Patriots: 3 players who won’t be on roster after 2020 season

2. Mohamed Sanu

Do Patriots fans really see a scenario in which Mohamed Sanu is re-signed?

When the Patriots went out and acquired Mohamed Sanu for a second-round pick from the Atlanta Falcons, they thought they were getting Tom Brady another potent weapon that would end the criticism regarding a lack of firepower on offense after the retirement of Rob Gronkowski.

But all they got was a hobbled Sanu, who caught just 26 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown in eight games with New England. He virtually did nothing to improve the offense, which showed down the stretch when the team completely blew it against the Miami Dolphins and then got stomped by the Tennessee Titans in the wild card round.

Honestly, if the Patriots didn’t spend such a high draft pick to acquire Sanu, you’d have to think they would’ve cut him and his $6.5 million salary loose this offseason (considering it wouldn’t have cost them a penny). But Sanu will be back with his surgically-repaired ankle and a new quarterback in Cam Newton.

He’ll need a wildly impressive year to get another contract offer from the Patriots. Then again, if he has an outstanding campaign, he’ll likely price himself out of New England. There’s just no viable scenario in which he returns.