With all the moves over the last 10 days, I thought it would be interesting (to me, at least) to look at the Pats depth chart, position by position. I'll keep it updated as more changes happen.
2020 listing refers to the end of the season. 2021 ranking, where noted, is my opinion.
I've moved all the guys who seem to be ST-only guys (e.g. Slater, Bethel, Davis) to their own category along with the usual ST specialists.
QB:
2020 -- (3) Newton, Stidham, Hoyer
2021 -- (2) Newton, Stidham.
Comments/Needs: I expect we will see at least one more, and likely two more added before training camp, a vet and a rookie to compete with Newton (to start) and with Stidham (to backup). I could see the final 53 with either 2 QBs or 3.
RB:
2020 -- (5/6) Harris, White, Michel, Taylor, Johnson, Burkhead (IR)
2021 -- (6) Harris, Michel, Taylor, Johnson, Bolden, Vitale
Comments/Needs: They likely need to bring in someone toat least compete to fill the 3rd-down, pass-catching role. I doubt that's White (I think he goes to TB). I wouldn't be surprised to see Burkhead re-signed to a vet min deal, with playing time incentives, and a likely PUP designation. Vitale and Johnson will likely copter for one FB spot. I wouldn't be sad if nothing else changes here from the group listed.
EDIT (3/18): Apparently Johnson was an exclusive rights FA, but they re-signed him anyway. No change to the chart, just a bit of bookkeeping.
WR:
2020 -- (5/6) Byrd, Meyers, Harry, Olszewski, Moncrief, Edelman (IR)
2021 -- (6) Agholor, Bourne, Meyers, Edelman, Harry, Lee, Olszewski (plus a bunch of PS/futures types)
Comments/Needs: Does Edelman or Harris get traded? Still room to upgrade, but clearly better than last year. I wonder if Byrd gets a deal similar to last year's. I'm tempted to move Gunner to the ST grouping, as he might be a WRINO, like Slater.
EDIT (3/18): Lee has been "terminated" (sounds worse than released, hmmm?).
TE:
2020 -- (2/3) Asiasi, Keene, Izzo (IR)
2021 -- (5) Henry, Smith, Asiasi, Keene, Izzo, LaCosse
Comments/Needs: At least two of the latter 4 are gone next year, and possibly three, if the Pats bring in another vet or rookie. I'd still like to see them bring in a Dwayne Allen-type road-grader. But assuming one or both of Asiasi/Keene can make the proverbial 2nd-year jump, then this position is notably improved.
EDIT (3/16) to add Henry. I'll leave my previous comments, as they seem fairly prescient. I imagine BB was confirming the deal with Henry while I was typing.
EDIT (3/18): Reflecting trade of Izzo to HOU.
OL:
2020 -- (9/11) Eluemenor, Thuney, Andrews, Mason, Onwenu, Herron, Ferentz, Cunningham, Martin (who?!!), Wynn (IR), Cajuste (IR)
2021 -- (9) Wynn, Onwenu, Mason, Brown, Herron, Cunningham, Cajuste, Karras, Andrews
Comments/Needs: Losing Thuney hurts and obviously a gaping hole at center, both starter and backup. Re-sign Andrews and all will be good here as I feel confident they can find some 3rd day draft picks to fill in the backup IOL. But until starting center is solved, this line is incomplete.
EDIT (3/17): Added Karras. Looking like Andrews won't be back.
EDIT (3/18): So happy to cross out my edit above to note that Andrews is back!
DL:
2020 -- (8/10) Winovich, Guy, Cowart, Simon, Wise, Butler, Bower, Spence, Davis (IR), Allen (IR)
2021 -- (6) Wino, Godchaux, Anderson, Wise, Davis, Allen, Adams
Comments/Needs: Butler and Guy remain unsigned free agents. I imagine one, but not both, get re-signed. I would expect we will see some Day 2 and/or Day 3 draft capital used here.
EDIT (3/18): Allen failed his physical so he's gone. Added Adams.
EDIT (3/19): Butler is off the possible returnee list.
LB:
2020 -- (5) Bentley, Hall, Uche, Jennings, Calhoun
2021 -- (8) Hightower, Judon, Bentley, Hall, Uche, Jennings, Van Noy, McMillan
Comments/Needs: High and Judon make for a HUGE upgrade here, pushing everyone else down a notch. Hall impressed me more than Bentley in the middle last year. I wonder if we might see High moved to OLB with Hall in the middle. I'd feel a lot better about their run D if we have Judon and High manning the two edges.
EDIT: So happy to add KVN back to the mix here. Assuming they run a 4-3, they will have a completely new starting LB corps compared to last year, without losing anyone. So last year's starters are this year's backups.
EDIT (3/19): Added McMillan
CB:
2020 -- (5/6) Jackson, JMac, Jones, Bryant, Williams, Gilmore (IR)
2021 -- (5) Gilmore, Mills, Jones, Bryant, Williams
Comments/Needs: Will JCJ get re-signed? Will Gilmore get extended or traded? Have we seen the last of JMac chasing guys? Will Williams play his way into a rotational spot? Did Bryant show us the next UDFA to starting CB or has he reached his ceiling? I expect we will see a CB drafted here on Day 3.
Safety:
2020 -- (4) DMac, Phillips, Dugger, Brooks
2021 -- (3) DMac, Phillips, Dugger, Chung
Comments/Needs: Will DMac get extended? Let's hope a year off has Chung fully healed up, and raring to go. I expect we will see a rookie drafted here on Day 3.
EDIT (3/18): Chung retires. I probably should move one of the CB's, be that Mills or Bryant or Williams over here. But I'll leave it as is for now.
ST:
2020 -- (6) Folk, Bailey, Cardona, Slater, Bethel, Davis
2021 -- (6) Folk, Bailey, Cardona, Slater, Bethel, Davis
Comments/Needs: Folk and Davis remain unsigned; I expect Folk (definitely) and Davis (probably) will get re-signed. Otherwise I don't see much happening here, other than Rohrwasser competing in camp.
EDIT (3/17): Davis re-signed (as expected).
EDIT (3/17): Folk re-signed (as expected).