Musket Fire
FanSided

6 dark horse candidates to make New England Patriots roster

By Connor Fulton

Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36) evades Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36) evades Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Anthony Johnson Patriots roster
Dec 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (76) and Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller (26) walk to the field before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Patriots roster dark horse #4 – Anthony Johnson

Against the Chicago Bears a few weeks back, Johnson put on the best game of his underachieving NFL career, and his chances of making the final roster immediately skyrocketed as a result. After two poor seasons in the league since entering the NFL as a former LSU star, Johnson lost 50 pounds this offseason and is playing with renewed focus as a 275-pound defensive lineman. The Pats like Johnson because he can be used on the outside and the inside, and he generates no shortage of power regardless of where he lines up.

3 ripple effects of Pats trading for Barkevious Mingo

Additionally, it should be noted that Johnson had been outperforming offseason signee Terrance Knighton all preseason. It’s no coincidence that Knighton was cut before Johnson. Not that the too can be compared all that easily, as Knighton weighs a full 75 pounds more than Johnson, but the fact remains that the Patriots valued Johnson as a defensive lineman more than Knighton.

Next: Dark horse #5 - Elandon Roberts

Home/Patriots News