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Strongest and weakest positional groups on Patriots ’22 roster

By Lou Scataglia

Jan 15, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) runs after a catch in the third quarter of the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) runs after a catch in the third quarter of the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New England Patriots’ initial 53-man roster has some strong and weaker positional groups. Which groups are great, and which need some work?  No matter how talented or not a team is in the NFL, they’ll each have position groups that are rock solid, or some that need some work.  The Patriots are no different.

There are a few positions on their roster that stick out above the rest, and some that might need another player or two added before the early or early on.  Which positional groups have the Patriots assembled that are solid and hardly need tweaking, and which could still use some work?

Strong and weak parts of the Patriots initial 2022 roster

Strong: Wide receiver

I do think the Patriots’ wide receiving group is solid and one of the deepest in the entire NFL.  Sure, they don’t have a true gamebreaker at the position, but they have the absolute next best thing, which is quality depth.  Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker, and Jakobi Meyers aren’t the sexiest names in the NFL at this position, but each player brings a unique skillset to the team, and all four have, at one point in their careers, accumulated at least 800 receiving yards in a season.

I believe that at any point during the season, we could see any of these four players breakout for a massive game.  Mac Jones has a nice grouping of receivers to throw to, and I don’t anticipate that they’ll be a reason why he doesn’t take a leap in year two.

Could use some work: Cornerback

The Patriots’ cornerback room is largely inexperienced.  Two rookies, Jack Jones and Marcus Jones made the team, Shaun Wade is a second year player, and Myles Bryant is in his third year.  Jonathan Jones is solid, as is Jalen Mills, but I’m not super encouraged that the this unit can adequately limit opposing passing offenses in the loaded AFC.

Perhaps the Patriots should consider adding a veteran body to this unit if they have even the slightest concern that the unit can’t handle the schedule in 2022.

Strong: Offensive line

Even though the offensive line seems to have had a less than ideal offseason, I do like the unit on paper.  Most teams can’t say they have four solid offensive linemen like the Patriots do.  Trent Brown, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, and Isaiah Wynn highlight what again could be one of the better units in the NFL.

Mac Jones’ jersey stayed mostly clean in 2021, and if this unit can build on last season, they’ll be a ton of room for the offense to grow.  Isaiah Wynn could still be traded, but if the Patriots can’t find a suitor, he’ll likely stay in the starting lineup at right tackle.

All in all, though, the New England Patriots truly have a solid roster.  They may not have a ton of firepower, but they have above average depth and some nice foundational players.

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