Tom Brady
Top 10
This is another reminder of why Welker's recovery -- and when he might return -- will be a big story. Vollmer is ranked ahead of any other offensive lineman as he projects as a starter at right tackle in 2010 and the team's likely left tackle of the future, protecting Tom Brady's blind side. Butler also finds himself in the top 10 because he's a likely starter at the premier left cornerback spot. Although guard isn't a premier position, seeing Mankins in this area highlights his importance to the team.
1. Tom Brady, QB 6. Brandon Meriweather, S
2. Wes Welker, WR 7. Sebastian Vollmer, OT
3. Jerod Mayo, ILB 8. Logan Mankins, G
4. Vince Wilfork, DL 9. Darius Butler, CB
5. Randy Moss, WR 10. Tully Banta-Cain, OLB
Julian Edelman
Nos. 11-20
Edelman's (pictured) presence shines a spotlight on his remarkable rise from a 2009 seventh-round draft choice learning to play receiver to a player who will be relied upon as a key cog in the offense, especially if Welker is not ready for the start of the regular season. Chung is right there as well, as the Patriots will be counting on their top draft choice from '09 to emerge.
11. Leigh Bodden, CB 16. Patrick Chung, S
12. Ty Warren, DE 17. Devin McCourty, CB
13. Matt Light, OT 18. Laurence Maroney, RB
14. Kevin Faulk, RB 19. Stephen Neal, G
15. Julian Edelman, WR 20. Mike Wright, DL
Rob Gronkowski
Nos. 21-30
At one point this offseason, the Patriots had a bare cupboard at tight end, but now the position is stocked with a trio that falls into this area on the roster. All three should make the club, and all three have a good chance of being active on the 45-man game-day roster. Gronkowski (pictured) gets top billing because of his draft status (second round), although he might not contribute as much as the others right away.
21. Nick Kaczur, OL 26. Derrick Burgess, OLB
22. Dan Koppen, C 27. Jermaine Cunningham, OLB
23. Stephen Gostkowski, K 28. Aaron Hernandez, TE
24. Brandon Tate, WR 29. Alge Crumpler, TE
25. Rob Gronkowski, TE 30. Sammy Morris, RB
Guyton
Nos. 31-40
One of the intriguing position battles in training camp will be at inside linebacker, where Guyton (pictured), McKenzie and Spikes will vie for playing time next to Mayo. At this point, it's a challenge to see how that will shake out, but all three should be on the club, contributing in some form.
31. Gerard Warren, DE 36. Ron Brace, DE
32. Gary Guyton, ILB 37. Tyrone McKenzie, ILB
33. James Sanders, S 38. Brandon Spikes, ILB
34. Brandon McGowan, S 39. Jonathan Wilhite, CB
35. Torry Holt, WR 40. Brian Hoyer, QB
Aiken
Nos. 41-50
Special-teams value starts to come into focus around this layer of the roster. Aiken (pictured) has served as a special-teams captain, while Woods tied for the team-high in special-teams tackles last season. It's a challenge to project a veteran like Lewis who has yet to play in a Patriots-type scheme, so he could shoot up the ranks, or down, once training camp begins.
41. Fred Taylor, RB 46. Zoltan Mesko, P
42. Taylor Price, WR 47. Mark LeVoir, OT
43. Sam Aiken, WR 48. Pierre Woods, OLB
44. Myron Pryor, DL 49. Matthew Slater, WR
45. Damione Lewis, DL 50. Rob Ninkovich, OLB
Arrington
Nos. 51-60
More special-teams competition shows up this area (Arrington, Lockett, Murrell), as well as the team's continuing process of developing young offensive linemen. This is the area where players project to be on the roster bubble, and where coaches are often projecting development when considering whether to devote a roster spot to them.
51. Ted Larsen, C 56. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB
52. Kyle Arrington, CB 57. Bret Lockett, S
53. Jake Ingram, LS 58. Shawn Crable, OLB
54. Dan Connolly, C/G 59. Marques Murrell, OLB
55. Thomas Welch, OT 60. Rich Ohrnberger, C/G
Wheatley
Nos. 61-70
Wheatley (pictured), the 2008 second-round draft choice, could have a tough time making the club if everyone is healthy. As a projected fifth corner at this point, special-teams contributions will be key, and he hasn't been a major factor in that area. Williams' versatility to play fullback could make him a sleeper candidate to rise up the ranks.
61. Terrence Wheatley, CB 66. Eric Alexander, ILB
62. Zac Robinson, QB 67. Rob Myers, TE
63. Thomas Williams, ILB/FB 68. David Patten, WR
64. Ryan Wendell, C/G 69. Darryl Richard, DE
65. George Bussey, OL 70. Brandon Deaderick, DE
Farnham
Nos. 71-82
The Patriots drafted 12 players in 2009 and another 12 in 2010, which will make it tough for any undrafted player to break through. This group is comprised mostly of rookie free agents, including former Brown receiver Farnham (pictured), and since they face long odds for a roster spot, a more realistic goal is sticking on the practice squad.
71. Kade Weston, DE 77. Terrence Johnson, CB
72. Dane Fletcher, ILB 78. John Wise, OL
73. Thomas Clayton, RB 79. Ross Ventrone, S
74. Darnell Jenkins, WR 80. Adrian Grady, DL
75. Kyle Love, DL 81. Buddy Farnham, WR
76. Sergio Brown, S 82. Chris Taylor, RB
If Brady is so important, you would think that he would be able to work with any WRs. Pretty sure they won 3 SBs without Moss and with pretty crappy WRs.
