5 ideal scenarios for Patriots in 2019

Here are five ideal scenarios for the Patriots during the 2019 season.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - There's a lot of potential for the New England Patriots in 2019. However, because of injuries, suspensions, and a lack of experience for some of their players, it may be tough for them to reach their ceiling. But that doesn't mean we can't daydream of what can take place during the upcoming season. 

Let's take a look at five ideal scenarios for the Patriots during the 2019 season. 

1) Josh Gordon and Demaryius Thomas return and play at a high level

Demaryius Thomas will be entering his first season in New England, but will likely start off his Patriots tenure on the PUP list because of his recovery from an achilles injury he suffered last year. Josh Gordon is suspended indefinitely from the NFL, but could potentially return if the league reinstates him. In this dream scenario, both players return to the field in 2019 for the Patriots and play to their full potential. 

We've seen how badly New England needed strong play from their wideouts last season, but couldn't quite get it outside of Julian Edelman and Gordon, whose season ended in December because of his suspension. If Thomas and Gordon return and can be extremely productive outside the numbers for New England, that offense will be extremely dangerous and will be one of the best in the league. 

That isn't out of the realm of possibility. However, there are a lot of factors that could determine whether both Thomas and Gordon return and play at a high level.  

2) Jamie Collins returns to an elite level of play 

One of the reasons New England parted ways with Jamie Collins in 2016 via trade is because he reportedly wanted "Von Miller money" in his next contract, which the Patriots were not willing to give him. The Browns were willing to give him that. Why? Because Collins was one of the best linebackers in the league back then. 

Unfortunately for Cleveland, they didn't quite get their money's worth out of Collins, which is why they parted ways with him this offseason after one and a half lackluster years and a strong 2018 campaign.  

Now back in New England, Collins has the chance to get back to where he left off as a Patriot, being an elite linebacker and a strong presence on the edge. In this ideal scenario, Collins returns to his 2015 form and forces New England to give him a ton of playing time. 

3) Sony Michel stays healthy and Damien Harris creates a two-headed monster in the backfield

A loaded backfield on paper for the Patriots flashes a lot of signs for what can be in 2019. But a recent knee scope for Michel and some questions as to who will support him on early downs during the upcoming season leaves room for worry. 

The best case scenario in the backfield is that Michel's knee is fine and doesn't force him to miss time during the season. Along with that, Harris, who was a steal in the third round for New England, supports Michel in early-down work and creates one of the best 1-2 punches in the entire league out of the backfield. It's definitely a possibility, but players like Rams RB Todd Gurley have shown how knee issues for young running backs can impact availability and longevity at the position.   

4) Chase Winovich breaks out in Year 1 playing opposite of Michael Bennett

After the departure of Trey Flowers this offseason, the Patriots have gone with cheaper options at the defensive end position to try and fill the void he left. Signing Michael Bennett in free agency was one move, but drafting Michigan defensive end Chase Winovich on Day 2 was another. 

Winovich can be viewed as the longer-term option at defensive end. The real question is: how long will it take for New England to get high-level production out of him?

Winovich is dealing with a crowded position that is filled with veteran talent, but his ability should allow him to move up the depth chart at an accelerated rate. Ideally, Winovich will claim the starting job opposite of Bennett early in the regular season and give consistent, high-level pressure for a team that struggled to get just that in 2018. 

5) A tight end committee approach creates less of a hole at the position

Not having Rob Gronkowski on the roster certainly creates a hole at the tight end position for the Patriots. However, with players like Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson and Ryan Izzo, the void may not be as big as expected. 

What helped tremendously down the stretch of last season was Gronkowski's ability as a blocker, sealing the outside edge in run plays which helped New England's run game be extremely effective, especially in the postseason. If a mixture of Watson, LaCosse, Anderson, and Izzo can help seal the edge of the offensive line even at a fraction of what Gronkowski was able to do, along with having a consistent presence in the passing game, the Patriots will be just fine at tight end. 

New England doesn't need elite level play from their tight ends. The term to keep in mind for their TE's in 2019: serviceable. That is the most ideal situation at the position.