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Patriots Training Camp Storylines

By Kirk von Kreisler

Jun 7, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Ball boys prepare balls for New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7), quarterback Tom Brady (12) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during mini camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Ball boys prepare balls for New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7), quarterback Tom Brady (12) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during mini camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 20, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Aaron Dobson (17) dives for an extra yard during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Patriots beat the Bills 40-32. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Aaron Dobson (17) dives for an extra yard during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Patriots beat the Bills 40-32. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back and Wide Receiver Depth

The injury bug plagued New England far too often last season. The area where it hit the most? Offensive skill positions. Brady’s most reliable target, Julian Edelman, missed seven games with a broken foot, breakout running back Dion Lewis suffered a torn ACL, and bruising back LeGarrette Blount ended the season the the injured reserve with a hip injury.

Coming into the 2016 training camp, not many spots on the roster are guaranteed. Keshawn Martin, Nate Washington, Aaron Dobson, and others are fighting for the final spots on the receiver depth chart. Everyone brings something different and the battle to be on the 53-man roster will be intense. The Patriots are in a tough position deciding between Martin’s versatility, Washington’s experience and reliability, and Dobson’s potential (maybe?).

At the running back position, hardly anyone has an idea for. It’s a consensus that Lewis is a roster “lock,” but, beyond that, spots are open for the taking. Blount seems to be a near-lock due to the fact that he is the only true “big back” on the Patriots’ roster; although, Rich Hill of Pats Pulpit discussed an interesting idea that, when looking at contract details and guaranteed money, Donald Brown may beat out Blount or even special teams ace Brandon Bolden.

The skills positions will be a must-watch at training camp. The star power is there to guide this Patriots offense to a historic level, but the depth will need to be developed further to ensure that this offense will roll throughout the season.

Next: The 2015 Patriots' Primary Concern

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