Three Patriots rookies getting off to a rough start
However, the first three are names that most Patriots fans care more about as Ebert is most likely headed to the practice squad if anything (seventh round wide receiver, started camp on the PUP list.)
We'll look at reports from camp on those top three in the order that they were drafted.
Tavon Wilson (2nd round) - It's not to say that he has been struggling, but it's just he hasn't made an impact. A second round pick that left Mel Kiper Jr. speechless on national TV because he had no idea who he was, Wilson needs to prove he was drafted that high for a reason. So far, it'd be hard to find any reports that say he's done just that. Wilson is third on the depth chart it appears behind Patrick Chung and Steve Gregory. ESPNBoston's Mike Reiss recently described Wilson's performance so far at camp as "inconclusive".
Obviously there's still plenty of time, and pre-season games, to get a better view of what Wilson can do. And just because the depth chart looks a certain way the first week of camp, doesn't mean it will look the same the next, or even mid-season.
Nate Ebner (6th round) - Ebner can maybe be considered Belichick's project of the year, being a former Rugby star and walk on football player for Ohio State. In football, Ebner made his name on special teams, where obviously his rugby skills help out a lot.
Die-hard Patriots fans are very excited about the prospects of Ebner being the second coming of Larry Izzo for the Patriots special teams. Haven't seen much of Ebner? Check out these videos that should get you excited.
Rugby highlights | Ebner's story
Ebner hasn't practiced yet after suffering an undisclosed injury in OTAs. We haven't gotten a chance to see him, and neither have the coaches. That doesn't bode well for Ebner. As Belichick said in a recent Sirus NFL radio interview, with the new rules forcing less practices, its harder to evaluate players when they miss time due to injury.
Still, while it's a rough start for him. Ebner will definitely still get his shot.
“Physically, he has the skill-set to have a chance to do what he did in college and to compete here,” said special teams coach Scott O’Brien in the Herald.“That opportunity is going to present itself, but as far as being a skill guy, to us, it’s really too early to tell because with all of our young players, we’re starting with them with a position at every phase so they can just get acclimated to terminology, techniques, before you can even advance. What we always try to do is to put our players in positions, no matter what it is."
Alfonzo Dennard (7th round) - While Wilson was seen as the ultimate reach, Dennard was seen as the ultimate value pick. Originally projected to be one of the top cornerbacks taken in the draft, with as high as a second round grade, Dennard fell all the way to the seventh due to scuffle at a bar just before the draft. It was reported that he punched a cop.
A lot of people had Dennard pencilled in as making the team, pretty rare for a seventh round pick. The Nebraska product has had a Jekyll and Hyde training camp so far, according to ESPNBoston. He's looked great on some plays, but poor on others. Of course, going up against an offense as powerful as the Patriots could play a factor into that.
Furthermore, Dennard hasn't practiced since the second day of camp after suffering a hamstring injury. Like Ebner, the more time a player misses the harder it will be to evaluate him. For Dennard's sake, you have to hope he returns soon, there's a lot of competition at that position. And while Dennard might not be your typical seventh round pick, he can be cut just as easily as your typical seventh rounder.
