New England Patriots depth chart: Rob Gronkowski on first team

The New England Patriots released their first depth chart of the preseason on Aug. 3 ahead of their Aug. 7 preseason opener against Washington. The depth chart shows Rob Gronkowski's return to the first-string offense as he tries to return for Week One following ACL surgery.

The New England Patriots released their first depth chart of the preseason on Aug. 3 ahead of their Aug. 7 preseason opener against Washington. The depth chart shows Rob Gronkowski's return to the first-string offense as he tries to return for Week One following ACL surgery.

Rookies are listed at the bottom of the depth chart. First-round pick Dominique Easley is listed as the fourth-string defensive tackle and second-round pick Jimmy Garoppolo is behind quarterbacks Tom Brady and Ryan Mallett. Despite receiving praise from coach Bill Belichick and Brady, rookie running back James White is listed on the third-team.

Depth chart:

Offense

QB: Tom Brady | Ryan Mallett | Jimmy Garoppolo

​RB 1: Stevan Ridley | Brandon Bolden | James Develin

RB 2: Shane Vereen | Jonas Gray | James White

WR 1: Danny Amendola | Kenbrell Thompkins | Josh Boyce

WR 2: Julian Edelman | Aaron Dobson | Brandon LeFell

​TE: Rob Gronkowski | Michael Hoomanawanui | D.J. Williams | Justin Jones/Asa Watson

LT: Nate Solder | Marcus Cannon | Jordan Devey | Chris Martin

LG: Logan Mankins | Josh Kline | Jon Halapio

​C: Ryan Wendell | Chris Barker | Braxston Cave | Bryan Stork

RG: Dan Connolly | Josh Kline | Jon Halapio

RT: Sebastian Vollmer | Marcus Cannon | Cameron Fleming

Defense

LDE: Rob Ninkovich | Jake Bequette | Michael Buchanan | Dominique Easley

DT: Vince Wilfork | Sealver Siliga | Joe Vellano | Eathyn Manumaleuna

​DT: Tommy Kelly | Chris Jones | Marcus Forston |Dominique Easley/L.T. Tuipulotu

​RDE: Chandler Jones | Will Smith | Zach Moore

LB: Jamie Collins | James Anderson | Steve Beauharnais | Deontae Skinner

LB: Jerod Mayo | Chris White | Ja’Gared Davis | Cameron Gordon

LB: Dont’a Hightower | Darius Fleming | Taylor McCuller

​CB: Darrelle Revis | Logan Ryan | Justin Green | Travis Hawkins/Malcolm Butler

CB: Brandon Browner | Alfonzo Dennard | Kyle Arrington | Jamea Thomas

S: Duron Harmon | Patrick Chung | Kanorris Davis | Daxton Swanson

S: Devin McCourty | Tavon Wilson | Nate Ebner | Shamiel Gary

Special Teams

K: Stephen Gostkowski

​P: Ryan Allen

PR: Julian Edelman | Danny Amendola

​KR: Josh Boyce | Matthew Slater | Shane Vereen

​LS: Danny Aiken | Tyler Ott