pro’s pro, a savvy veteran with solid route running ability. Brady and Washington should be on the same page from an X’s and O’s perspective.
Considering the crowded running back group of LeGarrette Blount, Dion Lewis, James White and Brandon Bolden (with D.J. Foster knocking on the door), Brown will get cut. He’s just not the same player now that he was in Indy a few years ago.
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