Patriots: 5 players who will enter training camp on roster bubble
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 17: Terrence Brooks #25 of the New England Patriots reacts after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 17, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 17: Terrence Brooks #25 of the New England Patriots reacts after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 17, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/32eeac27070dbc5be9b9a1b3407c0b488b22235982b1595377caa4d2bcabe284.jpg)
Ryan Izzo
A former seventh-round draft pick out of Florida State, Ryan Izzo has done little to stand out at the tight end position for the Patriots over the past two seasons.
He missed his entire rookie year and made just six appearances in 2019 for the team — despite the obvious need for a reliable TE to step up in the void filled by Rob Gronkowski’s retirement and Dwayne Allen’s departure in free agency.
Izzo was already a candidate to open up this year’s training camp on the roster bubble back at the end of last season, but the events of this past spring have only further threatened his chances at sticking around this fall. Belichick spent back-to-back third round draft selections on TEs back in April, selecting UCLA tight end Devin Asiasi No. 91 overall and Virginia Tech tight end Dalton Keene No. 101 overall.
While it’s true that rookie tight ends typically struggle to adjust to the professional level more than rookies at some other positions, Izzo must know that his spot on the roster is endangered. As if it wasn’t enough having to fend off Asiasi and Keene this summer, he’ll also find competition from the next player on our list: fellow tight end Matt LaCosse.