Deatrich Wise Jr.

Wise can still be a really solid player in the NFL. However, the Patriots seemed to switch to a base 3-4 defense in 2019. This resulted in Wise missing time last year as a healthy scratch. He doesn’t fit as a defensive end or outside linebacker in a 3-4 system.

If New England continues to implement this strategy, Wise could be a trade candidate before the roster cutdown. A team will absolutely pick him up right away, so Belichick and company might as well get something for him even if it’s a late-round pick.

Derek Rivers

Despite being a third-round pick, Rivers was the first player taken by the Patriots in the 2017 draft. A torn ACL ended the defensive end’s rookie season in training camp. He was a healthy scratch through most of 2018 and spent all of 2019 on injured reserve.

So, this year is Rivers’ final chance to show the type of player many thought he could be coming out of Youngstown State. With young pass-rushers like Brandon Uche and Anfernee Jennings finding themselves in the mix, the switch to the 3-4 could end Rivers’ time in New England as well.

Brandon King

King has been a special teams staple for a few years in New England. For a stretch, it felt like it was either King or Matthew Slater making every single tackle on kick or punt coverage.

Last year, King missed the entirety of the season due to a torn quad that he suffered in the preseason. Since his injury, the Patriots have signed and traded for many special teams contributors including Justin Bethel, Adrian Phillips and Cody Davis. The hybrid-linebacker will have to beat out at least one of them and others at depth positions to earn a spot on the 2020 roster.

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