The New England Patriots added 10 rookies in the 2020 NFL Draft, and signed a handful more afterwards, which should inject youth into one of the league’s older rosters in 2019. Tom Brady is gone. Stephen Gostkowski is gone. And New England seems intent upon replacing them with younger players.
The youth movement could continue into training camp, with a number of veterans losing their jobs to this rookie class. What’s more, there is a decent free agent class of low-budget additions who should be in competition for roster spots — but they may also be on the bubble.
Here’s a look at which veterans will be fighting for their jobs.
Matt LaCosse, TE
The arrival of two rookies could bring an end to LaCosse’s tenure with New England. It’s likely that rookie tight end Devin Asiasi arrives to the Patriots as a bigger contributor than LaCosse, who struggled to make an impact in 2019. LaCosse has as good a chance as anyone to get the third tight end spot behind Asiasi and Dalton Keene, the other 2020 third-round draft choice at tight end. But after LaCosse’s supremely rough season, New England could go the way of one of the undrafted rookie tight ends for the third spot.