Patriots Depth Chart Reset: New starters at receiver, cornerback

The New England Patriots should have a rookie first-round pick atop their depth chart for the third straight season. Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez is definitely one of the Patriots' most talented cornerbacks, and they need his 6-foot-1, 197-pound frame on defense to combine with some combination of Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones and Marcus Jones. Let's […]

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Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots should have a rookie first-round pick atop their depth chart for the third straight season.

Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez is definitely one of the Patriots' most talented cornerbacks, and they need his 6-foot-1, 197-pound frame on defense to combine with some combination of Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones and Marcus Jones.

Let's take a look at the Patriots' post-draft depth chart. They appear to have new starters at wide receiver, right tackle and cornerback.

Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2023 undrafted free agents.

PositionStarterReserve

Quarterback

Mac Jones

Bailey Zappe
Trace McSorely
Malik Cunningham**

Running back

Rhamondre Stevenson

James Robinson
Ty Montgomery
Pierre Strong
Kevin Harris
J.J. Taylor

Wide receiver

JuJu Smith-Schuster
DeVante Parker
Tyquan Thornton

Kendrick Bourne
Marcus Jones
Raleigh Webb
Kayshon Boutte*
Demario Douglas*
Lynn Bowden
Tre Nixon

Tight end

Hunter Henry

Mike Gesicki
Matt Sokol
Scotty Washington
Johnny Lumpkin**

Offensive line

LT Trent Brown
LG Cole Strange
C David Andrews
RG Michael Onwenu
RT Riley Reiff

OT Calvin Anderson
C Jake Andrews*
G Sity Sow
G Atonio Mafi*
OT Conor McDermott
C/G James Ferentz
OT Yodny Cajuste
G Chasen Hines
OT Andrew Stueber
C Kody Russey
G Bill Murray

Defensive line

Davon Godchaux
Lawrence Guy

Christian Barmore
Daniel Ekuale
Carl Davis
Sam Roberts
Jeremiah Pharms

Edge defender

Matthew Judon
Deatrich Wise

Josh Uche
Keion White*
Anfernee Jennings
Ronnie Perkins
DaMarcus Mitchell

Linebacker

Ja’Whaun Bentley

Jahlani Tavai
Marte Mapu*
Mack Wilson
Raekwon McMillan
Chris Board
Calvin Munson
Olakunle Fatukasi
Terez Hall
Jourdan Heilig**

Cornerback

Jonathan Jones
Jack Jones
Christian Gonzalez

Marcus Jones
Myles Bryant
Ameer Speed*
Isaiah Bolden*
Shaun Wade
Quandre Mosely
Rodney Randle

Safety

Kyle Dugger
Adrian Phillips
Jabrill Peppers

Jalen Mills
Joshuah Bledsoe
Brad Hawkins

Kicker

Chad Ryland*

Nick Folk

Punter

Bryce Baringer*

Corliss Waitman

Long snapper

Joe Cardona

Tucker Addington

Kick returner

Marcus Jones

Pierre Strong

Punt returner

Marcus Jones

Myles Bryant

Patriots projected depth chart

Some takeaways:

  • The depth at running back is a bit shallow behind Stevenson. There are still some talented backs available in free agency to sign like Ezekiel Elliott, Kareem Hunt, Leonard Fournette, Darrell Henderson, Myles Gaskin, Darrel Williams, Kenyan Drake and Melvin Gordon.
  • It will be interesting to see who gets more snaps between Thornton and Bourne at wide receiver and how all of those players fit into Bill O’Brien’s new offense.

  • The Patriots could definitely use more tight end insurance in case something happens to Henry or Gesicki. Players like Geoff Swaim, Cameron Brate and Nick Vannett are still available.

  • It was surprising to see the Patriots not draft an offensive tackle, but they also have enough current depth in Anderson, McDermott, Cajuste and Stueber.

  • It would be nice to see Barmore take on a bigger, more impactful role in 2023.

  • Tavai would probably slot into the other starting linebacker spot. The Patriots just prefer to have bigger safeties on the field.

  • We see just one starting spot for Jack Jones and Marcus Jones. If Jack Jones starts, Jonathan Jones goes to the slot. If Marcus Jones starts, then Jonathan Jones plays outside.

  • Mills is a real wild card this summer. He could be a starter or left off the roster entirely.

  • We’re going with the youth movement at kicker and punter.

Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports