Will Hastings is a name Patriots fans should keep an eye on. Hastings is an undrafted free agent who played for Auburn. His best year came with Jarrett Stidham was under center in 2017. That was also the year Stidham showed he had first round talent.
Hastings can help the Patriots as he is a Julian Edelman clone in the slot. Hastings can also help on special teams and can kick an onside when needed. What gives him the early advantage is his chemistry with Stidham and the fact the Belichick has been scouting him since high school.
With the shortened offseason, the Patriots are going to need guys that can connect with Stidham and have an early impact. As long as he knows the playbook, that will be Hastings. Everyone saw the connection between Stidham and Meyers, that's what one can expect to see with Hastings and Stidham.
Rashod Berry is another player that at the moment has a good upside. The tight end has reportedly been listed as a linebacker by the Patriots. A position he played early in his college career.
The Patriots are thin and still searching for answers at both positions. Berry is a freak athlete and has potential to make the depth chart at either position. The ability to play both helps the Patriots fill needs while taking up fewer spots. Injuries have plagued the Patriots the past few years, so this alone gives him an early advantage on the team.
When one thinks of what to expect from Berry, think of former Patriot Jake Bequette who played defensive and tight end. The only question is will Belichick get more production out of the former Ohio State Buckeye than he did out of his former 2nd round pick? Keep in mind Belichick has better luck with UDFAs than early draft picks.
Ryan Izzo was drafted by the Patriots in 2018 and is still on his rookie contract. Belichick red shirted Izzo for the 2018 season and from week 11 on during the 2019 season.
Izzo only played weeks one through six of 2019 before a concussion hurt his development. Izzo spent weeks seven, eight, nine, and ten out due to effects of his conxission. Izzo was targeted six times between weeks five and six and had his best production.
If not for the injury, Izzo would've put up more catches and yards then both Watson and Lacosse who played in almost twice as many games. That's with Brady refusing to throw to him the first four games when open.
The only knock on Izzo, is his blocking slipped in 2019 and one can be assured he is working on that; however not all tight ends are blocking tight ends. Look at Kelce, Hollister, and Jimmy Graham; just to name a few. Izzo's hands maybe all he needs.
With Asiasi, Keene and Berry being rookies, the Patriots are going to need a veteran. Being his third season, this season will have Izzo playing with something to prove. Being a cheaper option to boot, Izzo fills the void for veteran experience in 2020.
Hjalte Froholdt was a 2019 fourth round draft steal by the Patriots. To make sure he did not lose him, Belichick redshirted him on the IR.
The Patriots normally carry three backup offensive linemen and to get an early jump on the roster, Froholdt was one of the first Patriots to start actively training on his own. He went to a summit for offensive players to be coached on areas the Patriots thought he needed working on.
As an Interior offensive lineman, Froholdt will enter camp ahead of the rest of the backups and should be able to fend them off. There are several players fighting for the two Interior offensive line spots. Having a year of knowledge of the Patriots playbook and system will be all he needs.
Nick Coe is another Auburn beast from 2019. The Patriots are thin at both defensive tackle and defensive end/edge. Coe is versatile and can play anywhere on the line.
Coe is 6'5", 280 pounds. He is a Richard Seymour style lineman. The Patriots had trouble stopping the run, whether it was up the middle or around the edge. Coe has the ability to eliminate that.
Coe can also drop play linebacker but is in the slower side for a linebacker, this gives the Patriots versatility to scheme as they can have him drop back off into coverage against slower tight ends and allow a linebacker or defensive back to blitz.
The Patriots have many people who could be on this list from Brian Lewerke to Rex Burkhead to Dedric Wise Jr. to Joejuan Williams, the Patriots are that loaded at depth. If the Patriots meet for the preseason, there will.be some of the most exciting battles to take place in a long time and no shortage of stories to talk about.
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