After winning their 11th straight AFC East title with a 12-4 record in 2019, the New England Patriots suffered a Wild Card Round loss to the Tennessee Titans. Since then, the Patriots have suffered big losses to their team due to free agency and COVID-19 opt outs.
Key Additions: QB Cam Newton
Key Departures: QB Tom Brady, LB Kyle Van Noy, and WR Mohamed Sanu
With a relevantly quiet offseason, let’s take a look at the Patriots starters for 2020.
Offensive Starters:
- QB: Cam Newton
- RB: James White
- RB: Sony Michel
- WR: Julian Edelman
- WR: N’Keal Harry
- TE: Ryan Izzo
- LT: Isaiah Winn
- LG: Joe Thuney
- C: David Andrews
- RG: Shaq Mason
- RT: Jermaine Eluemunor
Defensive/Special Teams Starters:
- LE: Deatrich Wise Jr.
- DT: Lawrence Guy
- DT: Adam Butler
- RE: John Simon
- LB: Shilique Calhoun
- LB: Ja’Whaun Bentley
- LB: Brandon Copeland
- CB: Stephon Gilmore
- CB: Jason McCourty
- S: Devin McCourty
- S: Terrence Brooks
- K: Nick Folk
- P: Jack Bailey
Strongest Position: Cornerback
The Patriots have the league’s best cornerback on their roster in Stephon Gilmore. He is a two-time First-Team All-Pro and led the league in passes defensed (20) and interceptions (6). Since joining the Patriots in 2017, Gilmore has 10 interceptions and 49 passes defensed. Jason McCourty joined the Patriots in 2018 and has played a big role on defense.
Weakest Position: Linebacker
The Patriots have suffered huge blows at linebacker since the end of last season. Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts left and signed with the Dolphins in free agency, while Jamie Collins signed a three-year deal with the Lions. Then, one of the defensive captains, Dont’a Hightower, opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. The production of the linebacker unit is going to take a huge hit this season.
The Patriots are expected to take a step back this season. The offense doesn’t have multiple reliable weapons for Newton and the defense has lost multiple big pieces. I expect the Patriots to be in the mix for a Wild Card spot, but the Patriots dominance in the AFC East will come to an end.
