Musket Fire
FanSided

Robert Kraft likes the Patriots’ roster depth

By Connor Fulton

May 28, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft before a match against the Seattle Sounders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft before a match against the Seattle Sounders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After the Myra Kraft Community MVP awards on Thursday, Robert Kraft made a few brief remarks, dodging Deflategate-loaded questions. As noted by Mike Reiss of ESPN, Kraft is content with the burgeoning depth of the Patriots’ roster over the offseason:

"I like this group of players that has come in. We have the OTAs, we have [mandatory] camp next week, and there is a great spirit in the locker room. I think we have great depth and I’m very excited about the upcoming season."

Kraft couldn’t be more right. The Patriots’ roster depth has grown across the board.

Let’s start at the top, why don’t we. With promising rookie Jacoby Brissett now in the fold behind third-year man Jimmy Garoppolo, the Patriots not only have a good backup for when Tom Brady is suspended, but also they have better competition for the post-Brady quarterback era.

32 offseason additions, 32 interesting facts

At running back, the introduction of D.J. Foster into the backfield adds another layer to training camp competition. Now, James White will have to work that much harder to retain his roster spot.

Pass catching depth has been bolstered by the additions of Martellus Bennett, Chris Hogan, Nate Washington, Malcolm Mitchell and Devin Lucien. At least two of those newcomers will make the team and factor into the aerial attack.

These 30 players will definitely make the final roster

The interior offensive line, which was exposed by an injury bug last year, has received an influx of talent in the form of Jonathan Cooper and draft picks Joe Thuney and Ted Karras.

On the other side of the ball, the Patriots stayed ahead of the curve at cornerback by loading up on rookies. Initial draft pick Cyrus Jones heads a rookie group that also includes undrafted signings Jonathan Jones, Cre’von Leblanc and V’Angelo Bentley.

Power ranking offseason cornerback additions

The defensive line may have lost a few pieces, but Chris Long, Vincent Valentine, Frank Kearse and Terrance Knighton lead a group of offseason additions and the front seven shouldn’t lose a step.

Of course, we’ve just talked about offseason additions translating into better depth. There are plenty of returning Patriots who are evidence of Kraft’s words, from Darryl Roberts to Geneo Grissom and Joey Iosefa to Chris Harper.

Next: 10 Best Names on 90-Man Roster

It’s hard to not be excited about the Patriots right now.

Home/Patriots News