Patriots Pre-Training Camp Depth Chart: Offense; Tackle Trouble?

With training camp just days away, Patriots Country takes a stab at the New England Patriots' offensive depth chart.

The postseason is the expectation for the New England Patriots this season. They already possess one of the top defenses in the NFL, yet will need major improvements from their offense if Bill Belichick is to finally win a playoff game without Tom Brady.

The Patriots have questions that need to be answered at both tackle positions along with receiver. With the start of training camp on Wednesday, we will take a look at the depth chart currently looks like for the Patriots' offense.

QB: Mac Jones/ Bailey Zappe/ Trace McSorley

This shouldn't be controversial, but it is. As the old saying goes, "if you want to be the man, you have to beat the man." That saying is true for the Patriots at quarterback. If Zappe is going to be the starter in week one, he needs to beat out Jones convincingly. Until then, Jones will be listed as the Patriots starting quarterback, despite the rumors of a rocky relationship between him and coach Bill Belichick.

RB: Rhamondre Stevenson/ Ty Montgomery/ Pierre Strong Jr./ Kevin Harris 

Stevenson is the workhorse. And, unless New England signs Dalvin Cook, the veteran Montgomery will get most of the time as the third-down back.

WR: DeVante Parker / JuJu Smith-Schuster / Kendrick Bourne / Tyquan Thornton

It would've been nice to see DeAndre Hopkins slotted in as the No. 1 receiver for this Patriots offense. Yet, Smith-Schuster proved to be the only addition to the receiving corps this offseason, making offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien's top priority to get more out of a set of players that have underperformed in recent years.

That will start with Kendrick Bourne, who, after having a strong debut season in Foxboro, was put in the doghouse of the past offensive play-calling regime and seemingly fed scraps last season. At his best, Bourne can be a versatile weapon for the Patriots, playing inside and out.

TE: Mike Gesicki / Hunter Henry

There is no "position battle" here, as the expectation with O'Brien calling the shots is that the Patriots will heavily lean on these two tight ends. Gesicki jumped ship to New England this offseason from the Miami Dolphins and is looking to put up the numbers he did in 2021 and 2020. 

LT: Trent Brown/ Calvin Anderson

This may arguably be the most important battle to watch throughout training camp after a rough season from Brown. The 30-year-old is coming off a season where he was benched at one point as he committed 13 penalties while allowing eight sacks. For this offense to succeed and return to the postseason, they need better play out of their blindside protector for Jones.

LG: Cole Strange/ James Ferentz

Last year's first-round draft pick hopes to make big strides in Year 2.

C: David Andrews/ Jake Andrews 

This will someday be fourth-round draft pick Jake's job. But not yet.

RG: Michael Onwenu

Although he's starting training camp on the PUP list, Onwenu is one of the team's best players and he is entrenched at this position.

RT: Conor McDermott/ Riley Reiff

It isn't very comforting to see both offensive tackle spots highlighted as position battles, but Patriot fans may feel more comfortable following McDermott finishing last season as the starter at right tackle. McDermott started six games last fall and generally garnered positive reviews, yet the Patriots brought in the veteran Reiff to provide competition for the spot. 

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