Way too early offensive roster projections for the 2020 season

(bostonherald.com)

It is officially that time of year where I have decided to attempt to do the impossible and guess the mindset and strategy of Bill Belichick.



In this installment, I will be giving my far too early depth chart projections for the Patriots offense for the coming season which will be based on last years production and my own wild theories. The 2020 team had quite the turnover from last season, including the departure of you know who, so this 2020 projection could potentially be the shape of the franchise moving forward.

Your 2020 offense:

QB: Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer

RB: Sony Michel, James White, Brandon Bolden, Damien Harris

WR: N'Keal Harry, Damiere Byrd

WR 2: Julian Edelman, Jakobi Meyers

WR 3: Mohamed Sanu, Marqise Lee, Matthew Slater

TE: Matt LaCosse, Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene

LT: Isaiah Wynn

LG: Joe Thuney

C: David Andrews

RG: Shaq Mason

RT: Marcus Cannon

There aren't too many shockers here, as the Patriots were able to maintain most of their core while bringing in some good talent via the draft and free agency.

As you saw right away, I have Stidham beating out Brian Hoyer for the starting job as I feel that New England will give Stidham every possible chance to succeed this year, and he will be mentored and helped along the way with the veteran Hoyer.

For the running backs, you have probably noticed that Rex Burkhead is no longer here. I love Rex and the things he has been able to do for the franchise, but by investing a 3rd round pick in Damien Harris in last years draft, Bill obviously sees something in the young back and we will likely find out by training camp what their plans are with Harris. If he balls out in camp and they like what they see, Harris should gain a large bump in his production has he was hardly used at all last year.

The WR group for 2020 easily has the most upside to them, but will rely heavily on their chemistry with the new quarterback. While they were involved in 2019, N'Keal Harry and Mohamed Sanu both suffered injuries that kept them from their true potential, so I feel that a healthy Sanu, Harry and Jules can be a legit offensive force this season.

The Pats also signed Damiere Byrd from Arizona and Marqise Lee from Jacksonville during free agency, both of which have a huge upside for deep and slot threats respectively.

Tight ends were a point of emphasis this offseason, as 2 of the 3 roster spots are rookies, so we shall see if they bring back the dual tight end threat, or keep them in the trenches in helping the running game.

The offensive line remains one of the best in the league, but it does have its question marks. New England did place the franchise tag on Joe Thuney, but there is always a trading potential if an extension is not reached. David Andrews has been cleared to play, but missing all of last season with blood clots in the lungs is something that will certainly need to be monitored.

So there's my offensive roster projections for the 2020 season, leave them comments below and stay tuned for the defensive projections coming later this week!

Follow Tommy on Twitter-@Tommy_Quigley