The New England Patriots could end up cutting any of these five players in 2020.
The New England Patriots enter the 2020 NFL season as perhaps the most important of Bill Belichick’s tenure with the franchise. With the loss of Tom Brady at quarterback, the Patriots are losing the face of the organization and the personification of the Patriot Way.
The team needs to fill his void along with losses on the defensive side of the ball. The Patriots will enter 2020 also looking to improve at various weak spots on the roster while ushering in a new era of younger players who can inherit leadership roles in the future.
Although the Patriots have been limited by their salary cap, they have still brought in enough players to create some battles at various positions. The Patriots have several players who will enter training camp fighting for their roster spot. Here are five players who could see themselves cut before the season begins.
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5. Rex Burkhead, RB
Rex Burkhead is entering his fourth season with the Patriots and he seems to be well regarded by coaches and teammates. The Patriots tend to like to split snaps between two to four running backs so if he does make the roster, Burkhead would definitely find a roll. However, he will be 30 years old when the season starts and he has had durability concerns throughout his tenure with the Patriots.
The recent foot surgery by Sony Michel should make it easier for Burkhead to make the roster, but if the team is still worried about Burkhead’s injury history they may decide to move on. They could save some money on the salary cap and they still have Damien Harris waiting in the wings along with Brandon Bolden as Michel insurance.
4. Derek Rivers, DE
Derek Rivers was a third-round pick by the Patriots back in 2017. He has flashed potential at a couple of training camps, but right now he has to be considered a bust. In his first two seasons, Rivers has only appeared in six games due to injuries.
With additions since Rivers was drafted, the Patriots are poised to move onto the fresher blood and pass on the potential they have seen from Rivers. One thing Bill Belichick values more than most others is dependability and Rivers has not offered any to start his career.
3. Ryan Izzo, TE
Ryan Izzo is likely the odd man out after the Patriots spent two draft picks on tight ends in the most recent draft. Izzo was a seventh-round pick for the Patriots in the 2018 draft and he has been fine but has not shown any explosiveness in the passing game.
Izzo’s career path out of college was as a blocking tight end, but he struggled in the running game last season. Unless the Patriots decide to keep four tight ends, they may decide to keep Matt LaCosse as a bit of a veteran leader for rookies Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene instead of keeping the younger and more affordable Izzo.
Belichick tends to lean towards more of a veteran presence rather than just cost savings in these scenarios.
2. Deatrich Wise Jr., DL
Deatrich Wise Jr. seems to be a player who is not a complete match for the team’s defensive system. He does not offer the ability to play in coverage which the team often covets from their edge players and he often struggles setting the edge against the run.
The team could possibly overlook this except for the underwhelming two sacks he put up during last season. If Wise struggles against some of his younger competition in training camp, he might be looking for work with another team.
1. Brandon Bolden, RB
Branden Bolden has spent much of his time with the Patriots as a core special teams player. He seems to be a favorite of both coach Bill Belichick and his fellow players in the locker room. While he does offer some value as a running back, his best play has come on various special teams units.
Unfortunately for Bolden, the Patriots brought in other candidates who may play similar roles on special teams to what he does. If the team finds him expendable he could be looking to suit up for another team for only the second time in his career. Like Rex Burkhead, the Sony Michel foot injury may give Bolden an extra shot on the roster as insurance. His above-average play on special teams will also factor into any decision Belichick makes.